Sometimes, you'll hear a Rock or Pop song and think "Damn, that's good but it would sound so much better by a different band/in a different style". Well, here are ten cases where I thought exactly that! In the first of this week's blog posts, I'll be writing about ten songs that I believe would sound even better if tackled by another set of musicians, whether that means they'd faithfully record a rendition of the track with their signature sound OR they'd completely rebuild the foundations of the song from the ground up in a brand new style.
The songs I've picked to be covered by different bands come from a variety of genres so I'm not limiting the originals to JUST Rock or Pop. The cover versions will be Rock or Metal but I'm hoping at the very least, this post will introduce some viewers to a new way of thinking about music, potentially giving them more joy from hearing songs as they imagine riffs and melodies played on different instruments or with a new vocalist behind the mic.
It should go without saying that this is entirely based around my opinion and that at the time of writing this blog, none of these covers actually exist. This is a purely hypothetical post; a musical thought experiment that you may or may not agree with that is in no way meant to shit all over the original songs UNLESS I state otherwise. As a result, I might include covering bands that are no longer recording music or have had new members join that don't necessarily represent the sound that I had in mind when thinking about them covering certain songs. To make things easier, I've included a Spotify playlist of the original songs and examples of music by different bands that have been responsible for my opinions here at the bottom of this post which you can listen to once the sound of me forcefully scraping the bottom of the barrel has passed.
1. "Jesus He Knows Me" - Avenged Sevenfold
Original by Genesis (1991)
I don't mind the music of Avenged Sevenfold; to me, they're a serviceable modern Heavy Metal band with a few belters and a lot of angsty crap for teens BUT some of their bigger, louder hits with double bass drumming and furious guitar solos are great. To me, "Jesus He Knows Me" is a good Pop Rock song with a catchy melody but a little too light to enjoy to the max. Genesis did a fine job of gathering all the materials; they wrote some decent lyrics, played great melodies that suit the song well and did the best they could. HOWEVER, what the song needs is a more aggressive sound to really drive home the "fuck you" subtext the lyrics contain in their damning take on evangelical con artists.
I've always wanted to hear a Heavy Metal cover of this track with double bass and more complex guitar work to keep the momentum of the song going and I feel that Avenged Sevenfold could do a fine job of that (so could Disturbed, but they've already done a Metal cover of Genesis). Plus, I reckon the abrasive sound of M. Shadows' voice would fit into the vocal melody of this song quite well; it's not a challenging track to sing so it doesn't require a vocalist capable of falsetto or long sustained lines, just one who can carry a tune. All in all, I think an Avenged Sevenfold cover that maintains and then enhances the energy from the original could be awesome, so long as they're not TOO faithful to the point that they daren't add any guitar solos or frills.
2. "Love Lies Bleeding" - Rush
Original by Elton John (1973)
NOTE: If you're listening to this on the Spotify player, you'll need to skip to around about 5:36 to hear "Love Lies Bleeding"; you don't need to bother with "Funeral For A Friend".
This is one that I may need to rethink as to whether it'd be "better" than the original but I'd still be very interested in hearing Rush tackle this cracking Elton song, especially since the original Elton John track has many elements that are typical of your standard Rush track. The guitar tone sounds pretty damn similar to Lifeson's, the active bass screams Geddy Lee and I can imagine Geddy's voice, albeit adapted slightly to suit his vocal style.
The only thing that stops me from thinking this is cover would be a surefire success is the use of piano. Rush have definitely been known for using keys in their music (fuckin' "Tom Sawyer", anyone?) but to me, Rush are more synth and less piano. However, the piano solo could very easily be played on acoustic guitar, something Rush have done MANY times. Combine that acoustic solo with the full electric sound of Lifeson unchained (especially during the outro) and you may have a damn fine cover. For more evidence that this Glam Rock song would make a fine Prog Rock cover, seek out the Dream Theater cover of the same song.
3. "Oh Well (Part One)" - The Who
Original by Fleetwood Mac (1969)
This song has had a shitload of cover versions over the years but to me, there has yet to be a perfect version of this song. Even the Fleetwood Mac original has a tepid solo that sounds great the first couple of times but would be much better with more energy behind it. To me, the perfect version of this song must have the following features: clean acoustic guitar riffs in the intro, tight vocal melodies (none of that loose, freeform shit that some Blues artists do; keep the momentum going), heavy percussion during the breakdown, sweet licks during the electric guitar solo, MAYBE a second solo at the end instead of Part 2. To this date, I have yet to find a cover version that satisfies all of those criteria. So who do I think is capable of rising to the challenge? I don't know. Who do I think COULD have risen to the challenge before they lost their magic? The Who...or Led Zeppelin, but let's say The Who for now.
They've proven that they can play clean acoustic guitar riffs with songs like "Pinball Wizard" and "Behind Blue Eyes", Daltry and Townshend have demonstrated tight vocal performances across their back catalogue, Keith Moon knows how to make an entrance when appropriate and "Young Man Blues" from their Live At Leeds record shows they know how to play a kickass breakdown with plenty of great solos/riffs. Back in their prime, The Who could've blown this song out of the water but sadly, I doubt we'll ever get a perfect version of this song. At least we've had some great attempts by bands like Aerosmith, Tom Petty The Rockets and even The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra which, to me, arguably comes the closest.
4. "Brown Sugar" - Thin Lizzy
Original by The Rolling Stones (1971)
OK, I know for a fact that this would've been amazing. Much like everything The Rolling Stones released after 1970, "Brown Sugar" suffers from sounding bland and slow compared to Rock released around that time. However, the song has a great riff and catchy melodies, just played in the most bland possible way. This got me thinking about another song with fine riffs that was played in a boring, tiresome way; "Rosalie" - Bob Seger. If you've never heard his original version of that song, don't bother. It sucks. Even his live versions suck. Fortunately, a little Irish band named Thin Lizzy took the song and covered it for their Fighting album. Granted their studio version wasn't amazing either but when they played it live, as recorded for the Live And Dangerous record, my God. It was fan-bloody-tastic!
They sped up the tempo, added some fun little solos and brought the fucking fire. Lynott's voice sounds incredible too, easily worthy of carrying Bob Seger's lyrics. Now imagine them, on the same tour on the same stage, belting out a rendition of "Brown Sugar". Slightly sped up, heavier riffing, an actual vocalist who can sing performing instead of Mick Jagger, it would be better in every single way. But no, let's keep listening to the Rolling Stones version instead of a Rock song that actually, ya know, rocks. Woooooooooo bland sugar.
5. "Hello" - Shinedown
Original by Adele (2015)
I've said in the past that Chris Cornell could've sung an amazing cover of this track similar to the Disturbed cover of "The Sound Of Silence". However, that ain't happening until we can clone him from hair samples and lizards to fill in missing genetic details so it's time to find an alternative; a band that can bring the thunder with a vocalist who sounds sort of like Chris Cornell. Oh, hey, a band like that happens to exist! They're called Shinedown and yeah, they'd also do a great job with this song. Shinedown have shown that they can belt out Cornellian vocals ("Heroes", "Black Cadillac") but also take some time out to record sensitive, emotionally driven tracks that aren't really in the Rock genre ("Misfits", "Through The Ghost").
