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Straight Outta the Coffin!
My journal for all things goth, punk and alternative.
Hmmm I think I'll start with British hardcore, as although I like some of the stuff coming out of Canada, and there is some good stuff coming out of the States (Trash Talk ect) American hardcore is still suffering from the 5 headed dragon (Metalcore/screamo/Beatdown Hardcore/Melodic Hardcore/Mathcore) so we shall leave it be for now. So let us begin... |
Looking forward to it man!
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Thanks Janzoon, but change of heart, I think I'll take this in a lighter direction for now and start with the...
Sisters of Mercy Beginning with their first track The Damage Done 1980 It is often forgotten that the Sisters were around long before they put out their first official album, debuting on the scene with the Damage Done in 1980 which is....not so good. The 7 inch featuring 2 tracks and a filler song is plagued by shotty production, poor mixing, and some atrociously drumming by Eldritch on the A track, small wonder why he chose to go with a drum machine on the next outing. The Damage Done Alice: 1982 Thankfully there subsequent release is when the band began to hit their stride by formulating their classic sound around the track Alice, with a B side that features a high energy song with some good echo and a driving bass line. Alice So thumbs down and * star for the horribly produced the Damage Done, but thumbs up and *** stars for Alice. Next up Temple of Love and the Reptile House |
Alternative, you say!?! I'll be watching very closely... o_o
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Temple of Love: 1983
Carrying on with the momentum of Alice, SOM released the Temple of Love 12 inch, another solid effort. Temple of Love is a well produced epic song, which consequently drags on a bit too long for my liking. In some ways I enjoy the b song Heartland. Not a classic track, but I like dark mood of the song. Good tracks but not classics so thumbs sideways **1/2 stars. Temple of Love The Reptile House ep 1983 Sisters of Mercy's first ep, and I can say I'm not a fan, it may be just my acquired musical taste, but I just find all the tracks, slow sludgy and uninspiring. I'm just not feeling the groove, ** stars thumbs down. Burn |
While I'm here I mind as well get through the other lackluster release before things start to get good.
Anaconda 7 inch Perhaps Making up for the gloomy Reptile House we get the more chippy Anaconda 7 inch , unfortuantly like many of their earlier releases it fails to inspire. The B side features the instrumental Phantom, a half step back into dub, but overall there is nothing spectacular here, thumbs down ** stars. Anaconda |
I love the Temple Of Love! I first heard that at 14. Cool journal bro. :D
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Okay here is where things start to take off and get good with my personal favourite Sisters of Mercy song, on the B side to Walk Away.
Walk Away 12 inch 1984 Walk Away of course is remembered as one of the more popular tracks off the album First and Last and Always, and although it is a good song, the masterpiece really resides on the B side of this 12 inch. Now I don't like to pump up songs, because then they disappoint, but the Poison Door is one of those timeless goth songs that have you thinking the Lost Boys are floating outside your window. Eldritch is in top form here, outdoing Peter Murphy in my opinion, and everything in this songs composition falls nicely into place from the minor guitar riffs to the drums, bass, reverb effects. Ambience at its best. thumbs up **** stars Poison Door |
Body & Soul 1984 12 inch
Body & Soul features another of my personal favourite Sisters of Mercy songs, and the one that initially turned me onto the band. Although not as timeless as the Poison Door, the song train is a electronic driven goth song, packed with all sorts of delayed effects and echos. It might be a bit too much for some people, but Eldritch's vocals are back in top form for this one. As for the other three songs, Body and Soul is a good standard 80's goth song, as is the sleepy atmospheric sounds of Afterhours, can't get into Body Electric though. Thumbs up for Body & Soul on the strength of Train, *** stars. Train |
First and Last and Always 1985
The Sisters of Mercy's first full length album is by far their best. If I were to rate it solely on its musical tone and atmosphere, I would give it 4 stars, but unfortunately it's missing that classic song to put it over the top. As consequence, you have a lot of great songs that just fall short of brilliance. Thumbs up ***1/2 Stars. Black Planet First And Last And Always Nine While Nine (Hmmm shades of Johnny Marr?) |
Bit late with my welcome but just wanted to say thanks for joining our journal community; looking forward to your contributions. Great so far!
