2011 - Through My Eyes...

I would love to give the readers of this blog a highly informed and intimately knowledgeable account of the music scene for 2011. However, I find that to be impossible to do fairly, seeing as I couldn't ever come close to listening to all the music released in any year's time. How could I call an album "Album of the Year", if I haven't listened to every album released that year? So this is what I will do; I will review every music purchase I made in 2011. This is much easier to do in the modern music era, because I only buy music from Amazon MP3. So, all I do is pull up my account and go through all my 2011 music buys. For your convenience, I will be abiding by a few rules I thought of to make reading this blog entry less like work. 1) Album reviews will be 4 sentences or less. 2) Reviews of singles will be 2 sentences or less. 3) At the end of each review, I will assign a numerical value to show how strongly I feel about the product. I derive this value from rating each song on a reviewed album on a school of 1 to 100, 1 representing Barbie Girl by Aqua, and 100 representing Michael Jackson's Human Nature. If anyone wants to see my track-by-track numerical breakdown, just mention it in the comment section. So without further ado, Marvin's Musical 2011.

JANUARY

GHOSTFACE KILLAH - APOLLO KIDS (2010)

I forgot I even bought this. Standard fare from a fairly consistant MC. Provides a constant headnod, however it's an unremarkable product. Regression via lack of progression? 81/100

FEBRUARY

THE GO! TEAM - ROLLING BLACKOUTS (2011)

Bought this little number because I was inpressed with their debut album Thunder, Lightning, Strike. Like so many other items I've purchased, I got hip to them from a commercial: the NFL's Play 60 campaign where kids are riding a bus with NFL players. The best way to describe the music is cheerleader chants + eurotechno + britrock + futuristic boom-bap + adrenaline + swagger. Me likey. 85/100

MARCH

RADIOHEAD - AMNESIAC (2001)

One of my old Limewire downloads that I sought to legitimize due to my respect for the artist. I've had this album for years in a degraded form and never actually listened to it. I'm glad I procrastinated on this one, because I doubt I was ready for it when it was originally released. Fucking brilliant, I tell you, FUCKING BRILLIANT. 91/100

RADIOHEAD - KID A (2000)

Another Limewire download rectified. Once I realized the greatness of AMNESIAC, I rushed to get this. Some of it works, some of it doesn't. I like to think of this album as Radiohead's last experiment before perfecting their sound (Kid A was released a year before Amnesiac). 80/100

APRIL

SINGLE: JUSTICE - CIVILIZATION (2011)

From an Adidas commercial. Makes me want to dunk a nuclear warhead into the rings of Saturn. 82/100

LUPE FIASCO - LUPE FIASCO'S FOOD & LIQUOR (2006)

I was in a rut with hip-hop, so I looked for earlier releases that slipped through the cracks in my collection. Quirky, honest, vibrant, and without the traditional trappings of rap i.e. guns, drugs, money and bitches. A truly progressive moment for mainstream hip-hop. Too bad the progress ended here for Lupe. 80/100

PHAROAHE MONCH - WA.R. (WE ARE RENEGADES) (2011)

One of the last doomsday lyricists left, I find it hard to be disappointed with any of his efforts. Like most MC's of his ilk, his music production can be sometimes, well, indulgent. This is as close to "street church" as it gets. 84/100

MADCON - BEGGIN' (2011)

Another Adidas commercial purchase, however through this purchase I discovered the original Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons' version. After hearing Frankie's rendition, I'm ashamed of ever buying this turd. 80/100 before hearing Frankie Valli, 32/100 after

MAY

BEASTIE BOYS - HOT SAUCE COMMITTEE PART 2 (2011)

This one is difficult. On one hand, I admire what they did here with fusing old school boom-bap with new school production. On the other hand, it just doesn't have the bite that I was expecting. However, "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win" with Santigold is THE TRUTH! 69/100

ADELE - 21 (2011)

As you know by now, Adele is supremely talented. This is almost a carbon copy of her debut album, 19. There are some really good moments on here, but it/she is missing something. Just a bit hollow... 84/100

JUNE

COLD - NO ONE (2000)

A guilty pleasure. Sounds like run-of-the-mill woe-is-me rock, but for some reason I feel this one. 75/100

JEAN GRAE - THE ORCHESTRAL FILES (2008)

It doesn't matter how good of an emcee you are, the production is an equally important ingredient to a good product. The music doesn't match her flow. And Jean should NOT be doing love songs. 69/100

BLUE SKY BLACK DEATH - JEAN GRAE: THE EVIL JEANIUS (2008)

I loved the concept here. The execution is more big hit - big miss, though. "Threats" is an amazing song and makes the album worthy of purchase by itself. 76/100

SINGLE: SISTER NANCY - BAM BAM (Single) (2002)

You've heard this song before. If you don't like this, then you're probably whiter than you should be, Poindexter. 100/100

FOO FIGHTERS - WASTING LIGHT (2011)

One of the things I love about the Foo Fighters is that they have an unmistakeable sound. However, on this album I feel there is too much of that sound; no deviation, very little tempo change, and not enough feeling. Everything sounds and feels too controlled and sanitizied. Above average for most anyone else, sub par for the Foo Foo Fighters. 76/100

