rock and roll fables

music, comics, and media in a rock'n' roll world

Second Grave release Antithesis, prepare to destroy Cambridge on Saturday then the World!

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It’s not often that heavy metal has the perfect combination of ear-crunching music and pristine vocals. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Second Grave play to a sparse crowd at Ralph’s earlier in the year when they managed to hit that mark. Their new EP Antithesis promises not to disappoint.

Krista Van Guilder has a croon that calls to mind the timbre of some of metal’s greatest vocalists in a way that’s distinctly feminine and entirely satisfying, while her deep-throated scream is no joke. Her guitar combined with Chris Drzal’s, counterpointed by Dave Gein on bass and Chuck Ferreira on drums results in delightful headbang anthems. Breakdowns are executed expertly and perfectly timed for horn-raising catcalls from live audiences.

Do yourself a favor and add them to your library; there’s no way you’ll be disappointed. If you’re local to the Boston area, get your ass to the Middle East November 30th to see them with Summoner, Rozamov, and Jack Burton Vs David Lo Pan. I’ll be the one up front screaming my face off with glee — bring me a gin ‘n’ tonic and we’ll be pals for life.

 

 

Maximo Park is looking to kill a few “Brain Cells” with new single, album.

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The love that Rock And Roll Fables has for Maximo Park knows no bounds. Imagine our surprise yesterday when we turned on the internets yesterday to find that their fifth album had been announced and is barely two months away from release. Due on February 3rd, Too Much Information, comes less than two years after 2012’s brilliant The National Health.

All that is known so far is that the album was self-produced by the band and first single “Brain Cells” is a far cry from the guitar-driven songs of yore.  Lush and synth-heavy, “Brain Cells” might just be one aspect of the album but I know that being a child of the ’80’s a song like this gives me chills.

Watch the clip for “Brain Cells” below and then head over to maximopark.com where pre-order’s are already available for Too Much Information.

 

 

 

(the) Melvins are back in 2013 (again) with Tres Cabrones

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I’m not sure if there was ever such a thing as a “classic” line up of (the) Melvins because, quite frankly, each and every line up they pop up with is pretty fricking unique and classic in its own right. Nevertheless we now have Tres Cabrones featuring the return of original drummer Mike Dillard thus relegating Dale Crover to bass duties obviously.

Fans of Houdini and Stoner Witch particularly should take note because Tres… is definitely a throwback in some respects especially when the former album is concerned. If Houdini was recorded in 2013 instead of 1993 (Geez, has it really been that long?) it would’ve sounded like this. One listen to the massive “City Dump” will transport you back to the nonsensical thrash sludge of “Honey Bucket” and while we’re on the topic of “nonsensical”, let’s not overlook the “covers” on this beast. Namely “99 Bottles”, “Tie My Pecker to a Tree”, and “In The Army Now” which are a far cry from this year’s Everybody Loves Sausages covers album but fit into Tres Cabrones nicely.

For a 19th studio album, Tres… still sounds just as fresh as (the) Melvins earlier monstrosities and features some of their most accessible stuff to date like “Dogs And Cattle Prods” except for the almost nine minute length. Okay, “accessible” for (the) Melvins then. On the other hand, for every “traditional” song you get like “Doctor Mule” or the punk rock by way of The Ramones “Walter’s Lips” (A Lewd cover, actually, followed by the equally intense cover of “Stick ’em Up Bitch” by King B and Pop o Pies) there’s an “I Told You I was Crazy” waiting around the corner to bring you back down to (the) Melvins version of reality.

Tres Cabrones, a veritable smorgasbord of (the) Melvins-style goodness,  is out now through Ipecac Recordings

Grade: A

Mutoid Man’s Helium Head is the Verge-In album the world needs AND deserves!

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Verge-In is here! Sort of! It’s Helium Head, the debut EP from Cave In’s Stephen Brodsky and Converge’s Ben Koller (Or Cave In’s Ben Koller depending on what year it is) new group Mutoid Man! Exclamation! (Hey, you take a listen to this EP on repeat and tell me you’re not bouncing off the walls!)

