School [1989] - Nirvana

The first time I heard 'School' by Nirvana was when I saw its promotional video on Youtube. The band recently (not to mention finally) released a DVD of their legendary 1992 Reading Festival performance and needless to say I was hooked! 'School' is not a very complex song, the lyrics are not particularly profound but its charm lies in its pure simplicity. Starting off with a simple distorted riff, the song kicks into life when the bass and drums join in the mix. I would suggest listening to the remastered version of Bleach with the bass turned up. Trust me, the more bass, the better. Kurt Cobain restricts his vocabulary to "Wouldn't you believe it it's just my luck" , "No recess" and "You're in high school again ". Yes, that's it folks, three sentences. However, these fit well with the song and so does its noisy,discordant guitar solo. Overall, 'School' is a fun song to listen to, the kind of song that warms you up and gets your blood pumping.

Rating : 8/10

"No recess!"

Going Down [1971] - Freddie King

Released in 1971 , Blues legend Freddie King's 'Going Down' is a real monster of a song, one that would be covered by various future guitarists such as Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jeff Beck and even Joe Satriani. Featuring catchy-as-hell piano playing by none other Leon Russell himself, a groovy bass line and King's throaty vocals, the song became an instant blues classic. But the real centerpiece is King's guitar. It plays the role of a secondary vocalist, demanding the listener's attention every time it squeals through the background. It emotes as much as King, perhaps even more, channeling his passion through every note. Seen as an attempt to fuse classic blues-rock with the emerging hard rock scene of the 70s, 'Going Down' was ultimately a success that influenced a generation of guitarists and its impact can still be felt today.

"I'm going down
I'm going, down, down, down
Down, down
Yes, I'm going down, yes
I'm going down, down, down
Down, down
Yes, I've got my feet in the window
Got my head on the ground"

Rating 9/10

Never Miss A Beat [2008] - Kaiser Chiefs

After the hit-or-miss sophomore effort that was 'Yours Truly, Angry Mob' , Kaiser Chiefs bounced back to form with their third studio album 'Off with Their Heads'. Featured on this album was the lead single 'Never Miss a Beat', which included Lily Allen on backing vocals. The song fits quite nicely into the Chiefs post-punk revival sound, rivaling hits such as 'Ruby' and 'I Predict A Riot'. The drums thump along, driving the song with its catchy beat while the bass rumbles in perfect unison. There some really neat guitar work to be found on the song along with fuzzy keyboards which add a sort of sugary charm. But of note are Ricky Wilson's lyrics which feature subtle social commentary but above all are fun to sing along with. So if you are looking for a radio friendly pop-rock song, this is probably it, but be warned, it may just get stuck in your head!

"Televisions on the blink
There's nothing on it
I really want a really big coat
With words on it
What do you want for tea?
I want crisps
Why don't you join the team?
I just did"

Rating : 6.5/10

Nobody's Fault But My Own [1998] - Beck

'Nobody's Fault But My Own', was the third single off Beck's 6th studio album, Mutations. A blues song with Indian instruments? Only Beck could have come up with that! While Indian instrumentation was not uncommon in rock music, Beck gives it a unique twist in this beautiful song. The lyrics are haunting with plenty of metaphors, a prime example of his poetic talent. That coupled with his bleak delivery, the sitar and the droning tanpura in the background, really sucks the listener in, demanding more and more listens. This song received the most critical acclaim on the album, and rightly so. A classic in its own right.

"When the moon is a counterfeit, better find the one that fits
Better find the one that lights the way for you. "

Rating : 9.5/10

Nobody Loves Me And Neither Do I - Them Crooked Vultures

What can be said about supergroups that hasn't been said before? They usually comprise of highly talented musicians who come from various established bands, but never quite live up to the sum of their parts. Supergroups range from great (Cream,Crosby Stills and Nash) to average (Audioslave, Velvet Revolver) to just plain awful (Zwan anyone?). With a great set of talent often comes a whole lot of ego, leading to disastrous results. Supergroups are often treated with suspicion, and with good reason. Enter Them Crooked Vultures. Take one of the greatest drummers in modern rock (Dave Grohl of Nirvana & Foo Fighters fame) , a cult hero (Josh Homme, frontman of Queens of the Stone Age) and a rock god if there ever lived one (John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin) and you have, potentially at least, the greatest hard rock band to come out since perhaps Led Zeppelin themselves.So how does their self-titled debut pan out? I'll be reviewing just one song so you'll have to hear the whole thing, but I think the one song will be enough to give you a good idea.

