It’s been a bit since I listened to The Casualties and today I was reminded why I dig them so much thanks to a new video of “We Are All We Have” that posted on MySpace. Having been a huge fan of theirs for years I really have no solid reason why I have not been keeping tabs on their releases. 2004’s On The Front Line has been and will be one of my favorite punk albums to listen to probably for the rest of my life as it just stuck to me.
The NYC street punk band had always stood out over other bands to me primarily due to their dedication to keeping their musical style more like the 80’s punk. I seriously could listen to this band all day.
Street punk, gutter punk, punk punk – call it what you want. These boys know how to dish it out.
Their new album We Are All We Have dropped in stores late summer (and apparently is available at Target???) and sadly I still have yet to check it out but after seeing the video below I want to check it out more than ever now. Looks like I am off to Target.
It’s the day after Thanksgiving and I am still full from an amazing array of good eats and excited. Of course we all know that today is supposed to be the busiest shopping day of the year and there is not one part of me that wishes to engage in that stupid retail disaster. I have no interest in waking up early and saving $20 on a junk TV or getting DVDs for $2. I don’t wish to wait outside in the cold for the chance at getting a deal. I’ll just surf the internet for my shopping needs when the Jesus Day comes a little close.
Black Friday can kiss my ass.
So if I am so bitter at this tragedy of a day what am I so excited about you ask? That’s easy, Blakroc‘s debut self-titled album was released today. What? You have no idea what I am talking about? Well of course I am going to explain a little more about this album that I have been anticipating for quite some time.
Blakroc is a project featuring Akron, Ohio’s blues/rock heroes The Black Keys plus hip-hop artists including Ludacris, Mos Def, the late-great Ol’ Dirty Bastard and other well known artists. The combination of the music of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney’s provided beats layered with the rap lyrics is just unbelievable. To add to the exhilaration, The Black Key’s frontman Auerbach provides some of his own signing on a couple of tracks making for a truly matchless sound.
So how exactly did The Black Keys get mixed up with hip hop? Well apparently Damon Dash, co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records is a huge fan of the Keys and wanted to do something involving the duo and Jim Jones. During that initial session Mos Def interrupted and wound up recording as well and Blakroc was formulated (Black Keys + Roc-A-Fella = Blakroc). In eleven days there were eleven tracks recorded thus creating an album that could be compared to a Gorillaz-like jam sans the electronics and cartoon fantasyland idea.
Finally after hearing about this project for months it the hit shelves today (CD & LP) and I could not resist but grabbing a copy for myself. After all I am a huge fan of The Black Keys and everything they do as well as have a high appreciation for hip hop so it’s easy to say I was excited. Once I put that album on though I was in my own little glory just like the first time I heart the Judgment Nightsoundtrack. It was something new and something unmarked in it’s own kind. Blues/rock and rap? Nice.
The first track “Coochie” floored me not just because it sounded so great but because my number one favorite rap artist Ol’ Dirty Bastard was rapping in his glory (still can’t believe it’s been five years since his passing). Thanks to ODB being affiliated with Roc-A-Fella Records prior to his death there was some of his work readily available for Damon Dash and he put it to good use. Featuring the ever easy to listen to Ludacris and ODB slinging out rhymes about one of their loves in life, this song set the bar high for my expectations for the rest of the album.
“On The Vista” followed with the same knockout as the first track thanks to the smooth flow of Mos Def and Auerbach’s amazing guitar playing. NOE dominated on “Hard Times” with some nice R&B like back-up singing as well as the Keys doing their thing. “Why Can’t I Forget” was a nice somber R&B turn featuring Nicole Wray.
As soon as Mos Def and Auerbach shared the mic on “Ain’t Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)” I was just astounded. It was my favorite track on the album thanks to the high appeal of hearing Auerbach’s distinguished singing followed by sick flows from Mos Def as well as a few lines by Jim Jones.
“Hope Your Happy” was another highlight on the album to me with Nicole Wray providing more soul signing beside the infamous Q-Tip and Billy Danze. Nicole Wray returns once again with NOE, almost sounding like Jay-Z, on the final track titled “Done Did It”. I am really glad the album included her as she made some of the songs that much better to listen to.
My only complaint with this album was the lack of Mr. Roc-A-Fella himself – Jay-Z. It’s not like he’s never done something like this before (anyone remember Linkin Park/Jay-Z). Based upon what I heard on this album though I would not be shocked in the least bit if another album was already in the works.