The main thing the cover would need is a strong vocal performance. The rest of the band can basically take the day off whilst Brent Smith does his work, although the piano could be covered with muted guitar chords...or just piano. I'm not certain if Shinedown's cover would be "better" than the original but I'd still give it a listen, provided Brent doesn't phone it in. This song would be a great opportunity for him to push himself, as I can't recall a softer Shinedown song where he really pushes himself to reach similar emotional heights that Adele does. However, based on their cover of "Simple Man" - Lynyrd Skynyrd, I don't think it'll be an impossible feat. Interestingly enough, Shinedown have actually covered "Someone Like You" - Adele in live concerts before!
6. "The Moon Upstairs" - Poison
Original by Mott The Hoople (1971)
Mott The Hoople are largely known for their Glam Rock singles such as "All The Young Dudes" and "Roll Away The Stone" released around the end of the band's career. However, before David Bowie got involved, Mott The Hoople were mostly a standard 70s Hard/Classic Rock outfit with some heavy tracks like "The Moon Upstairs". It's a good song but the mix is a little weak and the fuzzy guitar/organ combo means it's difficult to appreciate the riff when it sounds like it was recorded in a pub instead of a recording studio. A good cover of this song would keep the structure the same but basically have each instrument and vocal melody sound a lot clearer, so a band with decent production values would do a solid job.
So why Poison instead of any other Hard Rock/(Hair) Metal band? Even though Poison have been ridiculed lately for their lame music and weak guitarist, their covers album Poison'd has some solid covers of 70s/80s Rock tracks, each with clearer guitar without pissing all over the original material. I feel like Poison could do this song justice both musically and vocally, as I can imagine hearing the song's riffs played in their style and it doesn't sound bad. Of course, there are probably lesser known bands that would do an excellent job at covering this song but I wouldn't bet against Poison doing a solid job too.
7. "Don't Stop Believin'" - Billy Idol
Original by Journey (1981)
I've gone on record as saying that I think this song is overrated as fuck, even if that is a slightly overrated opinion. I do not get why everybody adores this song when it's easily one of Journey's weaker Rock songs BUT I will concede that when sped up slightly, "Don't Stop Believin'" becomes pretty awesome (just like "Night Moves" - Bob Seger and "Man In The Box" - Alice In Chains). I would love a cover version of this song slightly sped up but with similar guitar tones, which got me thinking about other 80s Rock artists who could take this song on...like Billy Idol.
Imagine a version of "Don't Stop Believin'" but with a little more of a "Rebel Yell" twist. Slightly faster and with softer vocals from Mr Idol during the verses. I'll admit that the chorus might sound weaker due to Idol's rougher singing compared to Steve Perry's but everything else from the guitar solos to the build up throughout the song would be great. I'm not sure if the piano intro would be better played on keyboard or a special guitar tone but I would still love to hear this version one day, especially since this is easily more likely than most of the others in this list.
8. "Billie Jean" - Ozzy Osbourne
Original by Michael Jackson (1982)
This blog post probably should've featured more Pop songs reimagined as Rock/Metal covers but since I'm not as familiar with Pop that's in desperate need of reworking compared to Rock, this is what you've got. However, I can say with certainty that "Billie Jean" would be a great Metal song if handled properly. Hell, many Rock/Metal bands have tried to record heavier versions of this song (and I'm not counting the terrible Chris Cornell version) and they're all relatively decent. However, I reckon that 90s era Ozzy could've rocked this song in a way none of those bands could've even touched.
Imagine the opening bass on rhythm guitar with subdued bass underneath, maybe some keys/synth accompaniments underneath. Then you've got the string melody played on lead guitar before Ozzy's vocals come in. It might not have been as tight as MJ's originals but you know the sound of Ozzy's voice with each lyric dripping out of his lips would've sounded pretty cool. Then we get to the chorus, which I believe would've translated really well into Ozzy's proper singing voice. Songs like "Miracle Man" and "Perry Mason" are proof that Ozzy could sing on occasion and when you factor in the inevitable guitar solo this cover would've got? I'll say no more.
9. "Antisocial" - Samson
Original by Trust (1980)
If you're not familiar with "Antisocial" - Trust, it's a French Hard Rock/Heavy Metal song from the 80s by the band that Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain used to be in. Most people will know the French original by Trust or the English cover by Anthrax (which is a little too Punk/Thrash to me) but Trust actually recorded one with English lyrics. Same music, just without all the French words...and it sucks. Well, the chorus does. Their vocals are terrible enough to ruin the otherwise decent verses and great music. With that in mind, we need a cover of this song with music as close as possible to the original and vocals by someone who can sing them properly IN ENGLISH (although the French version is fine after a few listens).
Enter Samson! Their music sounds kinda close to Trust (particularly the guitar tones in songs like "Hunted" and "Riding With The Angels") but with a different member of Iron Maiden involved. Bruce Dickinson was with Samson before he joined Iron Maiden, channelling his best Ian Gillan imitation for most of their hits. I can imagine Bruce kicking ass covering the vocals for this song before he got into his operatic phase. Then again, I think Bruce could do justice to most songs he covered, regardless of whether it's with Iron Maiden, Samson or his solo career.
10. "Bust A Move" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Original by Young MC (1989)
The last song in the list and there's actually some justice behind this choice, which I'll explain in a bit. Most of you will probably know the Young MC track but did you know that the bassline throughout the track was written and played by RHCP bassist Flea? You did? Well did you also know that he got paid a pathetic amount of money for his work on the song too, even claiming that the record label lied about how much work he actually did when it came to writing and playing the riff? My point is that even though the original will be more well known, I think it'd be pretty good to hear the Red Hot Chili Peppers play a Funk Rock version with Flea on bass again.
However, ignoring all the financial bullshit about this track, I reckon mid-90s RHCP would do a damn fine job of covering it. Their cover of "Love Rollercoaster" in Alt-Funk style was decent and tracks like "Give It Away" prove that the band aren't against quickfire rap-like vocals. Naturally, it wouldn't be a serious cover like some of these but then, neither are many other RHCP covers.
So that's it. I'm sure there are songs I've missed that would make amazing covers but that's what you're here for! If there are Pop/Rock/Metal songs that you think would make sweet Rock/Metal covers, let me know via Twitter or the comment section.
COMING SOON: More video game posts and (hopefully soon) album reviews.
Oh, and here's the Spotify playlist!
Showing posts with label Rush. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rush. Show all posts
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Thursday, 21 September 2017
Tenology: Brilliant Bassists In Rock/Metal
Continuing my series of Tenology posts looking at skilled musicians, this week's list focuses on bass players who stand out as being particularly memorable or talented at their profession. The bassline in your typical Rock song is usually fairly straightforward, designed to add a bit of extra weight to the music by thudding out a steady rhythm without really contributing anything special. However, some artists choose to shoot for the stars, boasting the technical skill to play bass solos or play bass whilst simultaneously singing.
This opinion based list will look at ten bassists whom I admire for doing more than just...well, playing the bass. As always, this isn't a "Top 10 Greatest/Favourite Bass Players" piece; it's just a sample of ten bassists I would personally rate highly. If there are any bass players that you believe deserve to be here over others who are absent from this list, feel free to let me know in the comments or via Twitter although keep in mind that their absence doesn't necessarily mean I think they're not worthy of recognition.
1. Billy Sheehan
Whilst there are some famous examples of great bassists who'll be making an appearance a bit later on in the list, Billy Sheehan's technical skill probably surpasses every entry on this list combined. His tapping techniques and all-round versatility even rival most guitarists but sadly, he's one of those musicians who's immense talent never fully made it to the studio. Sure, you've got songs like "Addicted To That Rush" - Mr. Big with exceptional bass but most of Mr Big's better known tracks are usually driven by guitar or vocals. Compare this to live covers of "Burn" - Deep Purple and "Baba O'Riley" - The Who where Billy flawlessly shreds out the organ and violin solos respectively and you'll ask yourself why they never truly utilised his skills off-stage.