ADELE - 19 (2008)

Better than her follow-up, 21. She sounds a little more authentic and raw on this one. Why would anyone date this woman when you know she'll eventually dog you in one of her songs? 85/100

JULY

SINGLE: MARTIN SOLVEIG FEATURING DRAGONETTE - HELLO (2010)

I'm starting realize how much I like techno-dance-dubstep-electronica music... sometimes. 92/100

AUGUST

ICE CUBE - AMERIKKKA'S MOST WANTED (1990)

For some reason I never transfered this from CD to mp3, and I eventually lost it. That gave me a great opportunity to examine it from a fresh perspective. The verdict? It still kicks ass. 90/100

ONEREPUBLIC - WAKING UP (2009)

I bought this because I was late to the party with All The Right Moves. I liked some of the stuff I've heard from them on the radio, so I thought it was safe. This album reminds me of Muse's sound. Minus originality, musicianship, scale, theatrics, song writing, and wow factor. 74/100

ROYCE DA 5'9" - SUCCESS IS CERTAIN (2011)

I thoroughly enjoyed this album. My problem with Royce in the past has been with his production, not his lyrics. I guess being down with Marshall again can afford you better producers. My favorites off this are easily Where My Money and Security. 84/100

JAY ROCK - FOLLOW ME HOME (2011)

This was my first ever experience with Jay Rock, and I am now a fan. There are some real genuine moments on here, and for the first time in a long time I found a traditional west coast hip-hop record that didn't sound tired and dated. The production matches the lyricist in both depth and complexity. I will buy more of Jay Rock in the future. 82/100

SEPTEMBER

SINGLE: LITTLE DRAGON - RITUAL UNION (2011)

I want to LOVE this artist so bad, but there is just something missing... 94/100

GIRLS LOVE SHOES - STARS (2010)

Yet another tv commercial-influenced buy. Quirky electronic girl pop that is no longer so quirky. This sounds like they want mainstream appeal, but are probably better suited for indie appeal if they added a little more grit. The single Stars, however, is the bee's knees. 80/100

SIA - WE ARE BORN (2010)

I love this artist. You probably know her as Christina Aguilera's crazy friend on the singing competition show The Voice, but I've known her for a while as the vocal muscle behind Zero 7's first 3 albums. My first listen through of this and I thought it was so-so. Now I'm blown away. 88/100

OCTOBER

PHONTE - CHARITY STARTS AT HOME (2011)

Well crafted solo project from the better half of the rap group Little Brother. The only thing that keeps this title down are some of the singing portions, as Phonte is no Stevie Wonder. But the production is tight, and he is, without a doubt, a top ten lyricist at this moment. 84/100

9TH WONDER - THE WONDER YEARS (2011)

Another stellar mixtape from my favorite producer. There is such understated class in these tracks, that it almost feels formal. The album excels with it's r&b songs, but the hip-hop is good, too. 9th does it again. 90/100

CAMP LO - UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT (1999)

Repurchase for a lost album. On this album, Sonny Chiba and Ceechi Suede are the best I've ever heard at turning your flow into an instrument. I can't tell what they're saying, and I don't care! 86/100

JAY Z + KANYE WEST - WATCH THE THRONE (2011)

On first listen, I didn't like this. But I have to be honest, now I really like it. The production is top notch, and Jay Z sticks his foot in the lyrics. OTIS! 86/100

NOVEMBER

SINGLE: ELTON JOHN - BENNY AND THE JETS (1973)

I was going to own this at some point in my life. 100/100

GOAPELE - BREAK OF DAWN (2011)

BEAUTIFUL album. This is the direction that r&b should be moving in. A step beyond neo-soul, this is a mash of 21st century funk and 80's soul songwriting. And not one lewd allusion to sex. 89/100

PHANTOGRAM - NIGHTLIFE (2011)

A solid, if unremarkable, follow-up EP to their Eyelid Movies, it starts strong but ends on a whimper. Think of a more confident and skillful Hooverphonic (of 2Wicky fame). This EP set me back 4.99. I would have gladly paid 14.99 for the song Don't Move by itself. 82/100

SINGLE: XV - AWESOME (2011)

Regretted bying this hip-hop title the second I downloaded it. 84/100

DECEMBER

THE ROOTS - UNDUN (2011)

I don't know if my friend Otis got in my head when we had a passionate discussion about The Roots, but I'm starting to agree with him on one thing; Black Thought is an average emcee at best. A good listen through and it's apparent what's holding this concept album back from being an unforgettable classic; the lack of complexity in Black Thought's rhymes and the emotionless delivery he employs on every album. An album tackling the serious subject matter that this one does deserves much better. However, the rest of the band comes close to saving the day. 83/100

AMY WINEHOUSE - LIONESS: HIDDEN TREASURES (2011)

This treasure trove of b-sides, remixes and unreleased covers is a must have. Her passing was as tragic as it was expected. But it wasn't until I heard this album that I actually missed her. Do you have to be a tortured soul to be this good? 90/100

COMMON - THE DREAMER, THE BELIEVE (2011)

