Friday
Jul052013
On Great, New Music
Friday, July 5, 2013 at 12:01AM Something occurred to me the other day. I can't remember the last time I listened to Motley Crue. Or Poison. I think I've spun Def Leppard once in the last year or so. I don't even remember the last time I listened to Ozzy (before the new Black Sabbath CD came out).
Don't get me wrong, of the 4000+ CDs in my collection, most of them came out before 'Nevermind' did. I love all that stuff. If it comes on the radio, I'd turn it up and sing along. But there is so much great new music happening today, that I struggle to find the time to listen to it all, without going back to the songs of my teen years. And I work from home, I listen to music ALL DAY.
Part of this is that, as a guitar player, I've started to discover some of the amazing pickers in the realm of country guitar. Brad Paisely may be mainstream and have some pretty awful songs, but when he starts shredding, he leaves a lot of rock players in his dust. John 5's solo albums have a lot of amazing country picking in them, and Johnny Hiland is just flat out amazing ( he is an instrumental country player whose albums feature Stu Hamm ( who played on "Surfin with the Alien") and Billy Sheehan ( do I need to tell you who he is ?) on bass. But, this is BBG!, so I don't expect many of you want to hear about that...
As far as rock and metal is concerned, for me I think it started with 'Nightmare', that's the album when I went back and realised how brilliant Avenged Sevenfold are. They have a new album coming this year. From there I had another listen and realised I really love Rob Zombie. He has a new album out, called 'Venomous Rat Regeneration Machine.' It's really, really good. Of course everyone hear knows that I think Stone Sour's 'House of Gold and Bones' part 1 and 2 are some of the best music I've ever heard. They are only recently falling off my play list, because I have so many other things I want to listen to.
Of course, everyone knows that Black Sabbath have a new CD. I bought the deluxe edition box set, but I admit, I expected nothing but glowing reviews for a lacklustre product. Thankfully, I was wrong. I preferred Dio in Black Sabbath in the past, but, I think 13 is way better than 'The Devil You Know'. I've been listening to it a lot. On top of that, Black Star Riders CD is finally out ( for those who don't know, this is the band that contains Scott Gorman and has been touring as Thin Lizzy ). It's fantastic. If you like Thin Lizzy, then you'll love all of this. Not to mention the new Deep Purple (which I only bought because Bob Ezrin produced it, and it's their best in decades ), the new Avantasia (a band created by Tobias from Edguy. They do only concept albums, they are Euro metal with a lot of guests), and so on.
The new Megadeth was not great to my ears but I admit, I have so much to listen to, it's still in my pile for me to give it a better chance than it's had so far. Of course, Tom Keifer has finally released new music, and it's excellent. On top of that, Five Finger Death Punch are on the verge of a new CD (in fact, they are copying Stone Sour and releasing two with a gap between), and I've just discovered 'Burning Rain', a band started by Doug Aldrich in 1999, they have a new CD and the two older ones have just been reissued.
And then there is Airbourne. My first intention was to write a review of their new CD,' Black Dog Barking.' A lot of people have written to compare this band to AC/DC, which is not an invalid comparison. I've seen newer reviews trying to compare the new CD to other bands, like Def Leppard. I don't hear that at all. I don't think Airbourne were ever just ripping off AC/DC, they are simply starting from the same tradition, Aussie pub rock. They are still in that tradition, they are just growing within that framework, the same as AC/DC did, and I still don't hear anything that I think would be out of place on a Bon Scott era AC/DC album. That doesn't mean they don't have their own sound, they do, and it gets better with every CD. The song 'Black Dog Barking' is a predictable stab at 'Idol' type competition winners, who have 'nothing on the inside' and 'never learned to play'. I'm not sure I agree, but, they sure know who their audience is, and know how to please. I'm very much looking forward to seeing them in Canberra later this month. The deluxe edition has a handful of extra songs (all good) and a live CD (to my ears, not a good mix, I doubt I'd play it again ). If you really want to 'Bring Back Glam!', I recommend buying some of the CDs I've mentioned, and seeing these bands when you get a chance.