2. Cliff Burton
Whilst Metallica songs are generally known for their epic guitar riffs and diminishing quality over time, their first three albums also contain tracks with surprisingly prominent bass. There's "Orion", a track named due to the spacey bass solo, "For Whom The Bell Tolls" with the creepy bass riff in the intro and of course "(Anesthesia)--Pulling Teeth", a four minute fuzzy bass solo off the debut that could damn near be confused for guitar if not for the vocal intro. Cliff also proved to be capable of keeping up with Hetfield and Hammett, matching and occasionally improving on their guitar riffs for most of their signature songs. Unfortunately, Cliff passed away in 1986 after the tour bus they were travelling in skidded out of control and crashed, crushing him in the process. His riffs may not have stood out in the same way as the guitar melodies but it's fair to say the band's music was never quite the same after his passing.
3. Steve Harris
Steve's been regarded as the greatest bass player of all time and whilst I don't know if I'd personally agree with that, he definitely deserves a spot on this list. He's the soul of Iron Maiden, not just in his bass playing but in his songwriting and musical knowledge too. He's usually the driving force behind each musical decision the band has made and thankfully, he's still going strong to this date. Whilst Iron Maiden's success is down to a team effort rather than any one member of the band standing out, Steve's bass is always present among the guitars, adding the final puzzle piece to songs like "The Trooper" and "Run To The Hills" that wouldn't be complete without him.
4. Chris Squire
I'm not the biggest fan of Yes but if you listen to some of their better tracks, one thing's for certain; the bass stands out like a DVD in a game collection. Tracks like "Roundabout" and "Starship Trooper" contain basslines almost as complex as the guitar melodies and even though their Pop-Prog phase focused a bit more on the guitar hooks and vocals, you can still hear Chris keeping things steady. His aggressive, dynamic playing style has gone on to influence several of the bassists on this list and even though he sadly passed away in 2015, his work across all Yes albums lives on as a gold standard for Prog Rock (and indeed standard Rock) bassists for the rest of time.
5. Geezer Butler
From one of Prog Rock's most influential bassists to Heavy Metal's, Geezer Butler is responsible for giving Black Sabbath the weight it needed to be one of the biggest Metal bands on the planet. His heavy riffs and lyrical influences ranging from religion to dystopian science fiction gave the band the apocalyptic doom vibe that would go on to form the cultural perception of Heavy Metal for years to come. Geezer stuck with Black Sabbath through the Dio years and took part in their recent farewell tour, also contributing to some of Ozzy Osbourne's solo albums in the 90s but nobody really cares about that. The main thing is his work with Black Sabbath, giving us excellent songs such as "Children Of The Grave", "War Pigs" and of course "N.I.B" to inspire generations of bassists for decades.
6. John Entwistle
Generally regarded as one of Rock's greatest bass players, John Entwistle truly knew how to turn bass up to 11. With full treble and thundering dynamics, every riff and lick laid down by John sounded like a distant roar and when he wanted to shred, boy could he shred. The most common example of his exceptional skills is probably "My Generation" with its iconic bass solo but tracks on the Live At Leeds album showcase his ability to keep up with Townshend and Moon on guitar and drums respectively. Once again, this incredible musician is no longer with us, dying in 2002 due to a drug overdose.
7. Geddy Lee
The other great Prog Rock bassist on this list and probably the go-to example of everyone's favourite Rock bassist in general. Rush songs are known for their great bass melodies and Geddy's unique vocals that he flawlessly pulls off whilst playing the relatively complex basslines. Not only that but he's also responsible for the keyboard and synth for each track, something the band is equally reliant on for some of their signature hits. Songs like "Fly By Night" and "Tom Sawyer" showcase Geddy's supreme multi-tasking abilities whilst tracks such as "Freewill" and "YYZ" contain multiple bass solos, sometimes underneath the guitar one. He's probably one of my top bassists and there's a strong chance he's one of yours too.
8. John Deacon
When it comes to the best members of Queen, John Deacon tends to be at the bottom of most conventional rankings (especially when you consider Roger Taylor's vocal work on News Of The World, arguably providing better Hard Rock vocals than Freddie). However, when you actually listen to the bass in most Queen songs, there's a lot to be admired. It may not be technical or balanced with complex vocals but there's something to be said for simplistic yet permanently catchy basslines. Some of Queen's best known tracks like "Another One Bites The Dust" and "Under Pressure" are built entirely around John Deacon with the rest of the band members following his lead. Unfortunately, after Freddie Mercury's death and subsequent tribute show, John retired from music and hasn't played with Queen or been involved in any of their post-Freddie projects for about 20 years now. Fair play, I suppose.
9. John McVie
For the most part, this post has basically consisted of fairly obvious choices that you'd find populating the higher end of most great bass player lists. However, rather than going for one of the bigger Rock/Metal names that everyone already admires, I thought I'd dedicate a slot to classic Fleetwood Mac bassist, John McVie. He deserves a place for co-writing and performing on "The Chain" alone, a song containing one of the greatest bass riffs ever written, but he's also shown off his talents for other great Fleetwood Mac tracks too such as "Oh Well", "World Turning" and "Tusk". All in all, John's probably the most underrated bassist on this list so feel free to blast some Fleetwood Mac with the bass turned all the way up to show him some extra love.
10. Flea
As always, the last musician on the list is something a bit special. Flea (real name Michael Balzary) has played bass with the Red Hot Chili Peppers since their debut in 1984 and also acted in a few films such as The Big Lebowski and the Back To The Future sequels. However, his work as the RHCP bassist will always reign supreme as his blend of funky licks and heavy riffs have helped put the band on the musical map. You can always tell it's a RHCP song when you hear his soulful, often dominant bass melodies but if you want a few prime examples to check out over the course of their career...well, aside from practically every song they've ever written, I'd recommend "By The Way", "Higher Ground", "Soul To Squeeze", "Walkabout" and "Dreams Of A Samurai".
Even though these are ten bass players whom I've deemed worthy enough to focus specific paragraphs about, there are still some bassists that deserve honourable mentions:
Paul McCartney
John Myung
Phil Lynott
Lemmy
Every Funk bassist
Did I miss anyone out by focusing too much on big name bass players? Let me know who ranks on your personal list with some samples of their work to check out.
COMING SOON: The Salentino Cuts - UFO, an album review or showdown post; I haven't decided yet.
This opinion based list will look at ten bassists whom I admire for doing more than just...well, playing the bass. As always, this isn't a "Top 10 Greatest/Favourite Bass Players" piece; it's just a sample of ten bassists I would personally rate highly. If there are any bass players that you believe deserve to be here over others who are absent from this list, feel free to let me know in the comments or via Twitter although keep in mind that their absence doesn't necessarily mean I think they're not worthy of recognition.
1. Billy Sheehan
This is the guy The Beatles sung about in "With A Little Help From My Friends"...don't look it up
Whilst there are some famous examples of great bassists who'll be making an appearance a bit later on in the list, Billy Sheehan's technical skill probably surpasses every entry on this list combined. His tapping techniques and all-round versatility even rival most guitarists but sadly, he's one of those musicians who's immense talent never fully made it to the studio. Sure, you've got songs like "Addicted To That Rush" - Mr. Big with exceptional bass but most of Mr Big's better known tracks are usually driven by guitar or vocals. Compare this to live covers of "Burn" - Deep Purple and "Baba O'Riley" - The Who where Billy flawlessly shreds out the organ and violin solos respectively and you'll ask yourself why they never truly utilised his skills off-stage.