The album opener is 'Nobody Loves Me and Neither Do I', a funky mix of 70's hard rock fused with 90's modern rock sensibilities. At 5 minutes long, the song showcases the individual strengths of each of the members. Dave Grohl pounds away on the drums adding a little cowbell for good measure (a little more cowbell never hurt anyone!). Josh Homme shows his penchant for hard rock riffs while singing in his trademark falsetto. John Paul Paul remains his usual composed self, preferring to remain in the background with his slide bass. Yes, his slide bass. This adds a nice twist to a song that very well could have stayed generic. Production wise, the song sounds a little raw. While this is not really a bad thing, the trio sound so tight, I wish there was a little less echo and more of the slide bass. The song really kicks into another level at around the 3 minute mark. The band launches into this, if I may say so, sick groove that carries on for the rest of the song. It is both hypnotizing and heavy at the same time, reminiscent of the last minute of QOTSA's 'Song for the Dead'. It finally ends in a flurry of guitar of drums, leaving the listener extremely satisfied. While the song is a little uneven at times due to its mishmash of styles, it is breath of fresh air in the crowded hard rock genre. The potential displayed by TCV is an indicator that perhaps supergroups can indeed be super.

"I know how to be lost in lust
Not because you should, but because you must"

Rating : 8/10

A Looking In View - Alice in Chains

After 14 long years, Alice in Chains released their much awaited 4th studio album in October this year. The question on everybody's mind was how the band would replace its iconic lead singer, Layne Staley, who tragically passed away in 2002. But die-hard AIC fans need not worry, as replacement William Duvall does more than a capable job, sounding eerily similar to Layne while not exactly imitating him either.
The lead single off the album is the 7 minute long 'A Looking in View'. It carries on the dark,sludgy sound that was first introduced on AIC's self titled album (released in 1995). From the moment the down-tuned, heavily distorted guitars kick in, you know that this is not some re-hashed attempt at former glory, this IS Alice in Chains. William Duvall's vocals are mixed at par with Jerry Cantrell's for most of the song, although you do get to hear his voice stand on its own. However, when Duvall and Cantrell harmonize their vocals, the song is at its best. The chorus is catchy by AIC standards, but on the downside, the song is a bit too long for its own good. Some of the riffs and lyrics are repeated too often, losing its effect. Also, I couldn't help but wish for a guitar solo by Jerry Cantrell. Overall the song is a fine return for one of Grunge music's big 4. For long time fans, 'A Looking In View' will fit in perfectly with the band's classics, a haunting and eerie rocker. For non-fans, do give it a listen, this is real grunge music, not the post-grunge bullsh*t that's being spoon-fed to the masses.

"Silence burning, hold your tongue
Keep us separate so they'll know"

Rating : 7.5/10

S.O.R.R.Y

To those who actually read my blog,

A big SORRY for the lack of updates!! My internet is heavily censored in college which means even my blog is blocked! I could have easily gone to a cyber cafe and updated it but a hectic college schedule coupled with the internet censorship has seriously hampered my access to new music. However, I plan to resume blogging after I go home for my vacations (and with a vengeance). Please be patient and enjoy the loud love life!

Kabir

Jane's Addiction - Ritual De Lo Habitual (1990)

Released in 1990, Jane's Addiction's follow up to 'Nothing's Shocking' surpassed its predecessor in every possible way. That was no mean feat since 'Nothing's...' was a classic in its own right. By this point the band had refined it's own unique and original sound of blending funk,hard rock and heavy metal and the end result was 'Ritual De Lo Habitual', a masterpiece of an album. The album is clearly divided into two distinct halves. The first half begins with 'Stop!', a perfect blend of funk and thrash metal. Dave Navarro proves that he is one of rock music's most underrated guitarists as he tears into a (quite literally) face-melting guitar solo. Bassist Eric Avery keeps up the funk sentimentalities on the next few songs, driving the rhythms with his ever-so funky basslines. Also on this half is the modern classic 'Been Caught Stealing'. The song features one of the most catchiest riffs ever written, witty lyrics and a solid rhythm section. It almost forces the listener to dance along to its beat, such is its addictive nature. The next half sees the band exploring slightly darker territory. The songs are longer, moodier and more atmospheric. On the epic 'Three Days', singer Perry Farrell deals with the time he spent three days with his girlfriend and a girl named Xiola Blue in a "haze of sex and drugs". The song twists and turns, and is emotionally charged. 'Then She Did' is just as emotional, dealing with the death of a loved one, perhaps even two. Both songs combined clock in at 20 minutes and compliment each other well. The album closer is the complete opposite of the opener with its soft acoustic nature. Although Jane's Addiction would break up soon after the release of this album (the first of two break ups), they left behind a legacy that only a few bands could have accomplished in a such a short period of time and 'Ritual De Lo Habitual' provides a testimony to that.