Reader Comments (19)
I think that draws us in as readers and keeps us interested. It is so rare--especially nowadays--to see a troll try to shame your followers or take a jab at you. And, when they do, this site usually self-corrects their mistake and they are never heard from again.
While I am not as wide-ranging as you, I try my best to listen to music that moves me (as lame as that sounds). And, as I have posted before, those finds are all over the map and have been for most of my life. My first love is still metal, it is still my go-to style. But one can't deny the pull of a good song or a good verse or a good solo just because it isn't metal.
So thanks Allyson. It's nice to come to a place where the keeper of the keys has created a community that is dedicated, civil, and engaged.
PS: The new Deep Purple is their best in ages (even "Vincent Price" is amazing to listen to or watch). The new Megadeth strikes me as being more in line with _Risk_, with some great moments sprinkled around for fans that aren't so worried about Mustaine's politics or religious beliefs ("The Blackest Crow" strikes me as one of those moments), or wanting him to act like he is twenty-something still.
Airbourne just plain out rocks. Who cares if it "sounds" like something... You put any of their cd's in and seems to me you just go a little bit over that speed limit.
Stone Sour's (who I wasn't a fan of early and definitely not a Slipknot fan) new release is really good too as stated.
Going to pick up Black Sabbath one of these days, just haven't yet.
New Megadeth ? Meh... I kind of just lost interest in Dave for some reason. Although I jam them all the time.
Zombie's new one, is another one on the xmas wish list.
I think Christian is in the boat with a lot of us. SO much new music gets pumped out that's its tough to keep up. I for one as I get older find myself even more all over the place when listening to a genre. Ipod "random" is the only thing that keeps me sane and concentrating on the road.
I have been a music fan forever, and it started with Casey Kasem's American Top 40, back in the mid 70s through the late 80s. That is when music had mystery attached to it. You never knew what the album looked like or even how the artist's faces glowed. You had to imagine it. You waited my the radio to hear your favorite songs. You heard songs from Joan Jett "I love Rock and Roll" all the way to Men At Work, to Quiet Riot "Metal Health" to Boston.
With that being said, once I heard Pyromania, I was hooked on Glam/Rock/metal
After moving away from home, I learned that country music spoke to me, and yes....it is good if you give it a chance. I also appreciate GOOD music that moves your soul and makes you feel good. No matter if it is a Polka or the newest release from Airbourne.
Brad Paisley was voted among the top 100 guitar players EVER. Yes, a country boy who wails. The top list was in the Classic Rock magazine a couple years ago.
For the last 7 or 8 years now, my 80s glam groups have been making a comeback in popularity, and putting country music aside, I have been stuck listening to my old catalog. However, through this site and a good friend in Pittsburgh, I have branched out and have been listening to newer bands with the same 80s melodic, rock, Heavy Metal vibe. It is amazing how much great music is being put out, and yes, it is hard to keep up with.
Just recently, I am really branching out! Thanks to this site and my 15 yr old. Black Veil Brides, Pop Evil, Volbeat, Five Finger Death Punch. Thanks for keep the interest alive with all kinds of stuff. At 44 years old, I still feel alive when putting in new, old or any kind of music.
And yes, all those new artists are also excellent, esp Stone Sour. 5FDP are also a great live act, if you've not seen them, you should try.
Van Halen 1, side 1, track...all of 'em. start to finish. do not pass go, do not collect 200 bucks. go right to Van Halen. NOW!
dumbass.
And I'll add: don't always agree with Christian, but enjoy reading what he writes. Like I said, this site draws in a diverse, but generally respectful, group of readers (and writers). It's why I keep coming back.
Out of curiosity: what is your favorite track off the new Sabbath, Christian?
Cue up "Rumble" by Link Wray. Here we go...
Oh, the "Comedy" continues!
Christian, I love you, man, but is just so comical how you keep trying to hi-jack this site to foist your UNROCK leanings stemming from misinformed and inaccurate opinions on it's unsuspecting followers.