2. Cliff Burton
The first of several great bassists who are sadly no longer with us
Whilst Metallica songs are generally known for their epic guitar riffs and diminishing quality over time, their first three albums also contain tracks with surprisingly prominent bass. There's "Orion", a track named due to the spacey bass solo, "For Whom The Bell Tolls" with the creepy bass riff in the intro and of course "(Anesthesia)--Pulling Teeth", a four minute fuzzy bass solo off the debut that could damn near be confused for guitar if not for the vocal intro. Cliff also proved to be capable of keeping up with Hetfield and Hammett, matching and occasionally improving on their guitar riffs for most of their signature songs. Unfortunately, Cliff passed away in 1986 after the tour bus they were travelling in skidded out of control and crashed, crushing him in the process. His riffs may not have stood out in the same way as the guitar melodies but it's fair to say the band's music was never quite the same after his passing.
3. Steve Harris
Obligatory Iron Maiden
Steve's been regarded as the greatest bass player of all time and whilst I don't know if I'd personally agree with that, he definitely deserves a spot on this list. He's the soul of Iron Maiden, not just in his bass playing but in his songwriting and musical knowledge too. He's usually the driving force behind each musical decision the band has made and thankfully, he's still going strong to this date. Whilst Iron Maiden's success is down to a team effort rather than any one member of the band standing out, Steve's bass is always present among the guitars, adding the final puzzle piece to songs like "The Trooper" and "Run To The Hills" that wouldn't be complete without him.
4. Chris Squire
I could've used a picture of a younger Chris but come on, look at that fucking bass!
I'm not the biggest fan of Yes but if you listen to some of their better tracks, one thing's for certain; the bass stands out like a DVD in a game collection. Tracks like "Roundabout" and "Starship Trooper" contain basslines almost as complex as the guitar melodies and even though their Pop-Prog phase focused a bit more on the guitar hooks and vocals, you can still hear Chris keeping things steady. His aggressive, dynamic playing style has gone on to influence several of the bassists on this list and even though he sadly passed away in 2015, his work across all Yes albums lives on as a gold standard for Prog Rock (and indeed standard Rock) bassists for the rest of time.
5. Geezer Butler
Real name Terence Michael Joseph Matthew Mark Luke John Napoleon Ulysses Hank "Geezer" Butler
From one of Prog Rock's most influential bassists to Heavy Metal's, Geezer Butler is responsible for giving Black Sabbath the weight it needed to be one of the biggest Metal bands on the planet. His heavy riffs and lyrical influences ranging from religion to dystopian science fiction gave the band the apocalyptic doom vibe that would go on to form the cultural perception of Heavy Metal for years to come. Geezer stuck with Black Sabbath through the Dio years and took part in their recent farewell tour, also contributing to some of Ozzy Osbourne's solo albums in the 90s but nobody really cares about that. The main thing is his work with Black Sabbath, giving us excellent songs such as "Children Of The Grave", "War Pigs" and of course "N.I.B" to inspire generations of bassists for decades.
6. John Entwistle
The Who's secret weapon
Generally regarded as one of Rock's greatest bass players, John Entwistle truly knew how to turn bass up to 11. With full treble and thundering dynamics, every riff and lick laid down by John sounded like a distant roar and when he wanted to shred, boy could he shred. The most common example of his exceptional skills is probably "My Generation" with its iconic bass solo but tracks on the Live At Leeds album showcase his ability to keep up with Townshend and Moon on guitar and drums respectively. Once again, this incredible musician is no longer with us, dying in 2002 due to a drug overdose.
7. Geddy Lee
Give me some credit, I made it this far without mentioning him
The other great Prog Rock bassist on this list and probably the go-to example of everyone's favourite Rock bassist in general. Rush songs are known for their great bass melodies and Geddy's unique vocals that he flawlessly pulls off whilst playing the relatively complex basslines. Not only that but he's also responsible for the keyboard and synth for each track, something the band is equally reliant on for some of their signature hits. Songs like "Fly By Night" and "Tom Sawyer" showcase Geddy's supreme multi-tasking abilities whilst tracks such as "Freewill" and "YYZ" contain multiple bass solos, sometimes underneath the guitar one. He's probably one of my top bassists and there's a strong chance he's one of yours too.
8. John Deacon
For ages, I always confused John Deacon and Roger Taylor
When it comes to the best members of Queen, John Deacon tends to be at the bottom of most conventional rankings (especially when you consider Roger Taylor's vocal work on News Of The World, arguably providing better Hard Rock vocals than Freddie). However, when you actually listen to the bass in most Queen songs, there's a lot to be admired. It may not be technical or balanced with complex vocals but there's something to be said for simplistic yet permanently catchy basslines. Some of Queen's best known tracks like "Another One Bites The Dust" and "Under Pressure" are built entirely around John Deacon with the rest of the band members following his lead. Unfortunately, after Freddie Mercury's death and subsequent tribute show, John retired from music and hasn't played with Queen or been involved in any of their post-Freddie projects for about 20 years now. Fair play, I suppose.
9. John McVie
He's got it all, from the facial hair to the first name John
For the most part, this post has basically consisted of fairly obvious choices that you'd find populating the higher end of most great bass player lists. However, rather than going for one of the bigger Rock/Metal names that everyone already admires, I thought I'd dedicate a slot to classic Fleetwood Mac bassist, John McVie. He deserves a place for co-writing and performing on "The Chain" alone, a song containing one of the greatest bass riffs ever written, but he's also shown off his talents for other great Fleetwood Mac tracks too such as "Oh Well", "World Turning" and "Tusk". All in all, John's probably the most underrated bassist on this list so feel free to blast some Fleetwood Mac with the bass turned all the way up to show him some extra love.
10. Flea
"Flea? He's not Lemmy!"
As always, the last musician on the list is something a bit special. Flea (real name Michael Balzary) has played bass with the Red Hot Chili Peppers since their debut in 1984 and also acted in a few films such as The Big Lebowski and the Back To The Future sequels. However, his work as the RHCP bassist will always reign supreme as his blend of funky licks and heavy riffs have helped put the band on the musical map. You can always tell it's a RHCP song when you hear his soulful, often dominant bass melodies but if you want a few prime examples to check out over the course of their career...well, aside from practically every song they've ever written, I'd recommend "By The Way", "Higher Ground", "Soul To Squeeze", "Walkabout" and "Dreams Of A Samurai".
Even though these are ten bass players whom I've deemed worthy enough to focus specific paragraphs about, there are still some bassists that deserve honourable mentions:
Paul McCartney
John Myung
Phil Lynott
Lemmy
Every Funk bassist
Did I miss anyone out by focusing too much on big name bass players? Let me know who ranks on your personal list with some samples of their work to check out.
COMING SOON: The Salentino Cuts - UFO, an album review or showdown post; I haven't decided yet.
Saturday, 22 July 2017
Tenology: Dynamic Drummers In Rock/Metal
Just under two months ago, I wrote a blog post about ten excellent guitarists in the world of Rock and Metal with the promise of writing similar blog posts about skilled musicians with different instrumental talents. Whilst my initial choice was to write about bassists, I've instead decided to focus on drums as it can be argued that they are the most important instrument in any self-respecting Rock band.