For me, this is on par with his 6th album, Be. Beats are tight, rhymes are tight, and his flow is on point. Only problem is, the song Blue Sky is the lone track that could be considered stellar. Everything else is just really, really good. 89/100

SINGLE: RADIOHEAD - THE DAILY MAIL/STAIRCASE

Haunting and dramatic, an exceptional companion piece to The King of Limbs. 93/100

ROBIN THICKE - LOVE AFTER WAR

A welcome return to the singer/songwriter role for Mr. Thicke. It's still a lot of hit and miss, and I think there are too many love songs that dilute the power of the album. But, at least it's better than Sex Therapy. MILES better. 84/100

2011-Music Year in Review

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been thinking about all of the new music I heard in 2011. At first I was disappointed that I couldn’t even come up with a “Top 5” for the year and was leaning toward calling it a bad year for music. Then I started reflecting on the three albums that were my favorites and based on those albums alone, I’d call the year a success. There were some let downs and a few records I just didn’t get to yet, but overall I’m happy with some great releases this past year.

Top 3 albums released in 2011:

Foo Fighters-Wasting Light 

              

Released in April, Wasting Light lives up to the hype and viral marketing that preceded it. Prior to this album, I considered myself a casual fan of the Foo Fighters at best. I never disliked them per se, but I never really got into an entire album of theirs. Wasting Light changed that in a definitive way as I can say that there isn’t one song on the record I don’t like. The best track on the album is actually the closer “Walk” which shows a big progression in song writing for the Foo Fighters. It’s also a great peek into what the rest of the album sounds like. Wasting Light is the type of album you can play straight through and be surprised by album cuts you may not listen to regularly and be reminded that those songs are just as good as others you may listen to more often.  Deeper cuts like “Dear Rosemary”, “Arlandria” and “A Matter of Time” are all excellent songs that also show a very positive direction for the band. My personal favorites are the aforementioned “Walk” as well as “I Should Have Known” and the incredible opening track “Bridge Burning”. Wasting Light is without a doubt the best album from 2011.

Adele-21

                 

For all the roar and praise Adele’s sophomore effort would go on to receive in 2011, it was released very quietly back in February. When the first single “Rolling in the Deep” hit radio a few weeks later, the record was off and running. 21 is unique to me in that the record company seemed to know what to do with it. When I first heard it back in February, I knew “Rolling…” would be a hit but I didn’t see the label being able to properly promote the rest of the record as singles. Whether it’s due to the monster success of that first single or the fact that the label is doing something right, they have since released several very successful singles from 21. “Someone Like You”, “Rumor Has It” and “Set Fire To The Rain” were all songs getting regular radio play, which came as a pleasant surprise to me. A couple well-handled covers appear on 21 in the way of The Cure’s “Lovesong” and The Steeldrivers “If It Hadn’t Been For Love”. Given the fact that Adele can put soul into just about any track, and the songs from this album have a deep soul in the first place, 21 easily places itself among the best albums released this year.

Rich Robinson-Through A Crooked Sun

                 

In mid-October, Rich Robinson (of The Black Crowes) released his second solo effort. Being a longtime fan of The Black Crowes, I had hope for the record but was a little leery seeing as Rich’s last solo effort (2004’s Paper) was uneven at best. Through A Crooked Sun is one of the best work’s Rich has ever produced, easily standing up to some of his best efforts with The Black Crowes. Kicking off with the southern groove of  “Gone Away”, Through A Crooked Sun takes you through a journey of the many influences and sounds we’re used to from Rich and his main band without ever sounding like a retread or forced in any way. Lyrically, these songs are a high water mark for Rich and I expect that going forward he should and will flex his lyric muscle when The Black Crowes reconvene as a complete group.  If the lyrics of the Fleetwood Mac-ish “ Falling Again” are to be taken at face value, it might be a while before the Crowes re-group though. So many songs could be picked out and considered a highlight. From the chunky groove of “It’s Not Easy” to the willing and able cover of Peter Green’s “Station Man” each track is refreshing to listen to and absorb each and every time. For a sample, check out either “Falling Again” or “Hey Fear”, either track is a great example of the brilliance found all over Through A Crooked Sun.

As I mentioned at the start, I initially looked back and thought 2011 wasn’t a great year for music due to the fact that I couldn’t think of a great number of albums I really liked. But in thinking on it further, I began to realize that those that I do like, I love. I started trying to “rank” my three favorites in my head and realized that I loved two of the three almost equally.  The thing that makes 21 come in second place to Wasting Light is the fact that Wasting Light has more memorable moments on it. In reviewing both records heavily over the past few weeks, I found myself listening to Wasting Light straight through with ease while I was regularly skipping 2-3 tracks on 21. While Wasting Light came out on top for that reason, I found that I was torn between 21 and Through A Crooked Sun put in second place. In the end, I honestly couldn’t decide between the two. So while Wasting Light is my clear favorite, I see both Through A Crooked Sun and 21 on equal footing for second favorite of 2011.

Honorable Mentions From 2011:

Some albums that I listened to a great deal this year but not nearly as much as those listed above were Stone Rollin’ by Raphael Saadiq, Born This Way by Lady GaGa and Kicking & Screaming by Sebastian Bach. Released in April, May and October respectively, all 3 albums are good representations of their genres and the artists themselves but none contain enough songs I found myself going back to so as to refer to it as a “favorite” or “best” album of the year. Of the three, I enjoy Born This Way the most based mostly on the strength of one song; “You & I”.