(By the way, aren't you really called Spike...?) :pssst: |
No worries, less time consuming than making a blog, and more people will see it.
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Floodland LP 1987
The Sisters of Mercy's second album Floodland contained the one thing that First and Last and Always was missing. The quintessential song that you could play over and over again all day long, namely"Lucretia My Reflection" a classic goth song framed around a simple 8th note baseline, reminding us that sometimes simplicity is all you need. Unfortunately, the albums sound as a whole is heavily dated, largely as a result of the bands move towards a more contemporary rock sound, accompanied by synth beats. Thus despite some quality songs, you can't escape the fact that this album is firmly entrenched in the 80's. Thumbs up *** Stars. Lucretia, My Reflection |
Vision Thing 1990
The Sisters of Mercy's final album shows signs that the bands creative juices were beginning to run dry, largely as a result of Eldritch's decision to continue to move them towards a more mainstream pop sound. Whether this was an attempt to become more commercially viable, or the fact that they were just getting old and losing their edge, Floodland comes off as a pretty standard 80's rock album, making it horribly dated. Yes the opening track is killer, and there are some good songs, but when you consider that this was the same year industrial goth legends Skinny Puppy put out Too Dark Park, it was clear it was time for the Sisters to exit the center stage. **1/2 stars thumbs sideways. Vision Thing When You Don't See Me Final thoughts: The Sisters of Mercy were a good band worthy to be remembered, as they featured one of the most talented vocalists in their genre, but on a whole, they will also be remembered as a band that fell just short of brilliance, for whatever reason, they weren't able to create that timeless masterpiece. Next up, something from the 90's. |
So switching gears again, as I'm in a right fuc#in sour mood, so the fluffy alternative bands like Bloc Party will have to wait. That's more Angel's music anyways....twat!
Anyhow I got sick of hardcore after doing that 6 to 8 month countdown thread but its easy for me to do... so here we go with everyone's favourite down n out band. Blood for Blood Before releasing their first full length CD, Blood for Blood had to small EP's, but because all the songs of worth are also on that album, I'll just jump straight to it. Spit my Last Breath 1997 Spit my Last Breath is not a stellar release unless your a fan of 1990's NYHC (Sick of it all/Madball ect) as it is in the same vein with a Bostonian twist. The album defiantly establishes the dark brooding mood of the band, but they had not yet defined their sound that people would come to love with this exception of one track, the poetic Redemption Denied, clearly the most memorable song on the album. Despite this, unless your a fan of beatdown oriented hardcore, I can't really recommend the album on a whole, ** stars thumbs down. Redemption Denied |
Revenge on Society 1998
There has always been class divisions in hardcore, you've got your socially conscious middle class bands, and than you've got your working class street bands. Blood for Blood of course represents the latter, as they solidified both their sound and anti social attitude with the release of Revenge on Society, an album that put them on the map with the single Wasted Youth Crew. On a whole I like this album and think its worthy of three stars, but I don't think its good enough to draw in listeners who are not generally fans of this style of hardcore... which may be a good thing. It is however raw and real, *** stars but thumbs sideways as it depends on your personal musical taste. wasted youth crew |
Livin in Exile 1999
One of the great things about hardcore is that traditionally each region has its own distinct cultural sound. (ie NYHC, British Hardcore, Cali ect) Although this is changing somewhat with the internet and the corporate rock clones of metalcore, Rob Lind's thick east coast accent & the bands musical style is a good example of this as per the intro to this album. No Tomorrow As for the album itself, a bit short, but a good solid slab of three chord punk rock, including a cover of Motorhead's Ace of Spades, not as good as the original of course, but still worth the listen. Anyways *** stars thumbs up. Livin in exile The intro is a bit over the top, but a good punk tribute to a great band |
Outlaw Anthems 2002