As usual, Tenology posts are the work of opinion and whilst I'll be listing 10 drummers whom I admire, this isn't the same as a Top 10 post. There's no particular rank or hierarchy of skill here, I'm just listing 10 awesome drummers and why I think they kick ass.
1. Nicko McBrain
Did you guys know I like Iron Maiden? Yeah? Cool, just checking so you're not irritated when I get round to the bassist and vocalist blog posts. Anyway, Nicko McBrain is the band's current drummer and has been with them since Clive Burr had to drop out in the early 80s due to health issues. Whilst Clive was great and will be missed, Nicko was a worthy replacement and has kept the band's Metal strong since 1983 with his epic kit and great personality. However, he's not on this list just because he's got a percussion cage and a funny way with words; he's a hugely talented drummer who's able to play all of the band's material without the use of double bass pedals. Speaking of double bass...
2. Scott Travis
From no double bass to ultimate double bass, Scott Travis is (in my eyes) single-handedly responsible for making Judas Priest awesome again. Around the late 80s, the band were running out of steam and even resorting to Hair Metal singles. However, in 1990, the band released Painkiller with Scott on drums and gave the band the shock to the balls they needed to become proper Metal again. From the drum intro/outro of "Painkiller" to the live recordings of from the British Steel anniversary gigs, Scott's drumming is as furious as the Metal monsters Judas Priest writes about in most of their albums.
3. Tommy Lee
Motley Crue might not be known for technical or complex rhythms but there's something Tommy Lee does in live shows that only a talented drummer would be able to pull off. His drumkit is attached to a mechanical harness that lifts it up over the audience and rotates it around with him still strapped down, drumming along to a variety of tunes as if he was still on the ground. When I saw Motley Crue on their farewell tour, Tommy was able to pull this off and continue drumming for the rest of the gig without any audible signs of fatigue so if you've got a problem with him in this list, go see him do this live...oh wait, you can't anymore. Well, in that case, you'll have to take my word for it.
4. Keith Moon
I'm trying to mix iconic drummers with less obvious choices but if you're going to write about great drummers, Keith Moon better be there. He was a fucking beast behind the drums and you only have to listen to "Young Man Blues" from the Live At Leeds album to hear him going absolutely apeshit without the percussion sounding messy or amateurish. On the studio side, tracks like "Won't Get Fooled Again" are well known for great drum fills as well as the riffs and screams. I won't get into the party lifestyle this guy led but one story that stuck in my mind is the tale of how Keith put dynamite in his drums to set off at the end of the show, nearly killed/deafening his bandmates.
5. Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl is mostly known for Foo Fighters now but he isn't actually the drummer for that band. Dave's an OK vocalist and a decent guitarist but his skills as a drummer dwarf both of those combined. Dave's drummed for many bands (notably Nirvana) but I think my personal favourite example of his work comes from Tenacious D. He laid down the percussion for their studio albums and occasionally played with them live, bringing the thunder in typical Dave Grohl style. He knows how to crank up the power and just when you think he's blown his load, he pulls out another burst of energy from fuck knows where. It's just a shame he insists on being the frontman for the Foo Fighters, as he's definitely strongest at the back.
6. Rick Allen
Def Leppard's drummer only has one arm. That's all I really need to say to explain his inclusion here. Any drummer who can play well enough for their band to keep up with other great Rock acts despite having such a significant handicap gets a shout out on my list. Hell, the fact that he can play along to classic Def Leppard material and put some drummers with two hands to shame (fuck you, Meg White) means he deserves a place here. Granted that the band simplified their music to power ballads and slow tempo stadium anthems after his accident but songs like "Rocket" prove the band could still rock out...no pun intended.
7. Clive Bunker
Something about the name Clive that produces great drummers, huh. Anyway, Clive was the drummer for Jethro Tull for a few years, laying down percussion for the Aqualung album and a couple before it too. He's on this list because I revisited several tracks from Aqualung recently and found myself thinking about how great the drumming was, particularly on the title track. The tempo changes and small little fills throughout show that this guy knew how to drum with the best of 'em, plus I defy you to listen to the double-time section and guitar solo without tapping your feet. Need more proof? How about the fucking outro where he breaks into mini drum solos that are neither self-indulgent or painfully long? Clive might not top anyone's list but he was a vital component in making Jethro Tull's music great.
8. Joey Jordison
My girlfriend once had the pleasure of seeing Metallica live and on that fateful gig, Lars Ulrich was unable to drum so Joey Jordison filled in. According to her, he was able to play all of Metallica's material without any issues much better than Lars ever could. I'm aware that this is supposed to be my list but can you honestly tell me Joey doesn't deserve a spot here? His drumming's tighter than a roadie's grip and similar to Tommy Lee, Joey had a special trick for Slipknot gigs where he and his kit would be turned upside down whilst he kept drumming. If any member of Slipknot was responsible for getting me into the band, it'd probably be Joey (although Corey Taylor would be a close second).
9. Ian Paice
If you're after great Hard Rock drummers who can still keep it up after almost half a century, look no further than Deep Purple's drummer, Ian Paice. The man has laid down percussion for such great Rock anthems as "Smoke On The Water", "Highway Star" and "Black Night" whilst also showing off his technical talents in songs such as "Fireball", "Speed King" and, my all-time favourite song, "Burn". Unlike some of the drummers on this list, Paice is capable of performing at a variety of different settings instead of going all-in balls out for every track and when I saw him live a few years ago, he earned his place on the list...well, he probably earned it decades before that during the Deep Purple Mk II sessions but you know what I mean!
10. Neil Peart
You can't have a list of great drummers without AT LEAST MENTIONING Neil Peart or Rush. Sporting a 360 degree kit and a powerful arsenal of percussive tools, Neil is regarded as one of the best (if not THE best) drummer in Rock boasting not just physical skill but also creative songwriting talents (although I acknowledge he's not the only one on this list you can say that about). Moving Pictures might not be my favourite Rush album but if I had to pick a collection of excellent songs for drummers, that'd be the first place I'd look. I mean, "Tom Sawyer", "Red Barchetta", freaking "YYZ", and that's only one album! His Prog Rock timekeeping and utilisation of practically anything inanimate that makes a specific noise when you hit it have helped put Rush on the map, although the other two band members aren't slouches either.
Before I finish this post, I feel I should list a couple of honourable mentions as I doubt I'll be writing another blog post on great drummers. The guys I've talked about up above earned their place for resonating with me personally a little bit more than these guys, although if I had to expand my list to include more than 10, these are the drummers who'd be next on the post:
Mike Portnoy
John Bonham
Mitch Mitchell
Chad Smith
Ringo Starr (what? I like him, screw you!)
However, just because I didn't include other Rock/Metal drummers doesn't mean I don't think they're awesome. It just means they didn't leap into my thoughts straight away when I asked myself "who's fucking great at drumming?". Who would you include in your list? Let me know in the comments or via Twitter.
Next time...I dunno, maybe an album review or Rapid Fire post.
As usual, Tenology posts are the work of opinion and whilst I'll be listing 10 drummers whom I admire, this isn't the same as a Top 10 post. There's no particular rank or hierarchy of skill here, I'm just listing 10 awesome drummers and why I think they kick ass.