Let me lay it all out for ya:
1) This site is called Bring Back Glam! What are you even doing on it if you on't listen to the albums of the REAL Big 4! Are you insane? Since you probably aren't capable of guessing who the REAL Big 4 are, please, allow me. In the following order: Mötley Crüe, RATT, Cinderella, Poison.
2) Poor Stu Hamm. Having to resort to go all "modern day hick" on us is a travesty but, hey, ya gotta make a buck anyway you can these days. And let's not get carried away with Billy Sheehan, shall we? He's a card carrying member of Overplayers Anonymous, though I will admit it works on one song of his career, "Addicted To That Rush". Actually, he was in a band prior to Mr. Big, Talas, with whom he originally recorded that song, possibly his last original idea that actually ROCKS. An indicator of his true colors was wasting time in a proto thrash band in the early 80's, Thrasher, with another UNROCKER, Dave Spitz, eventual guitarist of the UNROCK "band", Anthax. Still, it's never to late one's life to realized it's better to Rock & Roll which it looks like he's finally done by forming Winery Dogs involving fellow Prog Rock Hobbyists, Mike Portnoy of the overblown Dream Theatrics and Ritchie Kotzen, who really only had two moments in the sun, first in Arthur's Museum and second, in Poison. Both are also card carrying members of Overplayers Anonymous, as well. Glad to see they abandon their self-adoration for overplayin' just as Sheehan finally has. I suggest you do the same. But I advise caution, Christian, as his involvement with quasi-religious murderers, The Church of Scientology, should give you pause, considering your involvement with organized religion.
3) AC/DC is NOT and never was Pub Rock. It's Hard Rock that began with a punk rock attitude and a METALLIC sheen. They started playing pubs out of necessity as that's where they could get gigs. And it's Arena Rock as it was always intended to be. Pub Rock ain't played to 180,000+ audiences in Rio my friend. this is Arena Rock played LOUD! It's BIG! It's Epic! It's Rock & Roll! It's Hard Rock! AND it's METAL! You want Pub Rock? Try the band, Dr. Feelgood or Johnny & The Pirates, if you even know who they are!
4) Avenged Sevenfold... GENEROCK!
5) When you're right, you're right. The new Black Sabbath kills. However, of course, you were WRONG for NOT listening to Ozzy or Sabbath for so long until now.
6) Airborne ARE great but, again, you are misguided. They are HARD ROCK! The AC/DC comparisons are warranted but they are more than that. AND, one thing's for sure, they, like AC/DC, are NOT, I repeat, are NOT Pub Rock.
7) John 5's cool. See, you're not ALL wrong.
Here are some new bands actually worth listening to, some of whom you like, which must be by accident, considering your track record. Hey, at least we unequivocally agree on Accept AND always have.
The following list is a recap of The Best of 2012/13 (so far) as voted by The Bring Back Glam! Staff and The Commenters...
Get Ready 2 ROCK!: Black Veil Brides, Foxy Shazam, Imperial State Electric, The Darkness, The Treatment, Biters, Casablanca, Wildstreet, Dynazty, Crash Diet, Crazy Lixx, De La Cruz, Santa Cruz, Sister, H.e.a.t., Beautiful Beast & Julian Angel, Cyanide 4, Hotel Diablo, Sisters Doll, Diemonds.
Oh, and said above bands blow the doors off Winery Dogs. I just watched a bunch of videos by them. What a snorefest. Yet again, this stuff is still better than most of their other recent projects, so at least I'll know when to take a nap on The Monsters of Rock Cruise since these clowns are on it.
Welcome to the Church of Rock & Roll! Consider yourself saved! Again!
Wow! Metalboy!, you certainly came back to us from the 4th with a renewed sense of righteous polemic. And I am going to tread carefully, seeing as how I couldn't even edit my first post correctly. Sorta' like a time-out, but with references to previous comments.
Glad to see you giving the nod to Talas, as I did in a previous posting on the site. So I think we agree on that point. Same with Sabbath, though I will ask you too: what is your pick for favorite song on the album? [And did anyone notice how "Loner" starts off with the guitar sounding like it belongs on a song off of _The Eternal Idol_?]