I would refer to all three albums as “mood albums” when I’m in the mood for soul, Stone Rollin’ would be the first album I grab. While Kicking & Screaming doesn’t break any ground or necessarily bring anything new to the table, it gives me some fresh, catchy metal to bust out when needed.  As I mentioned, Born This Way gets the most play of the three but there’s more to the record than “You & I”. If anything, the album is a little too schizophrenic for my taste. It seems built more as a “singles machine” (which isn’t a surprise) than a record meant to be enjoyed as a whole piece. Tracks like “Government Hooker”, “Electric Chapel, “Marry The Night” and “The Edge of Glory” certainly show that once you put aside the Madonna comparisons and look further than her shock shtick, GaGa has some musical feeling to share.

Disappointments From 2011:

Unfortunately there were a number of albums released this year that just didn’t cut the mustard. I was let down several times this year after the release of several records I’d been looking forward to. The first and probably biggest disappointment for the year was the Beastie Boys Hot Sauce Committee Part 2. After years of hype from the industry, the label and the Boys themselves, the record did absolutely nothing for me. Not one track on the album lives up to either the hype or the legacy of the group. Another big disappointment was Build A Rocket Boys! from Elbow as I was looking for them to build on the momentum they’d gained with 2008’s The Seldom Seen Kid. None of the feeling or memorable melodies found on their previous work make an appearance of Build A Rocket Boys!

The second half of the year provided two more let downs in Jay-Z and Kanye West’s collaboration Watch The Throne and Kelly Clarkson’s Stronger.  I was looking at both of these albums in the same light that I had with Sebastian Bach’s latest album; I wasn’t expecting anything ground breaking or new, but I expected both to at least live up to their past or at least return to it. Watch The Throne gives you not one track that makes you want to give even a second listen. None of the substance (or effort for that matter) found on previous Jay-Z and Kanye albums is present in any of the tracks. I take Kelly Clarkson for what she is but I have a hard time believing that she and her team can’t come up with better songs for her to sing. I realize that the pool of manufactured acts is pretty diluted these days, but I’m shocked that they can’t even give this woman songs that she can at least pretend she enjoys singing. Kelly Clarkson has a fantastic voice which continues to get criminally mis-lent to crap songs with absolutely no feeling behind them whatsoever. Not one track on Stronger is sung with any amount of feeling and I really don’t hold Ms. Clarkson responsible for that. Both of these albums are perfect examples of why people don’t buy records en masse as they used to; big names and catchy hooks aren’t enough to bring fans back. All you have to do is at least put the effort in to give people something to feel and they’ll associate their feelings with a need to support the artist.

Music From 2011 I Still Need To Get To:

There were plenty of releases this year that I just haven’t given a proper listen to. As the early part of the year tends to me slow for new music releases, I’m looking forward to digging into them very soon. I cannot comment on the content of the follow albums as of yet, but I’m sure I’ll get to post something on them in early 2012. Here’s what I’ll be getting to very soon:

Florence + The Machine-Ceremonials

The Black Keys-El Camino

Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds-Self Titled

Mr. Big-What If…

Loaded-The Taking

Miranda Lambert-Four The Record

Robin Thicke-Love After War

Music Outlook For 2012:

There haven’t been a lot of big announcements yet for 2012 with only one solid release date I know of from Van Halen and even that was just announced on December 26^th. If the current forecasts are to be believed, on February 7^th we will see the first album of new material from Van Halen featuring David Lee Roth on lead vocals since 1983’s 1984. Hopefully a more solid schedule starts taking form soon but for now albums are promised in 2012 from Soundgarden, Black Sabbath, Slash, Shinedown, Pearl Jam and Culture Club.

The Soundgarden and Black Sabbath albums are “reunion” projects but the first to be full length studio material from their classic, most respected lineups. Both acts have milked the “reunion bit” to a certain extent through live releases, tours and compilations so it may be exciting to get new material from each. Slash’s next solo album has potential as long as it avoids the genre-hoping, wanna-be-Santana pitfalls of his first release. Pearl Jam is looking to revitalize their career after having spent the past year celebrating their 20^th anniversary with a new studio album. Culture Club also has the potential to hit new heights when they release a reunion record later this year. Their last release, Don’t Mind If I Do from 1999 wasn’t even released in the US for a number of reasons so it will be interesting to see how things turn out this time.

Recap:

If nothing else, 2011 provided me with 3 albums that I’m certain I’ll be listening to on 2021, 2031 and so on. If I’m lucky, one or more of the albums I haven’t listened to yet from the year will have the potential to add themselves to that list.  While there were some disappointments from my perspective, none of those releases gave me reason to give up on any of the artists. I believe that all of them will be back with stronger releases in the future, or at least I’m hoping so.

I’m looking toward 2012 with a good optimism for music. Both for the albums I know are on their way and those I haven’t heard about yet. I’m certain that throughout the year, I’ll hear new artists and new sounds that will continue to give me hope for the future of recorded music as Wasting Light, Through A Crooked Sun and 21 did this year.