1. Nicko McBrain
I couldn't find a good pic of him drumming with Sooty on the front of his kit
Did you guys know I like Iron Maiden? Yeah? Cool, just checking so you're not irritated when I get round to the bassist and vocalist blog posts. Anyway, Nicko McBrain is the band's current drummer and has been with them since Clive Burr had to drop out in the early 80s due to health issues. Whilst Clive was great and will be missed, Nicko was a worthy replacement and has kept the band's Metal strong since 1983 with his epic kit and great personality. However, he's not on this list just because he's got a percussion cage and a funny way with words; he's a hugely talented drummer who's able to play all of the band's material without the use of double bass pedals. Speaking of double bass...
2. Scott Travis
For some reason, I always thought this guy was bald
From no double bass to ultimate double bass, Scott Travis is (in my eyes) single-handedly responsible for making Judas Priest awesome again. Around the late 80s, the band were running out of steam and even resorting to Hair Metal singles. However, in 1990, the band released Painkiller with Scott on drums and gave the band the shock to the balls they needed to become proper Metal again. From the drum intro/outro of "Painkiller" to the live recordings of from the British Steel anniversary gigs, Scott's drumming is as furious as the Metal monsters Judas Priest writes about in most of their albums.
3. Tommy Lee
I always thought this was just the Drum Rollercoaster but apparently it's called the Cruecifly
Motley Crue might not be known for technical or complex rhythms but there's something Tommy Lee does in live shows that only a talented drummer would be able to pull off. His drumkit is attached to a mechanical harness that lifts it up over the audience and rotates it around with him still strapped down, drumming along to a variety of tunes as if he was still on the ground. When I saw Motley Crue on their farewell tour, Tommy was able to pull this off and continue drumming for the rest of the gig without any audible signs of fatigue so if you've got a problem with him in this list, go see him do this live...oh wait, you can't anymore. Well, in that case, you'll have to take my word for it.
4. Keith Moon
When the film about Keith is made, tell Sacha Baron Cohen he's got the part
I'm trying to mix iconic drummers with less obvious choices but if you're going to write about great drummers, Keith Moon better be there. He was a fucking beast behind the drums and you only have to listen to "Young Man Blues" from the Live At Leeds album to hear him going absolutely apeshit without the percussion sounding messy or amateurish. On the studio side, tracks like "Won't Get Fooled Again" are well known for great drum fills as well as the riffs and screams. I won't get into the party lifestyle this guy led but one story that stuck in my mind is the tale of how Keith put dynamite in his drums to set off at the end of the show, nearly killed/deafening his bandmates.
5. Dave Grohl
One of these pictures is not like the other
Dave Grohl is mostly known for Foo Fighters now but he isn't actually the drummer for that band. Dave's an OK vocalist and a decent guitarist but his skills as a drummer dwarf both of those combined. Dave's drummed for many bands (notably Nirvana) but I think my personal favourite example of his work comes from Tenacious D. He laid down the percussion for their studio albums and occasionally played with them live, bringing the thunder in typical Dave Grohl style. He knows how to crank up the power and just when you think he's blown his load, he pulls out another burst of energy from fuck knows where. It's just a shame he insists on being the frontman for the Foo Fighters, as he's definitely strongest at the back.
6. Rick Allen
No, this isn't photoshopped
Def Leppard's drummer only has one arm. That's all I really need to say to explain his inclusion here. Any drummer who can play well enough for their band to keep up with other great Rock acts despite having such a significant handicap gets a shout out on my list. Hell, the fact that he can play along to classic Def Leppard material and put some drummers with two hands to shame (fuck you, Meg White) means he deserves a place here. Granted that the band simplified their music to power ballads and slow tempo stadium anthems after his accident but songs like "Rocket" prove the band could still rock out...no pun intended.
7. Clive Bunker
Amazing how he managed to keep drumming with that dumb copyright mark floating in front of him!
Something about the name Clive that produces great drummers, huh. Anyway, Clive was the drummer for Jethro Tull for a few years, laying down percussion for the Aqualung album and a couple before it too. He's on this list because I revisited several tracks from Aqualung recently and found myself thinking about how great the drumming was, particularly on the title track. The tempo changes and small little fills throughout show that this guy knew how to drum with the best of 'em, plus I defy you to listen to the double-time section and guitar solo without tapping your feet. Need more proof? How about the fucking outro where he breaks into mini drum solos that are neither self-indulgent or painfully long? Clive might not top anyone's list but he was a vital component in making Jethro Tull's music great.
8. Joey Jordison
I'm not a huge Slipknot fan but damn, this guy's good
My girlfriend once had the pleasure of seeing Metallica live and on that fateful gig, Lars Ulrich was unable to drum so Joey Jordison filled in. According to her, he was able to play all of Metallica's material without any issues much better than Lars ever could. I'm aware that this is supposed to be my list but can you honestly tell me Joey doesn't deserve a spot here? His drumming's tighter than a roadie's grip and similar to Tommy Lee, Joey had a special trick for Slipknot gigs where he and his kit would be turned upside down whilst he kept drumming. If any member of Slipknot was responsible for getting me into the band, it'd probably be Joey (although Corey Taylor would be a close second).
9. Ian Paice
I'm ashamed to say I nearly forgot about this guy
If you're after great Hard Rock drummers who can still keep it up after almost half a century, look no further than Deep Purple's drummer, Ian Paice. The man has laid down percussion for such great Rock anthems as "Smoke On The Water", "Highway Star" and "Black Night" whilst also showing off his technical talents in songs such as "Fireball", "Speed King" and, my all-time favourite song, "Burn". Unlike some of the drummers on this list, Paice is capable of performing at a variety of different settings instead of going all-in balls out for every track and when I saw him live a few years ago, he earned his place on the list...well, he probably earned it decades before that during the Deep Purple Mk II sessions but you know what I mean!
10. Neil Peart
Predictable final choice? Yes. Awesome drummer? Fuck yes!
You can't have a list of great drummers without AT LEAST MENTIONING Neil Peart or Rush. Sporting a 360 degree kit and a powerful arsenal of percussive tools, Neil is regarded as one of the best (if not THE best) drummer in Rock boasting not just physical skill but also creative songwriting talents (although I acknowledge he's not the only one on this list you can say that about). Moving Pictures might not be my favourite Rush album but if I had to pick a collection of excellent songs for drummers, that'd be the first place I'd look. I mean, "Tom Sawyer", "Red Barchetta", freaking "YYZ", and that's only one album! His Prog Rock timekeeping and utilisation of practically anything inanimate that makes a specific noise when you hit it have helped put Rush on the map, although the other two band members aren't slouches either.
Before I finish this post, I feel I should list a couple of honourable mentions as I doubt I'll be writing another blog post on great drummers. The guys I've talked about up above earned their place for resonating with me personally a little bit more than these guys, although if I had to expand my list to include more than 10, these are the drummers who'd be next on the post:
Mike Portnoy
John Bonham
Mitch Mitchell
Chad Smith
Ringo Starr (what? I like him, screw you!)
However, just because I didn't include other Rock/Metal drummers doesn't mean I don't think they're awesome. It just means they didn't leap into my thoughts straight away when I asked myself "who's fucking great at drumming?". Who would you include in your list? Let me know in the comments or via Twitter.
Next time...I dunno, maybe an album review or Rapid Fire post.
Monday, 12 September 2016
Rapid Fire: Blue Oyster Cult, Rush, Deep Purple
Bit late posting this one but I'll definitely make sure I get another one up this week.
Last time I did a Rapid Fire post, I picked three big albums from the 90s all belonging to different popular genres of the decade. THIS time, I've picked three albums not only from the same decade but also belonging to the same genre; Hard Rock.