Song Picks :

• Stop!
• Ain't No Right
• Been Caught Stealing
  
• Three Days
• Then She Did
  

Jane's Addiction - Nothing's Shocking (1988)

Most of today's alternative rock bands owe more to Jane's Addiction than they get credit for. Released in 1988, Jane's Addiction's debut studio album 'Nothing's Shocking' quite literally sent shockwaves through the music industry. Mixing various styles such as modern rock, progressive rock, and heavy metal, they became one of the first pioneers of Alt-Rock. With Dave Navarro's funky guitar style, Eric Avery's bouncing basslines, Perry Farrell's unique vocals and Stephen Perkins' tribal-like drumming, Jane's Addiction created a dynamic that few bands can replicate today.

The album has its fair share of Zeppelin-like moments such as the heavy hitting 'Mountain Song' and 'Pigs in Zen'. The band even has its own quirky moments as well, such as the horn-filled 'Idiots Rule' and the jazz instrumental 'Thank You Boys', but also displays a genuine penchant for hard rock styles in the form of the brilliant 'Had a Dad' and 'Standing In The Shower...Thinking'. Dave Navarro's guitar playing really shines through on these songs with funk-laced guitar lines and classic blues solos.Bassist Eric Avery must also be given due credit as many of the songs are driven by his haunting basslines.A prime example of this would be the beautiful psychadelic rocker 'Summertime Rolls'. Jane's Addiction shows off their softer side in 'Jane Says', an acoustic guitar driven ballad, perhaps the sweetest song on the entire album. However, the album's most epic song remains the seven-minute long 'Ted, Just Admit It.' Dealing with serial killer Ted Bundy, the song is a funky,disturbing free-form jam that shows off each of the band member's individual strengths. Despite the different styles displayed on 'Nothing's Shocking', the album is a thoroughly consistent affair, an album that would ultimately pave the path for future alternative bands who would come to define the 90's and remains as fresh as ever even today.

Song Picks :

• Ted, Just Admit It
• Mountain Song
• Summertime Rolls
• Had A Dad
• Jane Says
• Standing In The Shower...Thinking

Isis - Wavering Radiant (2009)

Isis' fifth full-length album starts off with a bang through album opener 'Hall Of The Dead'. Unlike their previous album 'In The Absence of Truth', the band wastes no time getting to the point and unleashes a chugging heavy metal riff. But Isis is not about being heavy, its about the ambiance, creating an atmosphere to lose yourself in. Their music can be loosely classified as post-metal, but upon comparison to their previous albums, 'Wavering Radiant' clearly demonstrates an evolution of their sound.All the songs present on the album are fluid, organic pieces. There is no verse-chorus-verse structures, just musical passages. Unlike previous albums, 'Wavering Radiant' has no over-arching theme, it may be there but perhaps not evident enough. Keyboards take an important role in the album as band member Clifford Meyer gives texture to the songs when they need it the most. The transition from heavy distorted riffs to clean interludes gives the songs a wavy, dream-like feel. But therein lies the beauty. Also of note is vocalist/guitarist Aaron Turner's emphasis on clean sung vocals. While he still employs his harsh death metal growl, the balance of the two styles is well maintained. As usual, his vocals are mixed a bit lower, making the lyrics undecipherable. Tool's Adam Jones makes a guest appearance on the album, contributing guitar work to the epic 'Hall Of The Dead'. Drummer Aaron Harris maintains a tight groove throughout along with bassist Jeff Caxide (hear '20 Minutes/ 40 Years' for further proof). Overall, 'Wavering Radiant' will be one those albums not too many people would have heard as the songs are long (the songs are minimum 7 minutes in length) and the band unheard of, but for non-Isis fans, this is as mainstream as it gets.

Song Picks :

• Hall Of The Dead
• Ghost Key
  
• Hand Of The Host
• Threshold of Transformation

Art Brut - Art Brut vs. Satan (2009)

After listening to English-German indie rock band Art Brut's 'Art Brut vs. Satan', one word comes to mind : idiosyncratic. The lyrics deal with unusual and odd topics such as public transportation ('The Passenger') and adults who haven't quite grown up ('DC Comics and Chocolate Milkshake'). Lead 'singer' Eddie Argos doesn't actually sing but rather converses with the listener. The songs itself are quite catchy and there are some genuine pop-rock goodies to be found on the album. The guitars weave in and out throughout the songs and the bass is prominently audible which adds an always welcome punch. However the main weakness of 'Art Brut vs. Satan' is that it's charm wears off mid-way through. The first few songs are highly energetic and the nonsensical lyrics are quite amusing but halfway through the album the songs start to get rather annoying and similar in nature. While the childish and immature nature of Art Brut may be appreciated by some, there's no denying that there is not enough quality material on their third album to captivate a first-time listener's attention for very long.

Song Picks :

• DC Comics and Chocolate Milkshake
• The Passenger
• What A Rush
  

Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream (1993)

Smashing Pumpkins' 1993 sophomore effort 'Siamese Dream' is one of the definitive alternative albums of the 90's.The riffs are extremely catchy, the distorted guitars sound just right, the production is solid and the album is well balanced. However the above wouldn't matter if the songwriting wasn't excellent. As with all Smashing Pumpkins albums, this one is completely dominated by lead singer/guitarist Billy Corgan's ideas. The thing that makes this album truly great is it's ability to mesh completely different musical styles on one song. Many of the songs start off with the heaviest of riffs only to be overshadowed by dream-pop like interludes, sucking the listener even further into the songs ('Silverfuck') . On some of the songs this dynamic is reversed but it still works to great effect ('Soma'). On this album were many of today's modern rock anthems such as 'Cherub Rock', 'Hummer' , 'Rocket' and 'Today'. If people ever thought that Coldplay were being original when they composed 'Viva La Vida', I must request them to listen to 'Disarm', the only acoustic ballad on the whole album. Jimmy Chamberlin proves himself to be great drummer providing complex and innovative drumming throughout the album ('Geek USA'). A standout feature of this album is it's sound. The guitars sound layered and heavy especially the crunchy distortion.The guitar solos wail through the background, the bass rumbles at just the right pitch and the drums thud along perfectly. While the early 90's may have been dominated by Nirvana and Pearl Jam, 'Siamese Dream' remains one of the greatest albums of the era.

Song Picks :

• Cherub Rock
• Hummer
• Rocket
• Today
• Disarm
• Geek USA
• Silverfuck

NO UPDATES

There shall be no updates till June 2nd. I'm on vacation.

Mastodon - Crack The Skye (2009)

What do paraplegics, space travel, Rasputin and the Devil have in common? Nothing really, till Mastodon released their 4th studio album. Hot on the heels of their successful album 'Blood Mountain' (2006) Mastodon had a lot to deliver, however they have not only delivered the goods but Crack The Skye may well be their best work to date. Sonically, the album is a bit of a departure from their previous work. Gone are the growling screamy vocals, instead the band opts to use clean vocals on a large portion of the songs. Also the frenetic pace on previous albums have been cut down in favour of more melodic passages. Synthesizers have been used for the first time. However the album still retains the heaviness Mastodon have come to be known for, along with the twin guitar attack of Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher, odd time-signatures and out of this world drumming by Brann Dailor.

The new style the band has opted for is prominent on the two longest songs of the album. Clocking in at 10 minutes, 'The Czar' is the album's central masterpiece. Comprising of 4 parts, the band throws in everything but the kitchen sink. Keyboards? Check. Shifting tempos? Check. Bluesy guitar solo? Check. The song comprises of so many intracate melodies that it may be overwhelming for a first time listener. The 13-minute album closer 'The Last Baron', every bit as epic as 'The Czar', truly pushes the boundaries of metal, almost bordering on muscular art-rock.'Divinations' is probably the most 'catchy' song on the album, but maybe it's because it has a banjo (?!) strummed intro. Overall, 'Crack The Skye' comes as close to being a modern-day prog-metal classic as it gets. The vocals may be a bit weak and the subject matter may seem excessive, but it no way detracts from the excellent musicianship Mastodon have come to be known and loved for.

Song Picks :

• Oblivion
• Divinations
• The Czar
• The Last Baron
  

Slow Updates

To all those who read my blog, im sorry for the slow updates. It's highly lazy of me to post once in 5 days since im actually not doing anything else! Will update more regularly now!

Thanks,

Kbarat

Queens Of The Stone Age - Songs For The Deaf (2002)

Imagine a long, lonely drive through the desert. There's nothing except your car's radio to keep you company, only the various Radio Jockey's and the songs they play. That is what QOTSA's ambitious 2002 effort aims to do, to put you quite literally in the driver's seat and how it succeeds! Frontman Josh Homme proves himself to be a master collaborator, bringing in a slew of guest musicians all of whom make their presence felt on this wonderful album. Some of these guests include ex-Screaming Trees vocalist Mark Lanegan, who provides his signature deep vocals on a few tracks. Then there is Dave Grohl, who practically begged to be on the album after they toured with the Foo Fighters.His powerful and muscular drumming adds a whole new dimension to the album. The Queens show off their various musical influences such as hard rock,pop,punk rock and psychedelica. Uniquely, the album has three lead vocalists, frontman Josh Homme himself, bassist Nick Oliveri and of course, Mark Lanegan. The album opener is quite deceiving, for a first time listener may think of QOTSA as a screamo band. Nick Oliveri screams his lungs out over a barrage of guitars and drums. The next song is the Grammy-nominated 'No One Knows'. Josh Homme delivers his soothing vocals over a pounding distorted guitar riff; a sort of an anomaly in today's rock scene. Other tracks include 'Go With The Flow', with its chugging keyboards, swirling guitars and even a lap steel guitar, the song pays tribute to 70's pop rock. Each track Mark Lanegan contributes to is as haunting as it is heavy such as 'A Song for the Dead','A Song for the Deaf' and 'Hangin' Tree'. QOTSA's 'Songs For The Deaf' may seem like a straight forward hard rock album, but the various musical styles,the triple singers and even Dave Grohl's drumming all contribute to a wholly unique and fanatasic album. Just don't let the radio chatter get to you!

Song Picks:

• No One Knows
• First It Giveth
  
• A Song For The Dead
• Hangin' Tree
• Go With The Flow
• A Song For The Deaf
  

KoЯn - KoЯn (1994)

Korn's (or should I say KoЯn?) seminal self-titled debut album is a dark and disturbing listen. Jonathan Davis' vocals range from aggressive to downright harrowing and lyrically, the album deals with topics such as abuse, parental issues, neglect and even nursery rhymes (yes, you read that correctly). Musically, the album is a hybrid of many styles such as metal, grunge, funk and even hip hop. This kind of music came to be known as Nu Metal. Guitarists Head and Munky use downtuned seven stringed guitars which sound very heavy yet crunchy enough at the same time. Bassist Fieldy's bass guitar sounds like the crack of a whip but that further adds to the unique sound. The drumming is simple and effective. Album opener 'Blind' is a classic of the Nu-Metal genre and so is 'Shoots And Ladders', a song comprised completely of childrens nursery rhymes. This song could have gone wrong on so many levels but Jon Davis gives his own creepy twist to the song adding a innovative bagpipe intro,an instrument uncommon to rock music. Also of note is the disturbing and harrowing album closer 'Daddy'. Davis pours his heart out to the listener and breaks down into tears by the end. The disturbing part is that it's all caught on tape,so raw and emotional. While the album may appeal more to teenagers due to the subject matter, theres nothing here that would prevent an adult from enjoying it any less. The issues dealt with here have been experienced by all at some point.

Song Picks :

• Blind
• Faget
• Clown
• Shoots And Ladders
• Daddy
  

The Verve - Urban Hymns (1997)

The Verve's 'Urban Hymns' was probably the last great album of the Britpop era. Originally intended to be a Richard Ashcroft solo album after The Verve's first break up in 1996, he and guitarist Nick McCabe soon patched things up and recorded 'Urban Hymns'. There are two very evident musical styles on the album. First there are the Ashcroft-influenced pop rock ballads and rockers. Of these, there is the world famous 'Bittersweet Symphony'. A hit in both the UK and US, this string-laden song is both majestic and empowering. 'The Drugs Don't Work' is a heartbreaking acoustic ballad dealing with Richard Ashcroft's father's battle with cancer. It is depressing yet beautiful. 'Sonnet' is also another upbeat song and so is 'Lucky Man', a gem of a song consisting of simple chords,keyboards and a beautiful guitar solo. Then there are the McCabe-influenced space-rock/psychedelic rockers such as the dreamy 'Catching the Butterfly' and the groovy rocker 'The Rolling People'.The band often launches into lengthy freeform jams during these songs but they never get tiring due to bass guitarist Simon Jones, who maintains a solid rhythm section by providing simple and effective basslines. The band also finds middle ground on songs such as 'Velvet Morning', 'Space and Time' and 'One Day'. The album closer 'Come On' is an epic way to finish off a brilliant album. It starts off slow enough before building into a pounding hard rock finish.'Urban Hymns' is one of those albums that stand the test of times. A must-listen for all.

Song Picks :

• Bittersweet Symphony
• The Drugs Don't Work
• Lucky Man
• Catching The Butterfly
• The Rolling People
• Come On
  

OK Computer - Radiohead (1997)

Radiohead burst on to the scene in 1993 with their smash hit 'Creep', from their debut album 'Pablo Honey'. A self loathing, depressing song, it became the band's albatross. Critics labelled them as a one hit wonder and a band looking to capitalize on the grunge bandwagon.However, they proved all naysayers wrong with their highly acclaimed follow up album 'The Bends'. They further cemented themselves as rock legends with their their third album 'OK Computer'. The band's later releases would mover further away from their established rock sound, incorporating elements of ambient music, electronica and jazz. However Radiohead's popularity has not waned in the least bit and are continuously praised for thier unique and evolving sound.

Radiohead's 'OK Computer' is and remains a watershed in modern alternative rock, an album that forever changed the music scene. Sonically rich, the album's instrumentation is highly diversified. Guitarist Jonny Greenwood demonstrates his versatility as a multi-instrumentalist using the electric piano,mellotron, glockenspiel and synthesizers in addition to various electronic effects. The album deals with themes such as modernization, globalization,transport ('Let Down'), technology among other things.'Karma Police' is a brilliant song dealing with insanity and dissatisfaction of capitalization. It starts off with a simple yet catchy piano/guitar riff but over time runs into a completely different ending which sounds like a computer crashing.'Paranoid Android' is a modern prog-rock classic. The song is a roller coaster ride of different moods ranging from anger to paranoia. The dual guitars have a melodic yet muscular feel to them and are peppered with various effects. The album draws inspiration from classical music and space rock as many of the songs are highly atmospheric in nature such as the haunting 'Climbing Up The Walls' and the melancholy 'Subterranean Homesick Alien'. 'Exit Music (For A Film)' is sombre and dark, buliding up to an explosive finale. Of note is the beautiful 'No Surprises' which is like a modern day lullaby. Consisting of a layered guitar sound and the glockenspiel, it deals with a person who is sick of it all and is contemplating suicide. 'The Tourist' is a perfect album closer with a spacy and brooding feel to it in tune with the album's themes. Thom Yorke's vocals are top notch throughout. His powerful falsetto adds to the tension in the songs and honestly no other singer could have pulled it off as well as he does. If you've never heard OK Computer, go and hear it right now! There is more to Radiohead than just 'Creep'.

Song Picks

• Paranoid Android
• Subterranean Homesick Alien
  
• Let Down
• Karma Police
• Exit Music (For A Film)
• No Surprises
• Lucky
• The Tourist
  

Pearl Jam - Ten (1991)

Pearl Jam's debut album 'Ten' is very dear to me. I literally know this album like the back of my hand. Every drum roll,every guitar solo,every time Eddie Vedder 'oohs' or 'aahs', I know it. It still mesmerizes me to this day and it never grows old 4 years after I first heard it. Every once in awhile an album or albums come around that defines the zeitgeist. This along with Nirvana's 'Nevermind' captured the spirit of the grunge movement. With their flannel shirts, torn jeans and a 'I don't give a fuck' attitude, Pearl Jam captured the attention of the youth of the 90's. They were a band people could actually relate to. They weren't a bunch of overblown rock stars, they were more than that. They were real. Pearl Jam was formed in 1990 after the demise of Mother Love Bone, an upcoming grunge band. Ten was critically lauded upon release and was commercially successful, having sold 13 million copies in USA till date.

On 'Ten', Pearl Jam successfully manages to fuse hard rock,arena rock and punk to give it a unique sound. It is one of the landmarks of alternative music. Oddly, the album starts off with part one of a hidden track known as 'Master/Slave'. This gives way to the album's true opener, 'Once' ,a heavy rocker which sets the tone for the rest of the album. The next five songs that follow are, in my eyes, all classics. As most people know, 'Alive' is a muscular rocker with powerful lyrics that deal with a boy coming to learn about his real father and also involves,shockingly, incest. 'Alive', even today, serves as an inspirational anthem to many with its uplifting chorus and instrumentals. Of note is also a brilliant solo by Mike McCready which I can actually sing along to! 'Even Flow' is another brilliant song on which Eddie Vedder deals with homelessness. It proves as an excellent companion song to 'Alive'. The next song 'Why Go' is also solid, dealing with the use of psychiatric hospitals. 'Black' is perhaps the most emotional and fragile song on the album.You can actually feel the pain and sadness in Eddie Vedder's voice as he sings about the loss of a loved one. 'Jeremy' is a dark song with an even darker music video that accompanied it. It is one of the highlights of the album and deals with an emotionally neglected boy and his subsequent actions. The song sends a chill down my spine every time I hear the swirling guitars descend into chaos and madness in the end. The album hits a low with 'Oceans' and along with 'Porch' (an upbeat punk rocker) and 'Deep', which are pretty standard fare. 'Garden' is an underrated gem which grows slowly on the listener. The album's closer 'Release' displays Eddie Vedder's wide vocal range, and is one of the more mellower songs on an otherwise heavy album. 'Release' also features part two of the hidden track 'Master/Slave'. While Ten is Pearl Jam's finest, one should not hesistate to check their subsequent albums which are all brilliant in their own ways.

Song Picks

• Alive
• Even Flow
• Why Go
• Black
• Jeremy
• Release
  

Soundgarden - Superunknown (1994)

Soundgarden's 70-minute sprawling epic 'Superunknown' was perhaps the last great grunge record of the 90's.Released in 1994, it was a period when the grunge movement was in decline; many influential bands having disbanded or nearly disbanded. Kurt Cobain's death that year would be the final nail in the coffin for this short lived musical movement that provided many young listeners an alternative image to sugary pop music , rap music and the like. Formed in 1985, Soundgarden were one of the big four of grunge music. Although they were more heavy metal than actual grunge, they influenced many bands of today such as Wolfmother and The Dillinger Escape Plan. Although overshadowed commercially by Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Soundgarden found their first true commercial hit with 'Superunknown', selling over 6 million copies in USA alone, driven by the singles 'Black Hole Sun' and 'Spoonman'. Both songs earned the band a Grammy in 1995.

At the very outset one can tell the album is extremely bleak with song titles such as 'Fell On Black Days' and 'Like Suicide', the latter being one of the finest 'depressing' songs i've ever heard. Chris Cornell's lyrics deal with death,suicide and substance abuse. While the band retains their heavy sound from previous albums such as 'Badmotorfinger' and 'Louder Than Love', it is taken one step further on this album by introducing pop and psychedelica elements on songs such as the beautiful and desolate 'Black Hole Sun' and the brilliant 'My Wave' which is a perfect fusion of psychedelic and heavy metal.Despite the songs enduring popularity, it could very well be one of the weakest songs on the album. 'Spoonman' is a quirky gem of a song with a call-and-response dynamic reminiscent of Led-Zeppelins 'Black Dog'. 'The Day I Tried to Live' deals with isolation featuring a brooding base line and a lively chorus and is one of the highlights of the album.Other songs include the self-depecriating 'Mailman' and 'Limo Wreck'.The album does have its share of filler songs such as 'Half', 'Head Down' and 'Kickstand' but they do not detract from the album's strength whatsoever. 'Like a Suicide' is a befitting album closer; it perfectly sums up the entire mood of the album and has a blistering guitar solo by Kim Thayil, whose guitar work is consistent throughout this magnificent album. When I look at Chris Cornell now as compared to what he was during his days as Soundgarden's frontman, I feel bad. The man obviously has a lot of talent but not the right outlet which Soundgarden provided. Superunknown remains as Soundgarden's magnum opus.

Song Picks :

• My Wave
• Fell On Black Days
• Black Hole Sun
• Spoonman
• The Day I Tried To Live
• Like Suicide
  

Rage Against The Machine - Rage Against The Machine (1992)

Aaah, Rage Against The Machine. Perhaps the greatest rap rock/metal bands of all time unleashed their titanesque debut album in 1992. This album would lead to countless imitators and usher in a new (or should I say nu?) genre of music into the mainstream. Even if it's not the best example to put forth, without RATM, bands such as Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit would probably never even see the limelight. Propelled by Tom Morello's 'sounds anything but a guitar'-guitar solos and Zack De La Rocha's angry and confrontational vocals, this behemoth of an album managed to successfully fuse heavy metal and rap music together.As your typical angry young teenager this album made me,well, more angry! (In a good a way of course).Alas, I don't feel the same way anymore, but the feeling I got when I first heard the album needs to be experienced at least once by every fan of good music.

