Pain of Salvation - Karachay: Inside Out
This has always been a favorite track from One Hour by the Concrete Lake, but I don't often see it mentioned by fans. Why? I have no clue to be honest, other than the fact the whole record is sort of looked down upon a little bit per both the production and maybe more so the albums before and after it are so fucking good.
But the inspiration by singling this one out mostly from 1 of the most recent episodes of the Pain of Salvation documentary series from 2007-2011? included it and reminded me how much I loved it. It's a track I have not listened to in many years sadly, but I'm glad I did.
Musically, it always was a bit like Pain of Salvation doing a progressive Power Metal tune. A little like the Andre Matos-Angra from the 90's, with the fast keys and energetic guitar riff and drum work. And the dynamics work really well, and close out One Hour by the Concrete Lake with a big climax.
One other note, it actually has the "Karachay" prefix/subname as One Hour is a concept album about a lake and environmental concerns; and the lake, refers to Lake Karachay. I honestly never realized this, at least in song titles. The final 4 tracks (Suite?) all refer to Lake Karachay, just as the "Spirit of Man" and "Part of the Machine" refer to 2 other "suites" of sorts on the album as well.
Showing posts with label Meaningful Songs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Meaningful Songs. Show all posts
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Thursday, January 3, 2019
Meaningful Songs: Joe Jackson - Stepping Out
Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out
I can honestly say, this is a totally stone cold classic pop tune. So memorable and now seems to give me goosebumps.
As short as possible: I am pretty certain I knew this tune years ago. One of those 80's hits/1-hit wonders. Although I kind of think I may have confused it with either Steve Winwood or Bruce Hornsby and the Range.
And I hardly know his catalog, but from reading some and knowing a few of his other popular songs, this one is very much an isolated type of track; i.e. he doesn't really have any other tunes, or at least Hits like this ("Is She Really Going Out With Him" sounds NOTHING like this).
It almost sounds like a Billy Joel tune in some ways.
Anyway, it's really pleasant and inspiring. Epic in some ways, with its xylophone/bells and vocal melodies. Like someone whose ascending or transitioning..maybe to be more extroverted? maybe coming out of the closet? I dunno, but it sounds fantastic still. Like "Take on Me" or even some of those huge Toto hits, there's something special about it, even just the production sounds pristine.
I can honestly say, this is a totally stone cold classic pop tune. So memorable and now seems to give me goosebumps.
As short as possible: I am pretty certain I knew this tune years ago. One of those 80's hits/1-hit wonders. Although I kind of think I may have confused it with either Steve Winwood or Bruce Hornsby and the Range.
And I hardly know his catalog, but from reading some and knowing a few of his other popular songs, this one is very much an isolated type of track; i.e. he doesn't really have any other tunes, or at least Hits like this ("Is She Really Going Out With Him" sounds NOTHING like this).
It almost sounds like a Billy Joel tune in some ways.
Anyway, it's really pleasant and inspiring. Epic in some ways, with its xylophone/bells and vocal melodies. Like someone whose ascending or transitioning..maybe to be more extroverted? maybe coming out of the closet? I dunno, but it sounds fantastic still. Like "Take on Me" or even some of those huge Toto hits, there's something special about it, even just the production sounds pristine.
Friday, October 5, 2018
Meaningful Songs: Menomena - The Monkey's Back
Menomena - The Monkey's Back
While this hardly is the Menomena song I've listened to the most nor the catchiest (see Wet and Rusting) this is probably the most progressive or epic track they ever made.
Absolutely love the almost vintage synth tone Brent Knopf uses that is incredibly haunting.
The dense power chords come in and then settle down to what sounds likes many layers of hammond organs create this great atmosphere.
So I fed him poison grapes
He spit the seeds into my face
And he escapes
To germinate
Weave and till my skin
Sprout seeds, chrysanthemum
Pull the weeds from my chin
We begin
On the monkey's back
On the monkey's back
While this hardly is the Menomena song I've listened to the most nor the catchiest (see Wet and Rusting) this is probably the most progressive or epic track they ever made.
Absolutely love the almost vintage synth tone Brent Knopf uses that is incredibly haunting.
The dense power chords come in and then settle down to what sounds likes many layers of hammond organs create this great atmosphere.
So I fed him poison grapes
He spit the seeds into my face
And he escapes
To germinate
Weave and till my skin
Sprout seeds, chrysanthemum
Pull the weeds from my chin
We begin
On the monkey's back
On the monkey's back
Meaningful Songs: Faith No More - The Real Thing
Faith No More - The Real Thing
Maybe my favorite Faith No More and Mike Patton vocal performance ever.
Patton screams, yells, speaks (raps) and sings cleanly throughout the dynamic changes and vocal acrobatics on this track.
I know the feeling
It is the real thing
You can't refuse the embrace...
It's like the pattern below the skin
You gotta reach out and pull it all in
And you feel like you're too close
So you swallow another dose
The pinnacle of happiness
Filling up your soul
Maybe my favorite Faith No More and Mike Patton vocal performance ever.
Patton screams, yells, speaks (raps) and sings cleanly throughout the dynamic changes and vocal acrobatics on this track.
I know the feeling
It is the real thing
You can't refuse the embrace...
It's like the pattern below the skin
You gotta reach out and pull it all in
And you feel like you're too close
So you swallow another dose
The pinnacle of happiness
Filling up your soul
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Meaningful Songs: Styx - Suite Madame Blue
Styx - Suite Madame Blue
I enjoy quite a lot of Styx tunes, but I guess even as popular as this track is, I still consider it their most mesmerizing piece.