My 3 City GN'R Experience

Guns N' Roses: the topic of a lot of discussion and debate. Axl Rose has a very well deserved "love or hate" relationship with music fans. In the years since their major label debut Appetite For Destruction, I do not believe I've ever encountered a music fan who doesn't have strong feelings one way or the other on Axl Rose and Guns N' Roses. As I've made clear in prior posts, I fall into the category of die hard GN'R fan. I was very excited to hear that they were finally returning to the US for a full blown tour for the first time since 2006 and in turn, the first since the worldwide, long awaited 2008 release of Chinese Democracy.

As soon as the dates nearest to me were announced, I set out on a plan to see the most shows I could withing driving distance. My thinking is this; you just never know with GN'R/Axl Rose how long the silence is going to last in between tours. So if they're coming near me a few times, why not ensure I see as many shows as I can? My original plan was to see the show on November 15th at the Allstate Arena in Chicago followed by the December 1st show at The Palace of Auburn Hills, north of Detroit. However, the plan was happily changed to include a 3rd and final show at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio on December 7th. One of our follow bloggers (Mike Downing) lives near the Allstate Arena in Chicago so he offered us a place to stay as well as experiencing the concert with us.

Stacey and myself made our way to the Chicago area early on the 15th, met up with Mike and began our day of music appreciation. As the day was drawing to a close, we made our way to the Allstate Arena. We witnessed only a few moments of opening act Adelita's Way as they did not hold our interest for long. Guns N' Roses made their way to the stage at 11pm, far earlier than years prior and far earlier than most people at the show will want to recall years from now. After the lights went out, the theme from Dexter (the hit Showtime series) blared over the PA. At the finish, all screen went red and the ominous intro to Chinese Democracy's title cut took over. New(est) guitarist DJ Ashba made his way to the top center of the stage and let loose with the opening riff, after which the band kicked in and exploded on stage.

Mike took some excellent pictures throughout the night and I'll only use a couple here in the event that Mike gets to writing his own review one day (where's it at Mike??) and wants to use his own pics. The picture on the right is that of DJ Ashba knocking out the chords to Chinese Democracy just prior to some large fireworks going off and the appearance of the rest of the band. GN'R opening with show with the title cut from Chinese Democracy says a lot to me. The album wasn't considered a "hit" by any means at least in the US so to open with the title cut speaks to the level of confidence the band and Axl have in the material they worked on for so long. It's a bold move, one which I applaud heavily.

Next up was arguably one of their biggest hits; Welcome To The Jungle during which Axl Rose gave a direct answer to anyone with the question "Can he still sing?" If you watch the YouTube video above, you'll get your answer; a definite "YES". Axl Rose is 49 years old and has somehow found a way to sound consistently better than he did when he was first trying to bring GN'R back on the Video Music Awards at the age of 38 in 2002. I'm not sure how it's possible but it's definitely inarguable as evidenced by this video (In the interest of full disclosure, this YouTube video was shot by another concert goer, not myself)

Another rumor dismissed early in the performance was the media's recent need to pass around stories that Axl Rose was considerably over weight. As pictured here with guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, one can easily see that there's no truth whatsoever to the rumor/media hype. Axl and the rest of Guns N' Roses were in excellent form both musically and physically. One thing that I found of interest and particularly surprising given my own prior concert experiences with Guns N' Roses; Axl was in a GREAT mood throughout the entire show. He was joking with band mates, the crowd and stage personal throughout the entire show. Pointing out crowd members, smiling at their home made shirts or signs, telling stories from the road, etc. This was a much happier guy than I'd ever seen on stage with Guns N' Roses.

GN'R played for just short of 3 hours, trying to work in as many hits and fan favorites as possible, also giving each member a chance to shine on their own during the course of the show. The set list for November 15th at the Allstate Arena is as follows:

Intro (Dexter Theme)
Chinese Democracy
Welcome To The Jungle
It's So Easy
Mr. Brownstone
Sorry
Riff Raff (AC/DC Cover)
Estranged
Better
Richard Fortus Guitar Solo (James Bond Theme)
Live and Let Die (Wings Cover)
This I Love
Rocket Queen
My Generation (featuring Tommy Stinson on vocals)
Dizzy Reed Piano Solo (Baba O'Riley)
Street of Dreams
You Could Be Mine
DJ Ashba Guitar Solo (Mi Amor)
Sweet Child O' Mine
Axl Rose Piano Solo (Another Brick In The Wall / Someone Saved My Life Tonight)
November Rain
Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal Guitar Solo (Pink Panther Theme)
Don't Cry
Whole Lotta Rosie (AC/DC Cover)
Knockin' On Heaven's Door (Bob Dylan Cover)
Nightrain

Encore:
Madagascar
Shackler's Revenge
Patience
Band Jam "Happy Birthday Chris Pitman"
Paradise City
After the show, we were afforded the opportunity to meet some of the band. We spoke with Dizzy Reed (the bands long time keyboard player) and their drummer Frank Ferrer along with catching quick glimpses of a few other members as they passed in and out of the room. Several members seemed in a hurry or occupied with something/someone else so we chose not to bother anyone who didn't seem to have a free moment. Even though Dizzy had quite a few family members waiting for him, he still took a few moments to chat with us and take pictures which was very nice of him.