You will like this album if you like things done different from the norm but with substance. It’s a fresh new sound that was brought together with near perfection. If you are a fan of hip-hop you will dig this album as well, but I can honestly say if you are only about the music The Black Keys push out on average this may not be your cup of tea. It’s a blues rock experimental album in a sense but more so a hip-hop heavy project that completely did wonders to my ears.
When I see the words “snack” and “truck” the fat kid inside me usually gets excited and is ready to mow down some mobile junk food. This time around though the words have different meaning and refer to a band’s name and not the no-so-good-for-you cuisine. Snacktruck is a truly unique threesome from Richmond, VA consisting of a guitarist/keyboardist and two drummers. Yes, two drummers. (I do believe there is a guest bassist too but can not confirm that)
The band recently released Spacial Findings 1 – 7, an album that is more of a masterpiece of specifically layered sounds resulting in quite an impressive instrumental release. With no pinned down genre the album glides through styles such as progressive, jam, thrash, and even pure rock with no hesitation what so ever in between. The album was dropped on Rorschach Records.
If you asked me what Spacial Findings 1 – 7 sounded like I would first just say “awesome”. Why? Because the moment I put the CD in for a listen I was just fixed on what was hitting my ears and listened to it from start to finish with no interruptions. The moment the CD ended I put it on for a second listen. No joke.
When listening to “Presence Charm” I actually looked at the CD booklet to make sure that only three people formulated this song. Heavily progressive but inclusive throughout there was no wonder why this caught my attention…it was good.
“Blooms (Horrible)” continued on with an experimental interesting piece that hooked around momentarily and ended far too soon. I was digging the almost sci-fi soundtrack and was a little bummed when it smothered out. “Blooms (Sweet)” stifled out just like the previous track right during a sweet guitar manipulation and that is when it hit me… The band very well may take their songs completely into new territory when playing live so why ruin it on a studio release? Now I want to see this band live more than ever. I can only imagine the intensity of a live experience.
“Life Prism” was perhaps the highlight of the album for me until the following song “Blake Jones In Space” intensified the feeling. Imagine insanity compiled into a two and a half minute song with sick drumming and technical goodness. All I could think of is a mutant Mike Patton taking hits of 90’s grunge music heavy acid and painting a picture of the future through music. Yes, I just said that.
“Gravi-Thorn”, the longest song on the disc, starts out ever so soft and gentle and suddenly transforms into a crazy collection of guitar and feedback with faultless drumming. Did I mention the band has two drummers?
Snacktruck surpassed my musical range in every way possible (that is a good thing) but I could not help but reach out and grab their insanity note for note and beat to beat because it was so alluring. It’s without a doubt something that needs to be heard without being too much to take. Technical music lovers and experimental intellectuals are going to love this trio of musicians. Hell, music lovers need to give this band a chance, it’s that good.
I am really excited to hear new material by these punk favs of mine…
Thanks to the fine folk at Epitaph Records for this:
Alkaline Trio has announced the birth of Heart & Skull, the band’s own label formed in partnership with Epitaph Records. The band will release its seventh album through Epitaph/Heart & Skull in early 2010.
Commenting on the formation of the new imprint, named for the band’s longstanding logo, Alkaline Trio singer/guitarist Matt Skiba said:
“We made the decision to form Heart & Skull to put out our own records after having been through every kind of label deal in the industry, big indies, small indies, majors. We knew it was time to adapt to the shifting tides of the music industry and we could not be more thrilled about doing that in conjunction with the team at Epitaph. Taking control of our own label situation was something we always wanted to do but never thought was possible, but now thanks to Brett Gurewitz and the fine folks at Epitaph, it is. All three of us in Alkaline Trio have always had the utmost respect for the music and the work ethic of the Epitaph, Anti- and Hellcat family and now we’re honored to be working together under one big happy roof. Heart & Skull/Epitaph is truly a dream come true for us.”
Alkaline Trio bassist/vocalist Dan Andriano added:
“For our band at this time it really makes sense to release our own records, but we wanted to make sure we could partner up with good people who we would want to share in something very special to us. When Brett called and said he wanted to be involved, that was it. Epitaph is a label I’ve admired and supported for more than half of my life! I couldn’t be more excited for how this is turning out!”
Alkaline Trio first emerged from Chicago in 1996 and has since released the full length studio albums Goddamnit, Maybe I’ll Catch Fire, From Here To Infirmary, Good Mourning, Crimson and last year’s Agony & Irony, which was the highest charting record of the band’s career to date. The band is comprised of Skiba, Andriano and drummer Derek Grant, all of whom are partners in Heart & Skull.
Here are some videos for your punk rock entertainment consideration…