The album kicks off with a funky bassline by bassist Tim Commerford on 'Bombtrack' and never lets go. There is not one song on the whole album that is not heavy. There are even some songs that are so heavy that they make the other songs pale in comparision! Songs like 'Bullet In The Head' and 'Killing In The Name' were instant classics.The next time you heat someone say 'Fuck you I wont do what you tell me!', you'll know where they got that. Many of the guitar riffs on the album are Zeppelin-esque in nature such as the brilliant 'Wake Up' which appeared on the Matrix soundtrack. The album ends with the epic 'Freedom'. If the other songs on this album didn't make you break something this song surely well! I cannot continue this review without mentioning a certain Mr. Tom Morello. Simply put, the man is a genius. The main guitar riffs are all in the vein of traditional heavy metal but the guitar solos are out of this world.One has to just hear the songs to know what I'm talking about. That isn't to say there aren't any normal guitar solos ('Know Your Enemy') . Lyrically,the album is highly political, influenced by Zack De La Rocha's leftist political views. The lyrics deal with media control,anti-war and anti-authoritarian subjects just to name a few. To a casual listener they may seem highly over the top and may get repetitive over a time. This album was meant to invoke feelings of rebellion so remember 'fight the war fuck the norm'!

Song Picks :

• Bombtrack
• Bullet In The Head
• Killing In The Name
• Wake Up
• Know Your Enemy
• Freedom
  

First Review!

As promised here is number 1 of the top 10 albums that influenced me. Im technically 'reviewing' an album after a long time, so forgive if seem too formal or too casual!

Audioslave - Audioslave (2002)

Formed in 2001, Audioslave was one of those 'supergroups' that had the potential of becoming one of modern rock's greatest bands.Whether or not they lived up to that potential is a highly debatable point,a question to which even i can't come up with an answer.On paper they seemed formidable,consisting of 3/4ths of Rage Against the Machine and 1/4 of Soundgarden,two of the greatest bands of the 90s. Their debut, in my opinion, blew away many albums by the mainstream rock bands of the time (yes nickelback and creed i am talking about you guys).Critics said that it lacked a cohesive sound, that of a band yet to find it's identity.However it was the first true rock album i heard from start to finish and it enabled me to further explore more and more genres and artists.

The album kicks off with a modern rock classic,Cochise. The helicopter-ish guitar builds up the tension culminating in an explosive main riff which keeps you hooked till the end.Chris Cornell's powerful voice is also captivating showing us why he is one of rock music's greatest vocalists.Other cuts on this album include the bass-heavy 'Show me how to live' and the 'Shadow on the Sun', the latter on which Cornell truly shines.On the whole the album sounds more like Rage Against The Machine, with an abundance of heavy riffs although lacking in real texture. However,it would be wrong to say that the album's more introspective songs don't shine.'Like a Stone' is a haunting yet beautiful ballad.'I am the Highway' is also a easy-going song with a beautiful solo by Tom Morello.I felt that the album was bogged down by too many songs that were not really necessary such as 'Exploder' and 'Bring em back alive'. To fans of Tom Morello,the guitar solos aren't as good as the ones back in his RATM days, but to a then-newcomer, it simply stunned me. You could never beleive that half the sounds heard on the album are from his guitar! Overall while it was mixed bag,Audioslave's debut self-titled album was an amazing experience for me, the kind i'll never forget.

Song picks :

• Cochise
• Show Me How To Live
• Shadow On the Sun
• Like A Stone
• I Am The Highway
• Set It Off
  

Loud Love - A New Beginning

Well this is it.I have finally decided to start my own blog! I could have thrown in a random line from one of my favourite songs to describe what i feel but I honestly cant think of a single thing right now. This blog will basically be an outlet for me to express my (mostly) unbiased opinions on music that has both inspired me and kept me going through some difficult times. The name of my blog has been taken from one of my favourite bands - Soundgarden. It is from their second album Louder than Love. I intend to update this blog everyday regardless of whether people read it or not.I have no intentions of being one of those people who excitedly show off their new blogs only to update it once every millenia.I promise to keep it as interesting as possible but i can be very formal at times,but hey,that's just me! :)

For the next 10 days I shall be reviewing ten of the albums that influenced my taste in music,till then live the loud life!