As seen here, I was also able to get a picture with Frank Ferrer. Frank is Guns N' Roses drummer and possibly one of the nicest people I've ever met in music. It's apparent from the way he plays the GN'R classics as well as the newer material that he appreciates and adores all of it. He seems to play from a stand point of "What would I want to hear?". Some parts of the GN'R classics are played note for note to the original album versions while other parts have Franks on feeling thrown in. Each thing he changes doesn't seem to be done from a "look what I can do better!" stand point. The changes he makes are only there to enhance or add to the song and that's exactly what he accomplishes. Frank allowed me a few moments to discuss a few of the things he plays differently and he appreciated the fact that it was noticed. Frank came off to me as a fan of music trying to make sure that people were getting their money's worth and you just can't ask for more than that in my opinion.

We left the Allstate Arena shortly after 5am, dropped Mike off back at home and headed back from Detroit knowing that in a few short weeks, we'd be doing the whole thing all over again in our own home town. For the December 1st show at The Palace of Auburn Hills, I'd been able to round up quite a few folks to come along. Some long time friends who'd never seen Guns N' Roses live opted in for an afternoon of music, cocktails and preparation for the show.The show was once again stellar and truth be told, the best of the 3 that I saw in person on this tour. Friends that attended with me were blown away not only by Axl's voice but also the work, dedication and showmanship on the part of the entire band. Several friends remarked that Richard Fortus stood out from the guitarist as their favorite. His effortless playing of almost every guitar style in the book and tireless dedication to putting on a show was very much appreciated by those who had never seen Guns N' Roses live prior.

The set list same songs were played in Detroit as in Chicago but in a slightly different order finding the song Better (a highlight from Chinese Democracy) played near the end of the night to the delight of many concert goers hoping to hear the song live. The set list was as follows:

Intro (Dexter Theme)
Chinese Democracy
Welcome To The Jungle
It's So Easy
Mr. Brownstone
Sorry
Shackler's Revenge
Estranged
Rocket Queen
Richard Fortus Guitar Solo (James Bond Theme)
Live And Let Die
This I Love
Sonic Reducer (featuring Tommy Stinson on vocals)
Band Introductions
Dizzy Reed Piano Solo (Baba O'Riley)
Street Of Dreams
You Could Be Mine
DJ Ashba Guitar Solo (Mi Amor)
Sweet Child O' Mine
Jam (Another Brick In The Wall: Part 2)
Axl Piano Solo (Someone Saved My Life Tonight/Yellow Brick Road)
November Rain
Bumblefoot Guitar Solo (Pink Panther Theme)
Don't Cry
Whole Lotta Rosie
Knockin' On Heaven's Door
Jam
Nightrain

Encore:
Jam
Madagascar
Better
Riff Raff
Jam
Patience
Jam
Paradise City


The YouTube video below (again, not one I took myself) is one of their biggest hits: Sweet Child O' Mine, performed once again about half way through the show.

After the show, we were again afforded the opportunity to meet up with several band members. This time we met and spent time with Ron Thal as well as DJ Ashba along with quick conversations once again with Dizzy Reed and Frank Ferrer.

 The attached pictures are of Stacey with DJ Ashba as well as myself with him followed by myself and Ron Thal. Every member we talked with was a pleasure and went out of their way to make us feel welcome. Not something you'd expect from members of a high profile rock group, certainly not one where they'd just worked extremely hard to put on a 3 hour show and most certainly not the experience I've had many times in the past with members of other large rock outfits.These guys know that they have something to prove and they're out to do it. DJ Ashba in particular has mentioned in several recent interviews that he is well aware of the past shadows he's playing under and he views it as a labor or love to work out from behind them.

After we parted ways with the band, we again found ourselves leaving the venue between 4 and 5am to hit the road home. At this point, I was under the impression that my GN'R experience was over for 2011 and I was extremely happy with all aspects of it.

A few days later in Nashville, GN'R fans got quite a pleasant surprise when the band added Civil War to it's set for the first time since 1993 and the for the first time with any member of this line up save for Dizzy Reed who played on the original track as well as the accompanying Use Your Illusion Tour and each tour since. I checked the tour dates after hearing Civil War had been added to see if Stacey and I could possible fit in one more trip to see the show that now included one of my all time favorites. I saw that within a few days, the band would be in Youngstown Ohio and set up a plan to make it to that show. We were able to arrange our schedules so that we made it to Youngstown and into the venue just a few moments before opening act Black Label Society went on stage. Being a big Zakk Wylde fan, having his band open for GN'R was a great added bonus.