The vocal lines and synths alone make this incredibly moving and goose bump worthy.
I enjoy quite a lot of Styx tunes, but I guess even as popular as this track is, I still consider it their most mesmerizing piece.
The vocal lines and synths alone make this incredibly moving and goose bump worthy.
Meaningful Songs: Al Di Meola - Race With the Devil on the Spanish Highway
Al Di Meola - Race With the Devil on the Spanish Highway
Mindblowingly fast, yet catchy somehow. This is my favorite Al Di Meola composition and it may be the greatest example how technical playing can be accessible.
the main hook's interval pattern is pure genius.
Mindblowingly fast, yet catchy somehow. This is my favorite Al Di Meola composition and it may be the greatest example how technical playing can be accessible.
the main hook's interval pattern is pure genius.
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Meaningful Songs: Queen - The Prophet's Song
Queen - The Prophets Song
Probably their most progressive-rock like tune (sorry Bohemian Rhapsody) and also their greatest achievement with Vocal layering and Vocal harmonies.
The way the verses get overdubbed just blows my mind every time.
And now I know, now I know, now I know, now I know....
Probably their most progressive-rock like tune (sorry Bohemian Rhapsody) and also their greatest achievement with Vocal layering and Vocal harmonies.
The way the verses get overdubbed just blows my mind every time.
And now I know, now I know, now I know, now I know....
Meaningful Songs: I Mother Earth - Earth, Sky, and C
I Mother Earth - Earth Sky and C
The rhythms and drums/percussion are unbelievably infectious here.
I love a handful of I Mother Earth tunes, but if I had to pick just 1, it's this one.
The "C" I recall refers to Carlos Santana, and there's this incredible Santana-vibe here.
The groove is just so addictive....
The rhythms and drums/percussion are unbelievably infectious here.
I love a handful of I Mother Earth tunes, but if I had to pick just 1, it's this one.
The "C" I recall refers to Carlos Santana, and there's this incredible Santana-vibe here.
The groove is just so addictive....
Meaningful Songs: Wolf Parade - Kissing the Beehive
Wolf Parade - Kissing the Beehive
The energy, flow, and catchy-ness of this song is off the fucking charts.
I love the At.Mt Zoomer record, but this song itself is a stone cold classic. I don't know if I'll ever get sick of it. The earworm stays with me for hours or even days after playing it.
The energy, flow, and catchy-ness of this song is off the fucking charts.
I love the At.Mt Zoomer record, but this song itself is a stone cold classic. I don't know if I'll ever get sick of it. The earworm stays with me for hours or even days after playing it.
Monday, October 1, 2018
Meaningful Songs: Kaddisfly - Via Rail
Kaddisfly - Via Rail
This song almost single handed-ly made a much bigger fan of Kaddisfly.
The layers and emotion that comes through in the climax is godly. The section with the lyrics below being one of the greatest sections of Rock music I've ever heard. It's like spilling the guts out of spirits that go back centuries.
The nest of clay was forged for eternity atop the corner of the world,
while the ocean floor was now covered in gold, silver, and sand.
So build a house of clay and never ever, ever, ever underestimate
what the dead can do for the living.
If you listen closely you'll hear the harmony of
every man and woman who's passed away
You better believe it's a song for the living.
This song almost single handed-ly made a much bigger fan of Kaddisfly.
The layers and emotion that comes through in the climax is godly. The section with the lyrics below being one of the greatest sections of Rock music I've ever heard. It's like spilling the guts out of spirits that go back centuries.
The nest of clay was forged for eternity atop the corner of the world,
while the ocean floor was now covered in gold, silver, and sand.
So build a house of clay and never ever, ever, ever underestimate
what the dead can do for the living.
If you listen closely you'll hear the harmony of
every man and woman who's passed away
You better believe it's a song for the living.
Meaningful Songs: Dream Theater - Scarred
New series, which given it hopefully will be short in length and detail. Sometimes I may just write 1 sentence or less, I dunno. I just thought about this the other day, as a way to post more often quickly.
So I may post 10 or more of these per week. No certainty, but at least from a time stand point, they may not require as much as albums and artist anecdotes, etc.
Dream Theater - Scarred
Short and sweet. Probably my go-to as a favorite Dream Theater song. Lyrically and musically. It's perfect. It's dark prog metal with more than 1 message or emotional side to it.
The section with the lyrics
And how come you don't understand me?
And how come I don't understand you?
Thirty years say we're in this together
So open your eyes.
People in prayer for me
Everyone there for me
Sometimes I feel I should face this alone
My soul exposed
It calms me to know that I won't
This is gut-wrenching as any lyrics I've ever heard. And you combine it with the intensity and goosebumps just come in faster than a speeding bullet.
So I may post 10 or more of these per week. No certainty, but at least from a time stand point, they may not require as much as albums and artist anecdotes, etc.
Dream Theater - Scarred
Short and sweet. Probably my go-to as a favorite Dream Theater song. Lyrically and musically. It's perfect. It's dark prog metal with more than 1 message or emotional side to it.
The section with the lyrics
And how come you don't understand me?
And how come I don't understand you?
Thirty years say we're in this together
So open your eyes.
People in prayer for me
Everyone there for me
Sometimes I feel I should face this alone
My soul exposed
It calms me to know that I won't
This is gut-wrenching as any lyrics I've ever heard. And you combine it with the intensity and goosebumps just come in faster than a speeding bullet.
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