Alkaline Trio are one of my all time favourite bands. They are also pretty much at the 'Bad Religion stage' of their career where they could probably give up or start making weird interpretations of what they think is pop music and we'd still have to give them the benefit of the doubt because they've earned the right to do whatever they want by now. I may get into my theory on how odd numbered albums are generally better (ie the first, third and fifth albums) some other time.
The last two albums weren't bad exactly, they just seemed to be mellowed out a little, which again, is understandable given the fact the guys are not carrying quite as much emotional baggage as they used to. They continue to write and put out music, which can be a double-edged sword for us fans, but thankfully the new single 'The Torture Doctor' is showing signs of a return to form.
The opening riff and verse are strong. And if I'm gonna get over-analytical about it, I think the production in general is as good as it has been the last few albums, but the guitar tone is a little rawer and more like it used to be. We're talking minuscule differences in gain levels but hey, what can I say, I'm white and nerdy.
Dat misfits inspired pre-chorus. Nothing new for them of course but still, it's nice.
I cringed when I heard the 'hey! ho!' It's 2013 guys, what are you doing? On the other hand I will admit it is a solid hook and one that will draw the peoples in.
There is also another song, 'I Wanna Be A Warhol'.
The intro has got a great energy that diminishes as the song goes on.
Verse is good but the chorus lacks any of the bite the band used to have.
I'm hoping it's a slow burner, as was Mercy Me back on Crimson.
For some reason it reminds me of modern blink-182 in the verse now that I listen to it again.
Definitely will be a popular song over time I think.
Ever feel like you're being punk'd? Myself and my friend Shane were walking in Stanley Park when we were approached/assaulted by an energetic young woman and her Asian man-friend. Both were dressed in bright running gear and Cheshire cat grins. Apparently they were filming some footage of themselves playing Frisbee as part of an audition tape for a TV show 'The Amazing Race' but they couldn't get the shots they wanted and could we record some for them a little bit please they'd be ever so grateful and here's the camera it's on a tripod but it doesn't have to be thanks! *deep breath*
I don't know what it is about us, but we keep getting approached by people to do stuff like this. Anyway, joking aside, I was happy enough to help out and filmed their over zealous sporting endeavors, as they hammed it up for the camera and generally acted North American. It was in the barrage of conversation after this that we found out the girl in question, Mariee, had an alter ego, Justine Beaver, who raps whilst kitted out in a beaver suit. Thanks to the marvel that is my Internet phone, I proceeded post haste to youtube where I found that this was actually true! And far from being in the slightest bit embarrassed about this, Mariee/Justine treated us to an impromptu rendition of part of the song as it played on my phone.
Apparently Beliebers aren't the biggest fans of Justine, which makes the whole thing even better. We were handed two satsumas as a reward for helping out and walked away feeling a bit like the folks in this gif:
Bad Religion don't need to make albums anymore. I'm pretty sure they're all rich enough from their 800 releases to date that they can easily just spend their days reading the newspaper, or wandering around the grocery store and generally do whatever it is that older gents do to pass the time. But, they're STILL making albums so it seems that they still love-a the punk rock-a and that's cool.
The preconceptions
It's been said that the Bad Religions have been writing the same song for the last 52 years and while that is kinda true, it's a pretty fucking good song!
Many people will say BR haven't been on the top of their game in many years and the newer albums suck. I say they've been consistent and Maps of Hell is a good CD.
True North has been called their best since The Process of Belief. TPOB is probably my favourite album so this is a lot to live up to inside my tiny head.
The evidence
True North
Now that's some classic Bad Religion! Lead single/title track True North is a quintessential BR song; short, snappy, with a, eh, succulent chorus. Yeah, succulent. The subtle stop and rhythm change around the 1.02 mark is what separates them from the generic punk that they can border on. Me gusta!
In Their Hearts Is Right
This is probably my favourite song as of now. The transition from good punk song in the verse to DAT CHORUS is just ridiculous as the guys flex their songwriting muscles and toy with your ideas of what a punk song should be. It's somewhere between System of a Down and the Beach Boys, right?! The best part is that as BR are one of the classic punk bands, loads of teenage AGGGGHPUNKX will listen to this and realise you don't have to vomit your songs/vocals into the face of THE MAN to get your point across. Let's face it, a lot of punk is horrible, out of tune and badly written. This, however, is like having your ears hugged by a little political panda.