Okay here we go, Straight Outta of Charlestown...though I hear Charlestown has changed as much as Compton over the decades. Thumb up **** star album. Not 4 stars in a Pink Floyd The Wall way, but in a one hell of a rippen three chord punk rock album way. It ain't prim and proper, so if you can't handle this, than you need to stay in your safe suburban home and listen to Green Day and Avenged Sevenfold...pussy! Love Song White Trash Anthem Mother Dear She's Still a Bitch (Called Hope) The whole album |
Serenity 2004
When I give a punk rock album 4 stars its because I am aware that these bands have no money, which means they can afford at the most, one or two sessions in a recording studio, meanwhile some $hit band like Nickleback gets to spend weeks if not months in a recording studio. When they recorded this album, they hadn't even played the songs together as a band until they got into the studio. The simple passing along of tapes that jives with their work schedule to learn to play the tunes. Real punk bands don't make any money, and they never will, I find that most people in society can't relate to the music and would prefer to keep it swept under the rug. I would love to give this album 4 stars, as it features my two favorite Blood for Blood songs, but in reality its probably 3 stars, but I'll go with ***1/2 thumbs up. One little release for the band to go and than onto something else. Hanging on the Corner City Boy |
Okay one last entry for one of the greatest bands to grace the stage of hardcore.
With the exception of all the dreary screamo ****, punk rock has always been pretty uplifting music. Hardcore in particular is fighting music, strap on your boots and give life the finger for trying to grind you down, never submit and never quit, no victims here. Off their 2001 Victory records compilation When The Storm Comes (I'll Stand Alone) |
Final Thoughts:
As stated above, I believe Blood for Blood is one of the greatest bands to grace the stage of hardcore. They are not as technically proficient as fellow travelers Converge, who arose out of the same city and time period, but they got down right what matters in punk, the attitude. Page 1 Sisters of Mercy Page 2 Blood for Blood Next up, one more hardcore band, and than I steer this journal in a different direction. |
Gallows
I will be covering Gallows up to the release of Grey Britain, after Frank Carter left they became a different band, nothing against Wade McNeil, but the choice to go with a North American singer has significantly altered their sound, even if the musicianship and attitude remains the same. Limited Edition 2005 (Demo) It seems to be a trend these days to release a band's demo work once they hit it big, and Gallows is no different. I don't know if it was mutual decision with a record company to cash in (nothing wrong there), but it was released so I'll quickly cover it. I'm at a bit of a disadvantage here as I don't own the album, and one of the tracks "the ballad of..." is extremely hard to come by for download, I'm still on standby for it, which could take sometime. At this point Steph Carter hadn't joined the band but the their sound is solid. You can tell from the get go that this isn't your average hardcore band. However I simply can't rate the album without having all the tracks, so here is one that would not be featured on Orchestra of Wolves. swarm over death |
7Inch split 2007
One more quick entry before things get interesting with this band. Up to the lead up to the Orchestra of Wolves album, a series of singles were released that would all eventually make it onto the CD, with the exception of one song featured on a split they did with the band November Coming Fire. I haven't reviewed the other bands work, but the Gallows tracks features nothing worth throwing up here. ** stars thumbs down. |
Orchestra Of Wolves 2007
Gallows first full length release. There are many different versions of this album, but I am going to cover the one distributed by Epitaph Records in the North America.A good solid hardcore album, nothing spectacular at this point. There is some melodic dischord that I'm not to big on. The off tempo beat of "just because you sleep with me doesn't mean your safe" doesn't thrill me, but that's just my own personal taste. I also find the album to be a little old school in terms of heaviness, with a song like Abandon Ship having a slight pop tinge to it that was prevalent amongst melodic hardcore bands during this time. Belly of a Shark of course is the most notable track off this album, but I also like Black Hearted Queen, as it features one of the time honored traditions of British Hardcore in its intro; the Tom-tom drum beat. The tom tom drum beat harkens back to the days of Chaos UK & the Exploited, and is most notably memorable as the intro to Metallica's Whiplash song. Another good track on the album that I don't believe is on the UK release, is the cover of Black Flag's Nervous Breakdown, when the band had an even greater singer than Henry Rollins..in my opinion anyways. Anyways I'll go thumbs up *** stars In The Belly Of A Shark black heart queen nervous breakdown |