Whilst all three albums aren't necessarily iconic hits from the 70s, I chose these three because (in my opinion) they stand out in the band's careers. I could've picked various classic Hard Rock albums from this decade but I don't think I'd have as much to write about them. Anyway, I'll leave you to decide whether I picked the right albums!
1. Tyranny And Mutation - Blue Oyster Cult
If asked to name a Blue Oyster Cult song, most people will go for easy choices like "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" or "Burnin' For You". Some might go for less obvious choices such as "Godzilla" or "Astronomy" but it's incredibly doubtful anyone will pick any tracks from this album. It was their second album released and even though it spawned many deep cuts that would become fan favourites, none of the tracks would become iconic Classic Rock or Hard Rock hits. It's a shame too as this album has some right crackers!
Album opener "The Red & The Black" kicks things off to a feisty start, showing the band hadn't spent all their energy on writing a solid debut. It's a perfect track for anyone who's into guitar-driven Rock, thanks to the fretwork of Buck Dharma (my favourite guitarist), and fortunately the rest of the album follows suit. Tyranny And Mutation contains a variety of different Rock subgenres but at its core, it is a Hard Rock album done right. Whilst it may not contain any instantly catchy songs or riffs that the band would become known for in later years, it's high quality material from start to finish.
Whether it's the band's take on Blues Rock ("O.D.'d On Life Itself"), Heavy Metal ("Hot Rails To Hell") or even borderline Psychedelic Rock ("Wings Wetted Down"), each track fundamentally "rocks". There's also a good amount of Classic and Hard Rock, such as "Mistress Of The Salmon Salt (Quicklime Girl)" and my personal favourite track on the album "7 Screaming Diz-Busters". All in all, though, it's a must-listen for any fans of Riff-Based-Rock and 70s Hard Rock.
Last time I did a Rapid Fire post, I picked three big albums from the 90s all belonging to different popular genres of the decade. THIS time, I've picked three albums not only from the same decade but also belonging to the same genre; Hard Rock.
Whilst all three albums aren't necessarily iconic hits from the 70s, I chose these three because (in my opinion) they stand out in the band's careers. I could've picked various classic Hard Rock albums from this decade but I don't think I'd have as much to write about them. Anyway, I'll leave you to decide whether I picked the right albums!
1. Tyranny And Mutation - Blue Oyster Cult
If asked to name a Blue Oyster Cult song, most people will go for easy choices like "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" or "Burnin' For You". Some might go for less obvious choices such as "Godzilla" or "Astronomy" but it's incredibly doubtful anyone will pick any tracks from this album. It was their second album released and even though it spawned many deep cuts that would become fan favourites, none of the tracks would become iconic Classic Rock or Hard Rock hits. It's a shame too as this album has some right crackers!
Album opener "The Red & The Black" kicks things off to a feisty start, showing the band hadn't spent all their energy on writing a solid debut. It's a perfect track for anyone who's into guitar-driven Rock, thanks to the fretwork of Buck Dharma (my favourite guitarist), and fortunately the rest of the album follows suit. Tyranny And Mutation contains a variety of different Rock subgenres but at its core, it is a Hard Rock album done right. Whilst it may not contain any instantly catchy songs or riffs that the band would become known for in later years, it's high quality material from start to finish.
Whether it's the band's take on Blues Rock ("O.D.'d On Life Itself"), Heavy Metal ("Hot Rails To Hell") or even borderline Psychedelic Rock ("Wings Wetted Down"), each track fundamentally "rocks". There's also a good amount of Classic and Hard Rock, such as "Mistress Of The Salmon Salt (Quicklime Girl)" and my personal favourite track on the album "7 Screaming Diz-Busters". All in all, though, it's a must-listen for any fans of Riff-Based-Rock and 70s Hard Rock.
1. The Red & The Black
2. O.D.'d On Life Itself
3. Hot Rails To Hell
4. 7 Screaming Diz-Busters
5. Baby Ice Dog
6. Wings Wetted Down
7. Teen Archer
8. Mistress Of The Salmon Salt (Quicklime Girl)
ALBUM RATING - 8/10
2. Rush - Rush
The debut and self-titled album from a band arguably more associated with Progressive Rock and the 80s. Again, most fans will likely list tracks off Moving Pictures, Permanent Waves or 2112 when it comes to picking great Rush songs. Some might choose "Working Man", easily the most well known Rush track off the album, but when I first listened to this all the way through I was surprised to hear so many great Hard Rock tracks. That could explain why it tends to get ignored, as it's pretty far away from what most people would consider to be classic Rush.
Not only is it the only album with original drummer, John Rutsey, but most of the songs are about general themes such as love and friendship ("Need Some Love" and "Take A Friend") as opposed to the blend of philosophy and Sci-Fi the band would adopt thanks to Neil Peart. The lack of significant Prog Rock elements and the increase in Blues Rock factors almost make it sound like a lost Led Zeppelin album, something many Rock fans would kill for.
It's not the best Rush album but it definitely doesn't deserve to be forgotten about, which is its current fate. Seek this album out if you like 70s Rock, particularly early 70s Hard Rock. Whilst I'm at it, you might want to listen to the first half of Caress Of Steel too. I know it's often regarded as Rush's worst album but it only really gets dull when it gets to the 11 minute tracks. As for Rush (album)? It starts and ends strong, which is more than I can say for Moving Pictures.
1. Finding My Way
2. Need Some Love
3. Take A Friend
4. Here Again
5. What You're Doing
6. In The Mood
7. Before And After
8. Working Man
ALBUM RATING - 7/10
3. Machine Head - Deep Purple
The only album on this list which is generally regarded as the band's "best" or at least a standout effort. It's probably my favourite Deep Purple album out of the ones I've listened to and it's definitely got a solid collection of great Hard Rock tracks starting off with the absolute belter of an album opener "Highway Star". It's not just one of Deep Purple's greatest songs but it's quite possibly one of the greatest Hard Rock tracks in the history of the genre, boasting awesome work from each band member from Ian Gillan's roaring vocals to Richie Blackmore's Classical-inspired guitar solo.
The rest of the album never quite reaches that same high, in my opinion, but that's not to say it fails to impress. By this point in the band's career, they'd established themselves firmly in the Hard Rock category after a Psychedelic Rock start and if you like your Hard Rock with epic riffs and organs, there's bound to be at least a couple of other tracks up your alley here. Chances are those tracks are the other two well known songs off the album, "Space Truckin'" and "Smoke On The Water", the band's signature song with quite possibly Rock's most iconic riff (even if the rest of it is largely uneventful).
For me, this album could've done with another track containing the same amount of power and pure Rock as the album opener, as the closest Machine Head comes to that again is seven minute Blues number "Lazy" and even that's pushing it. They probably chose "Highway Star" to kick things off with a bang but neglected to think about whether they were prematurely blowing their load. If you haven't heard any of the previously mentioned tracks, I'd recommend listening to this album. Otherwise, you're unlikely to get much out it.
The rest of the album never quite reaches that same high, in my opinion, but that's not to say it fails to impress. By this point in the band's career, they'd established themselves firmly in the Hard Rock category after a Psychedelic Rock start and if you like your Hard Rock with epic riffs and organs, there's bound to be at least a couple of other tracks up your alley here. Chances are those tracks are the other two well known songs off the album, "Space Truckin'" and "Smoke On The Water", the band's signature song with quite possibly Rock's most iconic riff (even if the rest of it is largely uneventful).