It’s a two pronged sonic onslaught of delightful frenetic frenzy packed neatly into a seven track EP. If you’re a fan of either of the members’ respective “day jobs” then Helium Head has something for you. It’s also an album where if you blink, you might miss all the fun. Yeah, it’s that fast.

Koller, as always, is on fire here but it’s Brodsky who really shines in the end. Fans who thought he’s gone soft with age and let Caleb Scofield take on all the aggressive parts in Cave In need only listen to opener “Gnarcissist” or follow up “Scavengers” to know that not only is Brodsky still capable of bringing the heavy but he’s also still capable of bringing some noise not heard since the Until Your Heart Stops days. Just listen to “Friday the 13/8” or “Lost In The Hive” as Brodsky gets his rage on completely for more proof.

All around, Helium Head is a solid debut of unexpected chaos from two of Massachusetts finest and hopefully a great indicator of what’s to come.

Helium Head is out digitally on November 22nd and physically on November 26th. Check out the pre-order options over on Shirts & Destroy now.

 

Breton like you even if you’re a Tourist on new single “Envy”!

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Steel drums come alive tonight on Breton’s latest single off the forthcoming War Room Stories. There’s not much to say about “Envy” after you hear it once. It’s incredible and expands greatly on the sound the UK based filmmakers-turned-music wizards created on a series of EP’s and on their debut full-length, 2012’s Other People’s Problems.

“Envy” takes it all to the next level. It’s bouncier and is wholly more organic than some of Breton’s earlier works adding a Caribbean flair but still retaining their core sound.

The sure to be brilliant new album is due on February 3rd. Pre-order yours today right here and, of course, check out “Envy” over on Breton’s Soundcloud page!

 

Reverend & the Makers is back with “Your Girl”, new album!

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Easily my most favorite single of 2012, Reverend & the Makers’ Youth-produced “Bassline” was a throbbing good time of electrified dance floor goodness. Following up that single and the album that followed (@Reverend_Makers) would surely be no easy feat but here we stand in 2013 on the cusp of another Reverend classic in the making as the group, no collective, release “Your Girl” off the upcoming album  Thirty Two due in February of 2014.

Does it hold a candle to their other material? Oh yes! It’s like “Bassline” went off and mated with Liam Howlett and produced this beautiful bastard of club thumping awesome. You can decide for yourself by listening to “Your Girl” below and then head over to their Pledgemusic campaign page to support the new record and get some exclusive perks in the process (Including a house gig if you live in the UK).

Thirty Two is out on February 24th.

 

 

Lady Gaga is the shit! A Rock And Roll Fables review of ARTPOP

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I like Lady Gaga. I do. I was a fan when she first popped up on the scene during NKOTB’s comeback The Block  way, way back in 2008 and loved her debut and was even more taken back by the follow-up EP/mini-album The Fame Monster. Am I a fan of the theatrics, the fanfare, the persona? Nope. I grew up in a Marilyn Manson/Slipknot era of shock rock/metal so maybe I’m just desensitized to it all but the extra flair does nothing for me. However, it’s incredible that just listening to a Gaga track instantly evokes images of what the dance routine will be like on stage.

That said, I do believe that Stefani is a phenomenal performer. She captures that perfect mix of Britney and Christina but just does it better and on ARTPOP she immediately brings to mind a musical icon when she at times channels Madonna’s Confessions on a Dance Floor.

Born This Way was not the album that needed to follow the breakout success of “Bad Romance”. For all you monsters out there that felt slighted by her second studio album (I don’t consider myself a “monster” by the way), her third full-length will instantly quell your fears.

“Aura” is this gorgeous opener that draws listeners in with a subtle flamenco line and Gaga’s effects-laden vocals before giving way to a larger than life dance pop party as the pop star belts out  “Aura-a-a-ah!” circling back to the “Ra ra…” chorus of “Bad Romance”.

From there on out, ARTPOP gets bigger and bolder. “Venus” is a raucous space jam, “G.U.Y.” is a divine electro romp, and “Sexxx Dreams” is a funky yet filthy little ditty about, um, you can use your imagination. It also features a nifty little bass line that one could picture John Taylor popping up for (Speaking of, why has there been no Simon LeBon/Lady Gaga duet yet?).