Staring at the Rude Bois (Single) 2007
There are now two great covers of the Ruts Staring at the Rude Boys song out there. The first being off of Dag Nasty's Field Day album, and the second, a single by Gallows. I actually like the Gallows version better than Dag Nasty's, though the latter probably had the least amount to spend on recording time. I also think that adding grime artist Lethal Bizzle into the mix was a nice touch, especially since by modern standards, Grime appears to have largely supplanted Reggae in the UK for some decades now. Nothing beats the original version though. Anyways with Belly of a Shark on the B side, a big thumbs up and **** stars. I'll leave you to decide which version is the best. Gallows The Ruts Dag Nasty |
Grey Britain 2009
There were a lot of hardcore releases through the first decade of the century, and although the general consensus amongst many people is that Converge's Jane Doe is the best hardcore album of the 00's, I must dissent by proposing Gallows Grey Britain instead. Yes it is true that Converge is an extremely technically proficient band, and that Jane Doe is flawless in these regards, but the album itself is punk turned inside out. Converge rose to prominence in the 90's, when hardcore was largely supplanted by post hardcore, bleak over perspective music that focused more on technicality and brooding, than the straight forward rebelliousness of the previous decade. This is reflected in Jane Doe, it is heaviness without melody, and bleakness without the f#ck you attitude of punk, Grey Britain on the other hand is the opposite. For all intents and purposes Grey Britain is truly a well crafted album from start to finish. It brings hardcore back to its basic three chord rhythms, standard timing, and back up shouting vocals. It is bleak but uplifting, because the profanity and f#ck you attitude is straight in your face. This UK eulogy might not be as heavy as Jane Doe, but it sure is a lot more rebellious, and it contains one of my favourite hardcore songs of all time, Misery! So what can these $hitty punk bands do when a big record label throws money behind them?....apparently quite a bit. **** stars, thumbs up, best hardcore album of the decade. The Riverbank (Intro) Misery Queensbury Rules Crucif#cks |
Final Thoughts:
In my old hardcore countdown thread I think I once mentioned that British punk was cursed, as it appears that every leading band in the scene implodes in one fashion or another. Be it the Sex Pistols, Discharge or Gallows. Consequently Gallows is one of those bands that only comes around once in a blue moon, as none of their peers in the British hardcore revival have been able to put out an album that comes close to rivaling Grey Britain, this includes metalcore acts like Bring Me the Horizon. I can therefore see why people are upset with the bands decision to go with a North American singer, that being said, those who are holding out for the Carter brothers to return, will be waiting a long time, as they have both stated they have no desire to return to hardcore. Quite simply put, the moment has passed. The remaining members in Gallows however, are still the guys behind the musicianship of Grey Britain, so don't write them off yet, and as for the Carter brothers...f#ck em!!! lol , just kidding I look forward to hearing stuff from their new bands. Anyhow time for a different direction, next up The Smiths. Page 1 Sisters of Mercy Page 2 Blood for Blood Page 3 Gallows |
The Smiths
Hand in Glove (Single) 1983 I am going to quickly skip over the Smiths first single. Hand in Glove is a great song! but it would be re-recorded on the first Smiths album, so it's largely the shotty production quality here, as well as a weak song for the b side. ** thumbs down, wait for the album. This Charming Man (Single) 1983 Of the three bands I've reviewed so far, it took them all awhile to develop the sound that would lead them into greatness, or near greatness, but for The Smiths it was there from day one, a clear testament to the talent of this band. This Charming Man is far from my favourite song, but for a 20 year old to come up with this opening riff is pretty damn good, add Morrissey's vocals to the mix and you have a great single. Not too big on Jeane the b side track though. On the strength of This Charming *** stars thumbs up This Charming Man |
The Smiths - (Album) 1984
The Smiths self titled debut album firmly establishes the sound that would carry them throughout their career, it's a great record, so I will quickly walk through some of the songs. The first two tracks off the album are nice somber tunes for a rainy day, but the album doesn't kick off for me until we hit Miserable Lie, a forgotten classic that starts off with a soft lullaby tone, before transforming itself into a high energy dance tune. This is personally one of my favourite Smiths' songs, as everything from Morrissey's whimsical lyrics, to Marr's nifty guitar riffs all clique together perfectly. Miserable Lie Both of their first singles appear on the US release, so here is a better recorded version of Hand in Glove. Hand in Glove The final song I'll put down for this album is Still Ill, another popular classic from the band. Still ill This album eeks out 4 stars for me, if they had put the singles version of "What Difference Does it Make", on the record it would throw the album over the top, that being said, this is a nice tranquil record from start to finish, the Smiths were the masters of making lullaby rock tunes, and it is much harder to make a good soft rock album than something that gets you going just because its spiked your testosterone levels. **** stars, thumbs up. |
What Difference Does It Make? 1984
I suppose when I review a single it's only fair to take the A side primarily into account, as the B side was often an afterthought, a song for whatever reason was not picked as a single or for an album. That being said, Back to the Old House is a worthy B side to accompany one of The Smiths most popular singles, and one of my favourite riffs from Johnny Marr, not overly complex, but there is a reason why he is continually cited as one of Britain's greatest living guitars. I wish I could play like him, but alas...I am but a lowly bass player, so I shall let the master explain below. **** stars thumbs up. What Difference Does It Make? Johnny Marr explaining his guitar sounds on amps What Difference Does it Make? live |
Time to knock of the other two singles from 84
Heaven Knows I'm miserable Now 1984 Well I must dissent somewhat with one of the Smith's most popular singles, as the popularity of some songs are driven by their lyrical content and this is one prime example. I was going to give it 3 stars but Morrissey's lyrics really connect with the common person here, and the B side, Suffer Little Children, is good but creepy melancholy song about the 1960's murder of little children found in the moor. *** thumbs up (NO, I changed my mind again. I think I'll stick with 3 starts) William, It Was Really Nothing 1984 A song about me? One of my least favourite Smiths singles, though I admit it is growing on me a bit. The B side "Please, please, please, let me get what I want" is one of those songs that became immensely popular via public demand. It has been covered by...get this, at least 18! different bands, most of them notable. (Hootie Blowfish/Third Eye/ Ferdinand ect) Johnny Marr has a nice little guitar fill here, but otherwise the popularity of this song is beyond my comprehension. ** 1/2 Thumbs sideways William, it was really nothing Please please please let me get what I want |
How Soon is now? (Single 1985)
Another infamous Smiths single, originally released on the "William it was really nothing" 12 inch single. (Just covering the 7 inch to keep it simplified) The song is most notably known for its unique guitar intro, which utilized a series of taped guitar tracks in tremolo, all played together in synch. I believe the other sound is a slide with a whole lot of reverb. Anyways the things you had to do before digital came along. I do love analog though, just a warmer feel. Anyways a great song, it takes sometime to grow on you though, okay B side to. *** 1/2 stars thumbs up. How Soon is Now? Johnny Marr talking about how he got the sound for the song. Noel Gallagher raving about Johnny Marr & the Smiths |
At a quick glance Noel Gallagher in that video looks a bit like Al Pacino circa Scarface era.
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Shakespeare's Sister (Single) 1985
A quick entry for the Shakespeare's Sister 7 inch. I actually enjoy it more than How Soon is Now?, but recognize its not as good of a song. Just my own personal taste, a more upbeat release. What She Said b side. *** stars thumbs up Shakespeare's Sister What She Said |
Meat is Murder album 1985
I'm going to skip over some album singles here to get straight to the meat! The Smiths second album is often cited as their weakest release and I must concur. The overall mood and tone is there, but the hit singles are not. How Soon is Now? is the saving grace on the North American release, otherwise there isn't a whole lot of notable songs on the album outside of Nowhere Fast or the Headmaster Rituals. The album is much more polished than their first with the Smiths experimenting with some contemporary musical styles. Both Rusholme Ruffians and Barbarism begins at home sounds like something you would hear off of an album like Zenyetta Mondatta from the Police, but they fail to hit the mark, and then there is the dark and depressing droning off Meat is Murder. No the album just doesn't do it for me. **1/2 stars thumbs down. Nowhere Fast Next up, a better album. |
I am going to quickly skip over some more singles that are on the next album, but the Rubber Ring is featured on the b side of The Boy with a Thorn in his Side" which tends to be a popular song, so here it is.
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The Queen is Dead Album (1986)
This is it, the album that engraved the Smiths into musical history in Britain, and put them on the map in North America as a notable indie rock band. The real question is however; should I play it safe, and give an album that has been consistently listed as one of rocks greatest feats 4 stars, or should I go against the grain and give it something else? The album itself isn't flawless, I know that many Brits worship the Smiths like they are the second coming, but you do really have to be a straight laced poff to like every flowery pop tune on this album...just sayin. That being said, there are some beautifully written melancholy songs on here. I guess in the end, it comes down to whether or not the three heavyweight tracks (Bigmouth Strikes Again, There is a Light that Never Goes Out & Some Girls are Bigger than Others) warrant the album 4 stars. The latter of the three songs is the weakest, but the other two could easily be some of the Smiths best efforts. Bigmouth Strikes Again is my personal favourite, its fast paced acoustic rhythm pairs up nicely with the nifty electric guitar riff, while the sad tone & lyrics of "There is a Light that Never Goes Out," has Morrissey in top form. Add these to drudgy melancholy songs like "Never Had No One Ever," and you've got yourself a 4 star album. **** stars thumbs up. Bigmouth strikes again (my personal favourite) There is A Light That Never Goes out Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others |
Panic (Single 1986)
Another great Smiths singles, largely as a result of Morrissey's lyrics, which takes aim at the shallowness of pop music visa vi... Burn down the disco Hang the blessed DJ Because the music that they constantly play IT SAYS NOTHING TO ME ABOUT MY LIFE In short, you can have a great dance single that sings about crystal castles and princes, or raps about bling and hoes, but until you start writing meaningful songs that the common person can relate to, you will just be another $hit bag pop star that caters to the fantasies of 14 year olds. I respectfully request to hang the DJ. **** stars thumbs up Panic Ask (Single 1986) I believe this is the first Smiths song I ever heard, either this or This Charming Man. A bit too feminine sounding for me, but it's a good song nonetheless. Ask *** stars thumbs up |
Shoplifters Of The World Unite (Single 1987)
Time for The Smiths last two non album singles starting with "Shoplifters of the world unite", a decent tune that gets better with every play. It features " Half a Person" on the B side, which in itself is a great song that pushes the quality of this 7 inch up, so.... ***1/2 stars thumbs up Shoplifters of the World Unite Half A Person Shelia Take a Bow (Single 1987) On a whole, I'm convinced that underground music fans have a completely different taste in music than the general public, because for the life of me I cannot understand why Shelia Take a Bow was a top 10 single in the UK. I can hardly bear to listen to it now, let alone on my own leisure time outside this journal. In short, I find it to be a big pile of sap that makes me want to hurl. Not a fan of the B side either. *1/2 stars thumbs down Sheila Take A Bow Johnny Marr talking about lending his guitar to Noel Gallagher |
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