For me, this album could've done with another track containing the same amount of power and pure Rock as the album opener, as the closest Machine Head comes to that again is seven minute Blues number "Lazy" and even that's pushing it. They probably chose "Highway Star" to kick things off with a bang but neglected to think about whether they were prematurely blowing their load. If you haven't heard any of the previously mentioned tracks, I'd recommend listening to this album. Otherwise, you're unlikely to get much out it.
1. Highway Star
2. Maybe I'm A Leo
3. Pictures Of Home
4. Never Before
5. Smoke On The Water
6. Lazy
7. Space Truckin'
8. When A Blind Man Cries
ALBUM RATING - 6/10
If there are any albums you'd like me to discuss or if you have any suggestions for decades, genres and/or bands to cover on the next Rapid Fire post, let me know in the comment section or via Twitter.
I'll be posting again this week (probably not another Rapid Fire post though) so keep your eyes peeled for more from me!
Saturday, 12 March 2016
Shout Out: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays The Music Of Rush - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
It's been a while since I did a Shout Out post so here's a quick one until I can either review a new album or write a fun opinion post.
I haven't really talked about the relationship between Rock/Metal and orchestral music on this blog in detail before, which I guess is understandable. Sometimes it works incredibly well and you get a score so epic that even your goosebumps get goosebumps when listening to it and sometimes, to paraphrase Slayer's Kerry King, it's just masturbation on the band's part. However, for the most part, I'm in favour of not only mixing orchestrated music with Rock but also full-on orchestrated covers of Rock music, hence this blog post.
If you dedicate a little bit of time to searching for the right albums on Spotify, you can find many Rock-based orchestra cover albums (not the Vitamin String Quartet, I mean full orchestra although they're great as well) that are worth a listen. Most of them are compilations and contain a variety of different iconic Rock tracks but this post was written to recommend one in particular.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays The Music Of Rush.
This album contains nine of Rush's biggest hits between their 1974 debut and 1982 album Signals translated into a grand orchestral score. Even if you're not a huge fan of the original Rush songs, the covers are perfectly arranged as if they were written specifically for a feature film and do each track perfect justice. There's also good use of vocals in a few tracks, whether it's the single line tail ending "2112 Overture" or the choir used throughout the chorus of "Subdivisions", giving the tracks a little more of a live feel to them.
As the cover art would suggest, there's an air of mysticism about the covers as well and the choice of instruments reflects this. Not only that but as the album progresses, the tracks become more whimsical and fantastical too. The choice of tracklist order means that you'll probably get the most out of this collection by listening to the whole thing from start to finish rather than just picking out your favourite Rush tunes first and giving the others a listen afterwards, although there's easily repeat value to be had in revisiting your preferred covers afterwards.
Whilst there are dozens of bands that deserve the honour of having their music covered by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, there's something about Rush's music that seems to fit the bill more than, say, Metallica or R.E.M. If you could argue that Rush's original music could accompany travelling through space, these dynamic covers would easily accompany travelling into the unknown anywhere in (or outside) the universe due to the mix of traditional orchestra instruments and contemporary Rock-based ones. After all, you can't have a Rock/Orchestra album without some guitars and kit percussion!
One of the best tracks that showcases the blend of these styles is probably "Red Barchetta", breaking into a back-and-forth between acoustic strings and electric riffing shortly before an extended solo that I would rate higher than Alex Lifeson's on the actual record. If I had to find a fault in this collection, I'd have to say that it could've done with a couple of extra tracks, as this album follows the tradition of Rush compilations by choosing a significant portion of songs from Moving Pictures. This wouldn't be a problem if there were more than nine songs, as it would've been good to hear "Time Stand Still" or a faster track like "Bastille Day" too.
Overall though, this is a fantastic collection of orchestrated Rock. A must-listen for fans of both genres and hopefully there'll be a Royal Philharmonix Orchestra Plays The Music Of Rush, Part 2 out in the future, even if all their best known tunes are on this album. That being said, they could always cover the rest of "2112" or more modern tracks like "Headlong Flight", maybe even "YYZ" (I know it's from Moving Pictures but that doesn't mean it can't be split onto a second covers album)?
I haven't really talked about the relationship between Rock/Metal and orchestral music on this blog in detail before, which I guess is understandable. Sometimes it works incredibly well and you get a score so epic that even your goosebumps get goosebumps when listening to it and sometimes, to paraphrase Slayer's Kerry King, it's just masturbation on the band's part. However, for the most part, I'm in favour of not only mixing orchestrated music with Rock but also full-on orchestrated covers of Rock music, hence this blog post.
If you dedicate a little bit of time to searching for the right albums on Spotify, you can find many Rock-based orchestra cover albums (not the Vitamin String Quartet, I mean full orchestra although they're great as well) that are worth a listen. Most of them are compilations and contain a variety of different iconic Rock tracks but this post was written to recommend one in particular.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays The Music Of Rush.
This album contains nine of Rush's biggest hits between their 1974 debut and 1982 album Signals translated into a grand orchestral score. Even if you're not a huge fan of the original Rush songs, the covers are perfectly arranged as if they were written specifically for a feature film and do each track perfect justice. There's also good use of vocals in a few tracks, whether it's the single line tail ending "2112 Overture" or the choir used throughout the chorus of "Subdivisions", giving the tracks a little more of a live feel to them.
As the cover art would suggest, there's an air of mysticism about the covers as well and the choice of instruments reflects this. Not only that but as the album progresses, the tracks become more whimsical and fantastical too. The choice of tracklist order means that you'll probably get the most out of this collection by listening to the whole thing from start to finish rather than just picking out your favourite Rush tunes first and giving the others a listen afterwards, although there's easily repeat value to be had in revisiting your preferred covers afterwards.
Whilst there are dozens of bands that deserve the honour of having their music covered by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, there's something about Rush's music that seems to fit the bill more than, say, Metallica or R.E.M. If you could argue that Rush's original music could accompany travelling through space, these dynamic covers would easily accompany travelling into the unknown anywhere in (or outside) the universe due to the mix of traditional orchestra instruments and contemporary Rock-based ones. After all, you can't have a Rock/Orchestra album without some guitars and kit percussion!
One of the best tracks that showcases the blend of these styles is probably "Red Barchetta", breaking into a back-and-forth between acoustic strings and electric riffing shortly before an extended solo that I would rate higher than Alex Lifeson's on the actual record. If I had to find a fault in this collection, I'd have to say that it could've done with a couple of extra tracks, as this album follows the tradition of Rush compilations by choosing a significant portion of songs from Moving Pictures. This wouldn't be a problem if there were more than nine songs, as it would've been good to hear "Time Stand Still" or a faster track like "Bastille Day" too.
Overall though, this is a fantastic collection of orchestrated Rock. A must-listen for fans of both genres and hopefully there'll be a Royal Philharmonix Orchestra Plays The Music Of Rush, Part 2 out in the future, even if all their best known tunes are on this album. That being said, they could always cover the rest of "2112" or more modern tracks like "Headlong Flight", maybe even "YYZ" (I know it's from Moving Pictures but that doesn't mean it can't be split onto a second covers album)?
1. 2112 Overture
2. The Spirit Of Radio
3. Tom Sawyer
4. Subdivisions
5. Closer To The Heart
6. Red Barchetta
7. Limelight
8. Working Man
9. Fly By Night
ALBUM RATING - 9/10
What Rush songs would you like covered by a full orchestra? In fact, which Rock/Metal songs by any band would you love to hear given the same treatment? Let me know on Twitter or the comment section and feel free to request any blog posts you'd like me to write or think about writing too.
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