T.I. turns up along with Too Short and Twista for “Jewels n’ Drugs” which could be compared to Miley Cyrus’ recent foray into hip hop but unlike Hannah Montana, Gaga just executes everything better.

Midway through is when ARTPOP gets really interesting as the album traverses the stratosphere on the atmospheric “Do What U Want” featuring R. Kelly and the title track which takes listeners to a whole different realm of awesome.

The lack of ballads is a plus in my book as well and luckily (For me, at least) when they do pop up they’re back to back and towards the end and followed by the massive “Applause” to close out a triumphant third album.

ARTPOP is out on November 11th. Order it here and here.
Grade: A

Nachtmystium head into oblivion on new single “Voyager”

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Blake Judd is heading towards the abyss. Drug problems. Band turmoil. You name it, he’s got it. One thing’s for sure, though, his musical integrity is still firmly intact. Despite his recent arrest, Judd is determined to power through and give fans one last hurrah and final albums from both his black metal supergroup Twilight and his main band Nachtmystium. Both are due out next year on Century Media and the first taste of the former is “Voyager”: a tumultuous 7 minute slab of sonic excess that once again reinvents Judd’s primary outfit.

At times hearkening back to 2008’s  Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1, “Vpyager” is a promising introduction to the already titled The World We Left Behind as Judd cries “No one can ever take away this lust!” repeatedly.

The World We Left Behind  is due in 2014 through Century Media. You can check out a stream of “Voyager” over on Stereogum.

 

 

 

Eminem is shit! A Rock And Roll Fables review of The Marshall Mathers LP 2

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While checking out the latest from Eminem I realized that I am a subscriber to your token “white backwards hat wearing frat guy dude” in terms of my hip hop likes. Beastie Boys, Kanye West, Childish Gambino and yes, Eminem are all staples in my collection (Although I will say I really only listen to the former three on a regular basis. Sorry Slim!)

In terms of hip hop, I’m not an expert. I just know what I like. Black Sheep’s A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing is probably one of my all time favorites but then I go straight to Ice Cube’s Raw Footage or the CB4 soundtrack. In conclusion, I’m all over the place. But enough about me, we’re here for Marshall!

In short, the Rick Rubin/Dr. Dre-produced  album sounds forced and contrived. Remember when Korn reunited with Ross Robinson and released III: Remember Who You Are? Of course you don’t because it was awful. Same thing here. You can never go home again and as an artist, why would you want to?

“Bad Guy” starts off The Marshall Mathers LP 2 promising enough and brings to mind the dense opening track from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy but like most of the bloated tracks you’ll come to experience here it soon devolves into a juvenile rant that would’ve been fine on Eminem’s debut but here in 2013 it just sounds silly (Ooooh! Stan’s younger brother has come back to seek revenge!).

There’s moments of course like on “Rhyme Or Reason” featuring a familiar sample of The Zombies’ “Time Of The Season” or, actually no, those “moments” are few and far between. It’s a lyric here or a beat there but mostly TMMLP2 is a been there, done that record of forgettable nonsense that doesn’t hold a candle to Em’s peers. I won’t even begin on the the laughable and already panned “Bezerk”! I mean, c’mon, your first single is getting sold to a video game off the bat?!?! Or “So Much Better” because we needed another song about how awful your life life is and how another blonde betrayed you. You’re 41 for chissakes! Get over it or at least start making better choices.

I had this epiphany about halfway through the album which was maybe I’m just getting too old to appreciate a new record from Eminem but at the end of the day it’s like I said: I know what I like and I know I don’t like this!

The Marshall Mathers LP 2 is out now for those that are interested.
Grade: F

Middle Class Rut release “Dead Eye” performance clip!

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I had the honor of interviewing Middle Class Rut drummer/vocalist Sean Stockham soon after MCR’s second album Pick Up Your Head was released and he mentioned how “Dead Eye” was a last minute addition to the record. Last minute or not, it’s undoubtedly one of the strongest songs on the album (And my favorite). While fans await the premiere of the “official” clip of “Dead Eye” (Filmed in Anchorage, Alaska), MCR have released a performance clip of the song filmed during their recent tour as a part of the Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival.

Pick Up Your Head is out now. Watch the video for “Dead Eye” below: