I was sitting on the train the other day and listening to this very album, you know the first thing that struck me was how 'NEW' it sounded people! That's right I said new. I am aware that this album had its release back in 1977, but it still sounds fresh, exciting and as angry as it did over 30 years ago. Tonight I am talking that Sex Pistols one and only classic, Never Mind The Bollocks.
Where do I begin with this album, I am hoping that the few people that actually read this have listened to this album before. I would be very surprised if you hadn't, even if it is just God Save The Queen or Anarchy In The UK, you would at some point have been subjected to this record. I honestly cant remember my first real experience with NMTB, (that's how I will refer to it further on) I know I would have been fairly young and probably naive, well no in fact definitely naive to how mind blowingly brilliant this album actually is.
Lets talk punk for a moment, now punk I like, punk i be honest is not my strongest point when it comes to genres. And i am talking about real punk not your Blink 182 or your Green Day people but real late 70s punk, because that is when punk was born and that's where punk died OK! Good got that out now, a few people will disagree with me on the whole punk died theory but its the truth! Punk is an attitude and a lifestyle, good old fashioned traditional punk went a long time ago. Sex Pistols were for me the leaders of that pack! Again I have to be so careful what i say now, because being born in 1983 I cant really comment on the 'true' nature of punk or what it did to a nation but i can only comment on the affect I am aware it had on people through what i have watched or read. Also I know a lot of people like The Clash, but i just prefer the Sex Pistols. That's that now out of the way, i am waffling lets get back to the record now!
The sound of this album comes from the fact that Chris Thomas, their producer took a different approach to recording the band. On most traditional punk records at the time it was all about the Raw and Live aspect of it, but Chris took a more technical approach. Using Overdubs lefts right and centre, allegedly having about 13 guitars on it at any one time! Apparently!! It was loud and raucous and overblown but sounded so tight! It was pure class what they managed to get out those boys. The Sex Pistols were probably not the most technical of bands, but what they did know they knew well and that came across on this record. Just listening to tracks like Bodies for example, that song literally spits at you from across the room and then punches you in the stomach to deliver a final blow with that almighty outro! Powerful and ever deadly its then best song on that album for me and defines that record as a whole. You have the obvious tracks on there like God Save The Queen and Anarchy In the UK, don't forget Pretty Vacant too, that's an understated record I think, pure class.
The bottom line is, i listen to this album a lot and never get bored of it. It screams at me, it fires me up but most of it makes me believe in British Rock n Roll every time! And that's the clincher for me. Long Live The Sex Pistols and may Never Mind The Bollocks fuck your mind!!!!
Friday, 13 February 2009
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Blue
Now this next album I know some people were quite surprised it was on my list. Not really an album I talk about much but certainly an album I hold very close to my heart. This album in question is 'Blue' by Joni Mitchell.
I'm not a massive joni mitchell fan really, not a fan of her jazz side anyways, but Blue is different for me and I am going to try explain why.
I first heard this album because of one song and that was River. I heard a version of it by Travis, which was ok but I knew it was a beautiful song, and hoped the original was much better, and for sure it was better than I could ever imagine. That song alone made me chase down this album. I remember buying it a number of years ago. It was not like anything I was listening too at the time. With its gentle rhythms and subtle tones it was the polar opposite to anything I was experiencing. But I made a connection. Everytime I listen to it it just clicks for me. Its a combination of Joni Mitchells playing and vocals that make this serene and the most beautiful thing put down on record.
Its full of the obvious themes of love and heartbreak and obviously being the 60s the revolving factors that affected it too. She has the knack of pulling heart strings and not even realising she is doing it.
Many people have tried to replicate her style and this album but have never come close. Listen to tracks like River, Blue, My Old Man and Little Green and just close your eyes and let her in to your heart. You will be beside yourself with emotion and you won't want to look back.
I'm not a massive joni mitchell fan really, not a fan of her jazz side anyways, but Blue is different for me and I am going to try explain why.
I first heard this album because of one song and that was River. I heard a version of it by Travis, which was ok but I knew it was a beautiful song, and hoped the original was much better, and for sure it was better than I could ever imagine. That song alone made me chase down this album. I remember buying it a number of years ago. It was not like anything I was listening too at the time. With its gentle rhythms and subtle tones it was the polar opposite to anything I was experiencing. But I made a connection. Everytime I listen to it it just clicks for me. Its a combination of Joni Mitchells playing and vocals that make this serene and the most beautiful thing put down on record.
Its full of the obvious themes of love and heartbreak and obviously being the 60s the revolving factors that affected it too. She has the knack of pulling heart strings and not even realising she is doing it.
Many people have tried to replicate her style and this album but have never come close. Listen to tracks like River, Blue, My Old Man and Little Green and just close your eyes and let her in to your heart. You will be beside yourself with emotion and you won't want to look back.
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Who's Next
This next album I was only listening to the other day, so I thought it would be best to write it about now. Who's Next by The Who is that album in question. It was the first time for a little while I have listened to it. I mean I love The Who, one of the best bands in rock history I think. They are one of the supergroups, a band who has individual artists that are excellent at what they do. I don't think anyone could argue with me on that. They were all one of the best in their particular field.
I chose Who's Next for a few reasons really. Its the best Who album without a doubt. It was this album for them that changed the way their albums sounded. They experimented with snyths on tracks like Baba OReilly and Won't Get Fooled Again. They used it so effectively that it just sounds right! Simple. Secondly for me its an album of great musicianship. The guitar playing is phenomenal, its in a class of its own. Riffs that just glide right through but pack an almighty punch. The drums on it too are something else. Keith Moon had this amazing knack of being crazy and all over place but sound so melodic and in control! Listen to what the Ox plays too on this album. So refined with punchy sounds that blow your eardrums off and into a new dimension, he also sings on My Wife! And Daltrey has his best vocal performances on this record and that's fact.
I think what The Who tried to do with this album was push that boundary that they created with Tommy. They made a line on that album and with Who's Next they blew it up and it exploded into a million pieces for them to piece together and create absolute genius.
If you haven't experienced this album and you love ballsy Rock N Roll that wants nothing from you then to just listen, then I recommend you take the opportunity to fall in love with this amazing album.
Cosmic Out
I chose Who's Next for a few reasons really. Its the best Who album without a doubt. It was this album for them that changed the way their albums sounded. They experimented with snyths on tracks like Baba OReilly and Won't Get Fooled Again. They used it so effectively that it just sounds right! Simple. Secondly for me its an album of great musicianship. The guitar playing is phenomenal, its in a class of its own. Riffs that just glide right through but pack an almighty punch. The drums on it too are something else. Keith Moon had this amazing knack of being crazy and all over place but sound so melodic and in control! Listen to what the Ox plays too on this album. So refined with punchy sounds that blow your eardrums off and into a new dimension, he also sings on My Wife! And Daltrey has his best vocal performances on this record and that's fact.
I think what The Who tried to do with this album was push that boundary that they created with Tommy. They made a line on that album and with Who's Next they blew it up and it exploded into a million pieces for them to piece together and create absolute genius.
If you haven't experienced this album and you love ballsy Rock N Roll that wants nothing from you then to just listen, then I recommend you take the opportunity to fall in love with this amazing album.
Cosmic Out
Friday, 23 January 2009
Definitely, Maybe
I wanna talk about my love for this album, more particularly my love for this band! The album in question, and the start of my Top 10 Albums of All Time, is Definitely, Maybe by Oasis.
Anyone that knows me, knows this is no shock that I have picked this album for this list. Anyone that knows me also will know that I am little obsessed with this band. So no real surprises that Definitely, Maybe is in my Top 10. The thing is where do I start?
Think back to 1994, if your that old to remember, to be honest I would have been 11 I think and was really into Nirvana at the time of Cobains death. It was that year that for me opened my eyes and most importantly my ears to Oasis. Now it was 'Whatever' that I heard first. A single only release and never on an album, but it was that song and an older school friend who got me hooked on this band. I remember listening and just thinking Wow! Now I still to this day, don't know why? I mean I love these guys to bits but why was I so enthralled by this band. I mean they were not pioneers or anything new, and they would be the first to tell you that. It was something instant, almost magical that I connected with. They are the reason I learnt how to play guitar, reason I joint a band, reason I started to write songs, they are responsible for definitely 60% of my music collection and this list could go on. Let me just state right now, they are my favourite band of all time! There you go, out the way now, done and out in the open, now let's continue.
Now I could have picked any of their albums to be in this list, I think they are all amazing in they own way and all have something special to offer. But Definitely, Maybe does stand out. This essential punk rock, glam offering that they give you is one of the biggest triumphs in British music history.
Some of my favourite tracks of all time are on this album, Live Forever, Supersonic, Slide Away. All amazing songs that require your full attention. This album makes you feel alive, it gets into your psyche and stays there, warms the heart and opens the mind.
I know many people have heard this album and would have made their mind up about it already. If you are new to it then well your either a ghost!? Or literally been living under a rock and 100ft underneath that! Hear it, listen to it, experience what I did and make a connection that you won't want to let go. This album is full of anthems for late nights, mind provoking sentiments and drug fuelled trips. Love it, hate it, I don't care, this album will stay with me forever and that's an amazing feeling!
Anyone that knows me, knows this is no shock that I have picked this album for this list. Anyone that knows me also will know that I am little obsessed with this band. So no real surprises that Definitely, Maybe is in my Top 10. The thing is where do I start?
Think back to 1994, if your that old to remember, to be honest I would have been 11 I think and was really into Nirvana at the time of Cobains death. It was that year that for me opened my eyes and most importantly my ears to Oasis. Now it was 'Whatever' that I heard first. A single only release and never on an album, but it was that song and an older school friend who got me hooked on this band. I remember listening and just thinking Wow! Now I still to this day, don't know why? I mean I love these guys to bits but why was I so enthralled by this band. I mean they were not pioneers or anything new, and they would be the first to tell you that. It was something instant, almost magical that I connected with. They are the reason I learnt how to play guitar, reason I joint a band, reason I started to write songs, they are responsible for definitely 60% of my music collection and this list could go on. Let me just state right now, they are my favourite band of all time! There you go, out the way now, done and out in the open, now let's continue.
Now I could have picked any of their albums to be in this list, I think they are all amazing in they own way and all have something special to offer. But Definitely, Maybe does stand out. This essential punk rock, glam offering that they give you is one of the biggest triumphs in British music history.
Some of my favourite tracks of all time are on this album, Live Forever, Supersonic, Slide Away. All amazing songs that require your full attention. This album makes you feel alive, it gets into your psyche and stays there, warms the heart and opens the mind.
I know many people have heard this album and would have made their mind up about it already. If you are new to it then well your either a ghost!? Or literally been living under a rock and 100ft underneath that! Hear it, listen to it, experience what I did and make a connection that you won't want to let go. This album is full of anthems for late nights, mind provoking sentiments and drug fuelled trips. Love it, hate it, I don't care, this album will stay with me forever and that's an amazing feeling!
Friday, 16 January 2009
Top 10 Albums of All Time
We all love lists! Well I do anyway. Top 10's, Top 5's, Best Tracks of 2008, etc.. Well my next section to my wondrous blog is going to be my Top 10 Albums of All Time.
This list has seen many changes over the last year or so. Musical tastes change a bit, what I am listening too at the time makes changes to the list. But what this Top 10 essentially is, is a list of my top albums that I consider to be truly remarkable. They are albums they I have made a connection with, albums I can listen to all the time and never tire of and they are albums that for me are a true work of genius. I will over the next 10 blogs talk about how I came to my final decision and what it is about each individual album I love so much.
I am doing this because my list made a change recently. A change that was expected, something that wasn't obvious to me straight away but a change had to be made. I will talk about which album that was later, but for now here are my Top 10 Albums of All Time:
Oasis - Definitely Maybe
The Beatles - Revolver
The Who - Who's Next
Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon
Joni Mitchell - Blue
The Pretty Things - S.F. Sorrow
Funeral For A Friend - Casually Dressed and Deep in Conversation
Scott Walker - Scott 4
Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker
Sex Pistols - Never Mind The Bollocks
Now there you go its out there for all to see. My greatest albums of all time for you to discuss and argue about, with me I hope! Have a look and I will convince you that my list makes sense and I may even convert some of you.
Peace & Love to The Cosmic Generation
This list has seen many changes over the last year or so. Musical tastes change a bit, what I am listening too at the time makes changes to the list. But what this Top 10 essentially is, is a list of my top albums that I consider to be truly remarkable. They are albums they I have made a connection with, albums I can listen to all the time and never tire of and they are albums that for me are a true work of genius. I will over the next 10 blogs talk about how I came to my final decision and what it is about each individual album I love so much.
I am doing this because my list made a change recently. A change that was expected, something that wasn't obvious to me straight away but a change had to be made. I will talk about which album that was later, but for now here are my Top 10 Albums of All Time:
Oasis - Definitely Maybe
The Beatles - Revolver
The Who - Who's Next
Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon
Joni Mitchell - Blue
The Pretty Things - S.F. Sorrow
Funeral For A Friend - Casually Dressed and Deep in Conversation
Scott Walker - Scott 4
Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker
Sex Pistols - Never Mind The Bollocks
Now there you go its out there for all to see. My greatest albums of all time for you to discuss and argue about, with me I hope! Have a look and I will convince you that my list makes sense and I may even convert some of you.
Peace & Love to The Cosmic Generation
Monday, 12 January 2009
Very Good Albums of 2008!!
My top 5 is obviously quite important, but it wasn't easy to come up with just 5 albums last year. It was a great year music I thought. Some truly exceptional albums that can't afford to be not talked about because I limited myself to 5. I just want go through some right now and just list a few that really stuck in my head and made an impression. Here's a quick rundown in particular order.
Santogold - Santogold
Portishead - Third
Kids In Glass Houses - Smart Casual
Glasvegas - Glasvegas
Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone
Funeral For A Friend - Memory & Humanity
The Verve - Forth
Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - Angles
The Rascals - Rascalize
The Metros - More Money Less Grief
Futureheads - This Is Not The World
Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Panic At The Disco - Pretty Odd
Does It Offend You Yeah - You Have No Idea What Your Getting Yourself Into
Black Kids - Partie Traumatic
The Raconteurs - Consolers Of The Lonely
Just a small list to mull over for a bit, good albums all of them, some of them even great, a couple was in the Top 5 at some point!
Peace & Love to The Cosmic Generation!
Santogold - Santogold
Portishead - Third
Kids In Glass Houses - Smart Casual
Glasvegas - Glasvegas
Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone
Funeral For A Friend - Memory & Humanity
The Verve - Forth
Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - Angles
The Rascals - Rascalize
The Metros - More Money Less Grief
Futureheads - This Is Not The World
Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Panic At The Disco - Pretty Odd
Does It Offend You Yeah - You Have No Idea What Your Getting Yourself Into
Black Kids - Partie Traumatic
The Raconteurs - Consolers Of The Lonely
Just a small list to mull over for a bit, good albums all of them, some of them even great, a couple was in the Top 5 at some point!
Peace & Love to The Cosmic Generation!
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Top 5 Albums of 2008 - MGMT
This will officially be the last post based around my Top 5 albums of 2008. Its been wicked letting you guys know about why I chose my 5. This last album did not originally make the list because I had it in my head it came out the year before! I don't know why, I am usually really good at remember release dates/years. So after finding out that 'Oracular Spectacular' by MGMT came out in 2008 I was pleased. A move had to be made and an album was sacrificed for this ones inclusion.
So why this album, well first off it is infectious! Tell me you don't listen to it and then just want to listen to it again. It has this zen like magic attached to it that just makes it a special record. It is fair to say that its not exactly original with its bowiesque themes and indie disco beats, but it has character and scope that holds its own.
Listen to tracks like Time To Pretend or Kids and just listen to not just the obvious beats that are played over the top but the little intricate beeps and squeals that make those tracks special. Oracular is the soundtrack to fuelled up night out for the cosmic generation that appreciate its beauty and just want get up and dance and shout.
I have to say when I first heard it I did not warm to it straight away. So if you have the same reaction, persevere with it, believe me it will connect and then fall into place. Download Time To Pretend, Weekend Wars and Kids if you want overall feel for the album. But failing that just buy the damn thingn you won't regret it.
So that's it peeps, my best of 2008 has come to an end. My next blog will be a simple list of other albums I enjoyed Last year and check it out in the next couple of days.
Peace and Love to 'The Cosmic Generation'
So why this album, well first off it is infectious! Tell me you don't listen to it and then just want to listen to it again. It has this zen like magic attached to it that just makes it a special record. It is fair to say that its not exactly original with its bowiesque themes and indie disco beats, but it has character and scope that holds its own.
Listen to tracks like Time To Pretend or Kids and just listen to not just the obvious beats that are played over the top but the little intricate beeps and squeals that make those tracks special. Oracular is the soundtrack to fuelled up night out for the cosmic generation that appreciate its beauty and just want get up and dance and shout.
I have to say when I first heard it I did not warm to it straight away. So if you have the same reaction, persevere with it, believe me it will connect and then fall into place. Download Time To Pretend, Weekend Wars and Kids if you want overall feel for the album. But failing that just buy the damn thingn you won't regret it.
So that's it peeps, my best of 2008 has come to an end. My next blog will be a simple list of other albums I enjoyed Last year and check it out in the next couple of days.
Peace and Love to 'The Cosmic Generation'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