As we'd seen at the previous two shows, a short change over occurred after BLS finished their set and around 10:50pm the lights went out followed by the Dexter theme and Chinese Democracy for the opening number. The set list was very similar to Detroit, except that Civil War was played once again, for only the second time in 18 years. I was also happy to see/hear that the second AC/DC cover, Riff Raff was dropped from the set for this show. I assume the choice was made to make room for Civil War which takes up a lengthy 7+ minutes in the set. The set list for Youngstown was as follows:

Intro (Dexter Theme)
Chinese Democracy
Welcome To The Jungle
It's So Easy
Mr. Brownstone
Sorry
Shackler's Revenge
Estranged
Rocket Queen
Richard Fortus Guitar Solo (007 Theme)
Live And Let Die
This I Love
Civil War
Sonic Reducer (Tommy on Lead Vocal)
Dizzy Reed Piano Solo (Baba O'Riley)
Street Of Dreams
You Could Be Mine
DJ Ashba Guitar Solo (Ballad Of Death)
Sweet Child O' Mine
Jam (The Lemon Song/Another Brick In The Wall: Part 2)
Axl Rose Piano Solo (Gran Torino/Someone Saved My Life Tonight/Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)
November Rain
Bumblefoot Guitar Solo (Pink Panther)
Don't Cry
Whole Lotta Rosie
Knockin' On Heaven's Door
Nightrain

Encore:
Madagascar
Better
Patience
Paradise City


No matter what the reason, I was glad to hear them leave only the one, more crowd friendly AC/DC cover in the set and play one of their own biggest hits in lieu of the other cover.The addition of Civil War made this show very unique but as I mentioned, the overall performance of the entire band was best in Detroit. Axl's singing was one notch better in both Chicago and Detroit with Detroit being the best. The overall vibe between the band and the crowd seemed a little better in Detroit than either Chicago or Youngstown in my opinion as well. Here's a YouTube video (once more, not shot be me) of that evening's performance of Civil War:

After the show, we made the most of our final opportunity to meet with the band. This time we were able to meet with Richard Fortus as well as get pictures with him. We also spoke with DJ Ashba for a few moments ending the night by hanging with Ron Thal once again. It was very cool getting to meet Richard Fortus since I'd seen him live with Guns N' Roses for almost a decade now. I was able to pass on the compliments from my Detroit friends to him and he seemed very appreciative of their thoughts For a guy who really puts a ton of energy into the show and his performance, he almost seemed shy and timid during time with him backstage.

As mentioned previously, we wrapped up our evening/morning by conversing with Ron Thal for a few moments longer before letting him go so he could make his way around to everyone else. I can't stress enough how nice all of these guys were to us and it's compounded even further when you think about the 3+ hours they just worked prior to meeting with fans. The show is of course the end game of days of travel prior, sound checks, all sorts of business related GN'R affairs and everything else they get thrown their way. So to have an encounter with many different members in 3 different cities and have each of them make time for us, take pictures and have great discussions with us amazed us.

If you're reading this in an area that GN'R hasn't been to yet, I can't stress enough that you should see this show. You can go to www.bumblefoot.com for the most accurate, complete listing of the remaining dates on the tour. They'll be winding through the western US up until New Year's week when they'll play two dates at The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. For those interested, I have complete audio recordings of all 3 shows we went to, 2 of which I recorded myself. They give you an accurate document of the show and include more than a few moments that will make you a believer in what the Guns N' Roses of 2011 is capable of.

It's been an amazing few weeks for this music fan. To be able to catch the last of the great front men, giving some of the best performances he ever has 3 times in the matter of a few weeks was incredible. To get to witness the current Guns N' Roses line up, which in my opinion is the best over all line up to ever tour under the name, tearing through 3 blistering shows clocking in at just under 3 hours each, was something I'm still in disbelief about. This is all before you consider the rare experience we were afforded not once but three times to meet and speak with the band. To the persons responsible for affording myself and friends that experience, I cannot thank you enough. It's rare when you find an artist or band of any stature who really looks to connect with their fans and I can tell you that the current line up of Guns N' Roses has more than a few members who are constantly looking to do so and follow through big time. So once again, I say THANK YOU to those who made it all possible.

If you'd like to share your own opinions on Guns N' Roses, feel free to visit a fantastic fan forum at:

www.gnrevolution.com

All opinions are welcome as are discussions on all eras of Guns N' Roses.

If you're interested in audio recordings of Chicago, Detroit, Youngstown or all three, please do not hesitate to contact me at russtcb@hotmail.com . Concert recordings are meant to be shared for free and with anyone interested and I'm more than happy to help in that area. Any questions, comments or generally banter about these shows, our experience or GN'R in general is welcomed in the comments section below.

Guns N' Roses- Live at the Allstate Arena, November 15, 2011:
4.5 out of 5 stars

Guns N' Roses- Live at The Palace of Auburn Hills, December 1, 2011:
5 out of 5 stars

Guns N' Roses- Live at the Covelli Centre, December 7, 2011:
4 out of 5 stars

Has Technology and Social Media Ruined the Concert Experience?

It certainly hasn't enhanced it...

I attended the Warren Haynes show in Chicago last week. It was in a small theater, and to make even more intimate the balcony was closed. So, anywhere in the place was a great "seat" and the crowd was 300-400 people tops. A great opportunity to see one of the best guitar players on the planet in a setting that only makes it even more amazing.