But I have to wonder (again): how do you square your love of all things Glam with the fact that this site, it's creator and minder, and the people she chooses to write feature postings don't all agree with your chronology or your choices in music? Are you an equal opportunity missionary (see below) or just an opportunistic one? I mean, it is one thing to be part of the staff and to be one of the commentators (actually, that is two things), its another to be THE staff and THE commentator (See? Your infectious yell gets the better of me!).
Case in point: your Big 4. It seems, like the other Big 4, that your tally is based on sales and not necessarily on influence. Which is fine. But is that the case? And where are the cut off points, beginning and end, for those bands being considered for inclusion in the canon?
Another case in point: AC/DC. It is pub rock, just pub rock that broke through to arenas. For every AC/DC, there is an Angry Anderson and Rose Tattoo. And pub rock has a corollary in the States as well (if you accept the previous statement as true, that is): bar rock. ZZ Top, even Nugent, are American examples of the same phenomena. Then again, that is just my opinion.
I suppose the overall answer is thus: your opinion matters and shows your devotion. It drips with passion. That is what makes you so fun to read. You are like a devout Mormon missionary, ready to save even those of us who don't want saving.
Heck, I might even open the door if you knocked. I can only imagine the sort of literature you would have tucked under your arm!
. . . time to go listen to ELP and Yes, just to take the edge off. "Order of the Universe" is so sub-par for Yes. But it is a nice song. You agree, Metalboy?!?!?
And we can just agree to disagree on AC/DC, though they do have some old stuff (like the demo "Let it Loose" with Scott and "Can I Sit Next to You Girl?" with Evans) that is a bit less punk . . . though I get your point. I just thought you were contesting the fact that _others_ speak of AC/DC as one of the pub rock bands that came out of Australia in the 70s, as a label specific to Australia and the locales in which they played (like my other example, bar rock). I guess I was getting a bit too "meta" on that point.
And you made me double-check something too. I misread you and thought you were talking about The Pirates and their song "Dr. Feelgood," not the band Dr. Feelgood. Or am I just twisted into a pretzel by the passion of your prose?!!?
Fun discussion, as always. Many thanks.
One such doctor in particular, was the notoriously crooked George Nichopoulus, also known as "Dr. Nick", who was Elvis' personal physician for 10 years, from 1967 until Presley's death in 1977. He got Presley addicted to the prescription drugs that ultimately killed The King. He was dubbed "Dr Feelgood" in the press when it was revealed he had a long history of overprescribing patients tranquilizers, Valium and the like.
You could probably guess this, HIM...
My fave Megadeth song is their cover of Alice Cooper's "No More Mr. Nice Guy" and my fave Megadeth album is "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying".
BONUS: My favorite AC/DC song, hands down, is "Problem Child". My fave AC/DC album remains "Let There Be Rock" with "High Voltage", "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", "Powerage" and "Highway To Hell" close behind.
And yours, HIM?
p.s. I saw AC/DC 11 times including 3 with Bonn Scott from 1978 to 1996. I met them in 2000, at a meet and greet at the Times Square Virgin Megastore, apparently one of the few "record signings" they've ever done. Angus shook my hand twice in one of the funniest moments of my life, as he was spinning around like the Tasmanian Devil from Looney Tunes in between shakes. BTW, they were ALL very nice gentlemen.
Wonderful synopsis/conjecture Metalboy! You always come up with some interesting leads and factoids to consider. The AC/DC stuff is amazing (and I agree on the album nod as well). Thanks as always for the vicarious dose of metal history.
My Megadeth preference? I like the title song off the album you note. Not a dangerous choice, but a solid one. I would add that I am really enjoying (haters will hate me for this) their Thin Lizzy cover of "Cold Sweat" off of _Super Collider_ (with the title song being a good, not great, religious song if you are so inclined to listen to it with an open ear). Doesn't top Lizzy, but it has a certain something to it that I enjoy.
There is just something about the bass at the start of the title track that is so perfect, and then the guitars cut right into it. Great song. And still a good band.