The Alfred Top 25

Alfred · 01-05-2009, 05:06 PM

This list is severely out of date. Only read if you want to see what my taste was like 6 short months after moving out of the "music noob" stage.

Alfred · 01-05-2009, 09:35 PM

25. Cancer Bats "Birthing The Giant" (2006)

What it is: Heavy punk rock
Favorite track: "French Immersion"

I don't really know where to start with Cancer Bats. Their sound blends the heaviness and aggressiveness of metal with the simplicity and energy of punk rock, all with a southern edge. Birthing The Giant is an impressive debut from the Bats, with big metallic riffs, crazy lyrics, and amazing energy. The purpose here is clear, and that purpose is fun.

For a band with a complete lack of singing, Cancer Bats have hooks coming out their fingernails, and here it seems to be the lyrics, and Liam Cormier's aggressive vocals definitely suit the sound. Simple, yet effective lines such as "Let's do this!" from French Immersion or "We are the ones who'll die!" from Golden Tanks make you want to yell right along with him.

Instrument-wise, the Cancer Bats are fairly minimalistic. But this doesn't mean that you won't find hooks in their instrumentals. Often times at the end of a verse or chorus, they'll thrown in a little riff, usually played by both the bassist and the guitarist. The lack of singing also forces you to notice the instruments more, how they change the mood and feel of the song.

This album isn't brilliant, groundbreaking, and has no diversity at all, but it's energetic, and intense, and that's what I look for in a modern punk rock album. "Let's do this!" has become something of a catchphrase with me and one of my Cancer Bats-listening friends. What I like about Birthing The Giant is how simple, yet effective it is. It's like The Ramones all over again.

Listen to it, let it take you for a wild ride.

Piss Me Off · 01-06-2009, 08:46 AM

Y'know as much as i love Hail Destroyer i still haven't got this yet. It's that old cliche, too much music, too little time.

Double X · 01-06-2009, 08:56 AM

I think you have posted that video before...but this looks interesting, even if the video is just some guy riding a bike.

Sneer · 01-06-2009, 09:05 AM

Quite awful, but i await your next entry with some sense of intrigue

FireInCairo · 01-06-2009, 09:13 AM

Not to my taste at all, but goodluck.

jackhammer · 01-06-2009, 09:13 AM

That sounds more Metal to me personally and not my thing but keep it up alfred as your posts and tastes for your age are mature.

Alfred · 01-06-2009, 03:08 PM

I do use the term 'punk rock' quite loosely. Whether it's metal or hardcore punk (I say it's both) is quite disputable.

Thanks for the comments so far. I'll try to get the next one up real soon.

And if you're interested, some honorable mentions:
Tom Waits "The Heart Of Saturday Night"
Every Time I Die "Gutter Phenomenon" or "The Big Dirty"
Envy "Insomniac Doze"
Fu Manchu "California Crossing"
Johnny Truant "In The Library Of Horrific Events"
The Mars Volta "De-Loused In The Comatorium"
Rage Against The Machine "The Battle Of Los Angeles"
Ramones "Ramones"

FaSho · 01-06-2009, 03:12 PM

Sweet Jesus i am looking forward to this. I LIKED Birthing The Giant, and a lot of things you've reccomended to me. Hope to see a few more in the countdown

Alfred · 01-06-2009, 03:44 PM

24. Asian Dub Foundation "Rafi's Revenge" (1998)

What it is: Jamaican music meets electronica and hip hop?
Favorite track: "Naxalite"

Asian Dub Foundation is a band I found out about from a video game, and this video game was Need For Speed: Underground. But this was years ago. It wasn't until after seeing Urban mention them in one of his posts that I remembered them and decided to give them a shot. Jackhammer told me to get this album, and what a great recommendation that was.

I will skip the genre lecture, because I don't know what it is exactly myself. Rafi's Revenge is a hard album to pin down on one genre. They seem to be quite the band to gather influences and put them all together. A wide variety of instruments are used here to create an extremely interesting sound that defies any classification.

The first track, Naxalite focuses on a more energetic sound, opening with a riff that can only be described as electricity in musical form, and becoming a sort of techno-world-rap song, it gets me pumped up every time. Black White is a song that celebrates our multicultural society and slams racism. You'll find some songs that lean more towards an electronic sounds, and you'll find your more Jamaican-style stuff. In the end, it's very satisfying.

Asian Dub Foundation's focus seems to be one of peace and acceptance, and even the instrumental aspect seems to compliment their philosophy. It's definitely a rewarding listen, and I encourage anyone who hasn't listened to try it. The melodies are catchy, the instrumentation is diverse, and end product is a kickass album.

01-05-2009, 05:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Alfred one big soul Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5,096	The Alfred Top 25 This list is severely out of date. Only read if you want to see what my taste was like 6 short months after moving out of the "music noob" stage. __________________ LAST.FM / VINYL COLLECTION / RYM Last edited by Alfred; 08-07-2010 at 01:08 PM.

01-05-2009, 09:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Alfred one big soul Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5,096	25. Cancer Bats "Birthing The Giant" (2006) What it is: Heavy punk rock Favorite track: "French Immersion" I don't really know where to start with Cancer Bats. Their sound blends the heaviness and aggressiveness of metal with the simplicity and energy of punk rock, all with a southern edge. Birthing The Giant is an impressive debut from the Bats, with big metallic riffs, crazy lyrics, and amazing energy. The purpose here is clear, and that purpose is fun. For a band with a complete lack of singing, Cancer Bats have hooks coming out their fingernails, and here it seems to be the lyrics, and Liam Cormier's aggressive vocals definitely suit the sound. Simple, yet effective lines such as "Let's do this!" from French Immersion or "We are the ones who'll die!" from Golden Tanks make you want to yell right along with him. Instrument-wise, the Cancer Bats are fairly minimalistic. But this doesn't mean that you won't find hooks in their instrumentals. Often times at the end of a verse or chorus, they'll thrown in a little riff, usually played by both the bassist and the guitarist. The lack of singing also forces you to notice the instruments more, how they change the mood and feel of the song. This album isn't brilliant, groundbreaking, and has no diversity at all, but it's energetic, and intense, and that's what I look for in a modern punk rock album. "Let's do this!" has become something of a catchphrase with me and one of my Cancer Bats-listening friends. What I like about Birthing The Giant is how simple, yet effective it is. It's like The Ramones all over again. Listen to it, let it take you for a wild ride. __________________ LAST.FM / VINYL COLLECTION / RYM

01-06-2009, 08:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
Piss Me Off Moodswings n' Roundabouts Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: At the corner of Dude and Catastrophe Posts: 4,512	Y'know as much as i love Hail Destroyer i still haven't got this yet. It's that old cliche, too much music, too little time. __________________ Last FM Rate Yr Music Muxtape

01-06-2009, 09:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,430	Quite awful, but i await your next entry with some sense of intrigue __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show

01-06-2009, 09:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
FireInCairo Later on... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,235	Not to my taste at all, but goodluck. __________________ O G MUDBONE: Only You can prevent forest fires.

01-06-2009, 08:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
Double X sleepe Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: boston Posts: 1,140	I think you have posted that video before...but this looks interesting, even if the video is just some guy riding a bike.

01-06-2009, 09:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	That sounds more Metal to me personally and not my thing but keep it up alfred as your posts and tastes for your age are mature. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

01-06-2009, 03:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
Alfred one big soul Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5,096	I do use the term 'punk rock' quite loosely. Whether it's metal or hardcore punk (I say it's both) is quite disputable. Thanks for the comments so far. I'll try to get the next one up real soon. And if you're interested, some honorable mentions: Tom Waits "The Heart Of Saturday Night" Every Time I Die "Gutter Phenomenon" or "The Big Dirty" Envy "Insomniac Doze" Fu Manchu "California Crossing" Johnny Truant "In The Library Of Horrific Events" The Mars Volta "De-Loused In The Comatorium" Rage Against The Machine "The Battle Of Los Angeles" Ramones "Ramones" __________________ LAST.FM / VINYL COLLECTION / RYM

01-06-2009, 03:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
Alfred one big soul Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5,096	24. Asian Dub Foundation "Rafi's Revenge" (1998) What it is: Jamaican music meets electronica and hip hop? Favorite track: "Naxalite" Asian Dub Foundation is a band I found out about from a video game, and this video game was Need For Speed: Underground. But this was years ago. It wasn't until after seeing Urban mention them in one of his posts that I remembered them and decided to give them a shot. Jackhammer told me to get this album, and what a great recommendation that was. I will skip the genre lecture, because I don't know what it is exactly myself. Rafi's Revenge is a hard album to pin down on one genre. They seem to be quite the band to gather influences and put them all together. A wide variety of instruments are used here to create an extremely interesting sound that defies any classification. The first track, Naxalite focuses on a more energetic sound, opening with a riff that can only be described as electricity in musical form, and becoming a sort of techno-world-rap song, it gets me pumped up every time. Black White is a song that celebrates our multicultural society and slams racism. You'll find some songs that lean more towards an electronic sounds, and you'll find your more Jamaican-style stuff. In the end, it's very satisfying. Asian Dub Foundation's focus seems to be one of peace and acceptance, and even the instrumental aspect seems to compliment their philosophy. It's definitely a rewarding listen, and I encourage anyone who hasn't listened to try it. The melodies are catchy, the instrumentation is diverse, and end product is a kickass album. __________________ LAST.FM / VINYL COLLECTION / RYM