As the show got started, I started to notice the amount of cameras, iPhones, BlackBerrys, and smart phones glowing in the crowd all recording poor quality (for the most part) cell phone video. I also couldn't ignore the flash photography that would occur from time to time. As the band Dada asked in their song Information Undertow "Do people still hold lighters in the crowd?" This wasn't a case of the cell phone being the new lighter, it was people trying to "capture" their experience. I found it incredibly distracting, and disrespectful to the fans and the artist.

What happended to just watching the show? Engaging in the artist and the performance that you paid good money to see? Not to watch it through an LCD screen from several hundred feet away. I've been guilty of it as well, and don't view the pictures that often. Now, I understand people with prime seats, capturing a moment that may or may not ever happen again. It's the people half way back with their cell phones recording video. What exactly are they going to do with the content? Spend the effort and time to post Blackberry video footage on YouTube? Show all their friends who weren't fortunate to go? "gather around my Blackberry everybody!" Post it on social media sites and share with the masses? Perhaps...

Roger Waters made comment of this from his Wall tour this past fall. I think WE all want to see this show on Blu-Ray at some point. A professionally shot and mixed Hi-Def version. He hesitated to film it due to the fact that were so many phones and cameras in the crowd. The 2 shows that have been recorded had extremely strict policies. So, hopefully we'll see it in our living rooms the way HE intended to be. Not the douchebag with the iPhone. I have seen Russ' AMAZING pictures he took at this show! Front row, with a high-zoom camera is a little different. Those are considered art in my book.

I remember an episode of What's Happening!! From 1976 or 1977. The guys had the Doobie Brothers perform at that old High School. Rerun got involved with some criminals, and had to "bootleg" the concert. He had a cassette recorder in his jacket, and it fell out while he was dancing. A cassette recorder. Now not only we can audio record (with some bands blessings no less) we can video record it too. They were in the front row, so prime location to "bootleg". Bootlegging was something of myth when I was growing up. You paid big money for bootlegs.

I am also guilty of this. I've taken my fair share of pictures at concerts thanks primarily to the fact they let you bring cameras in. Good for the artists and the venues to acknowledge the fact that cameras have got smaller and phones can take pretty good pictures. I guess the one thing I have to say if that I'm aware it might distracting. In smaller venues especially... it adds up considering the smaller venues allow for the better photos and video. I've never been in video recording much of anything... ever. So, maybe I don't get that aspect of it.

My point to my rants are just be aware. Be conscious of your surroundings, and those around you. LCD screens are bright in dark theaters and arenas, so it can distract from the concert experience. Maybe not yours, but the guy behind you who paid the money NOT to see your LCD screen all night.

Most importantly... Put down the cell phone, or the camera. Put your hands in the air and enjoy the fucking moment! Bring home the memories, not the footage. Raise your lighter in the air! Nothing makes the concert experience more meaningful than what's in your ears and your heart!

-Mike

Rock isn't dead: The two best albums of 2011

I really don't like writing reviews, how do you judge art? What I love you may hate and so on. However, I read every week or so that rock is dead yet two of the best albums of the year or rock records and since one was never reviewed (I was surprised Russ, lol) and the other will probably be ignored after the first week sales because the band is not mainstream made me want to write something. So if you have these records, congrats! If not I hope you check them out soon.

Foo Fighters- Wasting Light

Back in April we got the latest Foo Fighters album. They may be the most consistent band out there right now. I have been a fan since the first song I heard from the first album "For The Cows", their sense of humor mixed with their rock knowledge is hard to beat.

The album kicks off with "Bridges Burning" a hard, melodic song that gets everything off to a great start then we get to the first single "Rope" a great song with a super catchy Foo type chorus. The only "mistake" of a song may be "White Limo". It's a scream fest which was the first thing most people heard off the record because the Foos released a promo video (featuring a limo driving Lemmy) for it just before the album release.

The record is kind of a typical Foo record in the way that if you took out the heavy drums and loud guitars every song would be pop gems accept they seem way more focused this time. I would love to tell you the stand out tracks, but the whole album is stand out, even White Limo is worth the listen just for the change of pace. If I had to pick a favorite it would probably have to be the closing track "Walk"




This was by far the best record of the year in my opinion, until....

Anthrax-Worship Music

This album is a heavier album and what I think Metallica would had liked to have sounded like with "St. Anger". This band has never got it's due because they never seemed to get a label push over the years. The reunion with the singer from their best known line up, Joey Belladonna sounds fresh. Their older records with him suffered from bad production... Not this time though, the album comes right at you. The album starts off with a intro piece called "Worship" then "Earth On Hell", both good tracks but then really picks up with "The Devil You Know" and doesn't stop til the end of the album, each song after "Devil" is strong.

Once again... There are so many strong tracks that it is hard to pick one, but if I had to it would be "In The End" a tribute to Ronnie James Dio and Dimebag Darrell

Anthrax - In the End by Ricardoseelig on Mixcloud

This is the metal album of the year easily and with the only other major release coming being Metallica and Lou Reed's "Lulu" I don't see this losing it's ranking (Have you heard anything off "Lulu"? Yikes!)

Both albums are truly great. If I had to choose one it may be "Wasting Light" but it'd be a very tough choice. Like I said earlier... If you haven't heard one or both records, do yourself a favor and get them soon. Both are worth the money and time