My Head is Full of Ghosts
This goes about as hard as Bad Religion go! But it's still full of honey sweet harmonies and an almost youthful bounding pace that reminds me of, yes, The Process of Belief. This seems effortless, it's not exactly reinventing the wheel but then again the wheel is pretty good as it is. Who the fuck wants a square wheel?
The Island
Let it not be said that they don't try anything new! How about the little stop mid verse and multiple rhythm changes, eh?! Everything works so nicely and flows so well and I'm super jelly of their skillz.
I doubt I've said anything that fans didn't know already. Or changed any opinions. Like DAMN, I'd given up on Bad Religion, but NOW I'm gonna reconsider. But if for some reason you haven't checked out the album yet and want another dozen or so songs to add to your music library that will never be embarrass you when you put shuffle on at a party, then this is for you!
I've never owned an iPod and I've only recently gotten a smartphone so podcasts were always a bit of a mystery to me. I mean, people just talk for an extended period of time, like a radio programme? I can't see that taking off!
The epiphany moment came when I got the Tune In app on my phone and started using the search bar to find some interviews etc. My first discovery came whilst searching for some spoken word stuff from Henry Rollins.
The Nerdist Podcast
If you're not familiar with nerdist.com then this podcast can at first glance appear to be best suited for those who dwell in Game Workshop back rooms (you know who you are...). However once you scratch the surface, I found that the people behind this are comedians who consider themselves nerdy, rather than nerds who consider themselves comedians. This distinction is crucial. Guests in the last while have included Yvette Nicole Brown from Community, Dave Grohl from being a rockstar for as long as I've been alive and CM Punk from WWE.
Pros:
It's genuinely funny, without the hosts seeming too competitive or trying to showcase their best jokes too often.
The relaxed style means you get a better sense of the guests and, free from a strict time limit, each episode can go in a number of different ways that are not the usual interviews.
The guests are pretty top notch.
For the most part the tone is positive and it can be smart without being preachy.
Cons:
If you want to hear some nerdy insight into what the person actually does, you may be out of luck. Or you might hit the jackpot! It's that hit or miss! e.g. There's basically no wrasslin' talk in the CM Punk podcast
There isn't one everyday! Sometimes I have to wait an entire 3 days until a new one is online, oh noes!!
How Stuff Works
This is also a spin off of a website, howstuffworks.com. Basically each time these two dudes read up on a topic and break down how it works. It gets a bit technical but the subject matter ranges from cool fantasy themes like Bigfoot and Vampires, to garbage-fuelled cars and kleptomania. The podcasts are usually about 20-30 minutes long and are well researched and can be funny.
Pros:
There are a wide variety of topics, something for everyone!
The guys seem to have their background work done each time.
It can satisfy the most science-loving intellectuals as well as regular joes who want to learn something new in baby steps.
Cons:
It can get a biiiit heavy at times when they bring their SCIENCE TALK.
There sometimes is a lack of fun, so if the topic is something you don't care about, there's not much incentive to listen to it.
The format is pretty rigid.
100 Words or Less
I've only just started listening to this podcast, which is run by a dude who works (worked) with metal record label Century Media, used to sing in a band and helps set up Sound and Fury Fest. He focuses on independent music, usually of the heavy persuasion, as well as other 'creators' and people he finds interesting. From what I've listened to so far, there's a nice mix of general sh!t talk and planned interview-type questions.
Pros:
It's great to hear a 'regular guy' type podcast from someone who likes heavy music and other cool stuff. Except the 'regular guy' has lots of industry knowledge and contacts/friends.
There's a nice range of interviewees/topics within the 'alternative' scene.
Cons:
The sounds quality can be poor/inconsistent, eg interviews over skype.
It could do with a co-host to add some more banter into the mix.
It's not on TuneIn :( But I guess it's my fault for not having iTunes
I actually hate writing reviews like this in a 'professional' (ish) way, always feel like I'm taking things too seriously. Either way, there's some podcasts I like, holler at me with some recommendations!
I don't actually listen to metal these days. Not 'proper' metal anyway, just stuff with breakdowns played by lads with emo fringes. The only REAL METAL I enjoy in any way is the completely ludicrous, over the top, so into it that it's a parody of itself, MEEETAAAAAAAAAL.
There was a time when I'd try to get into the supposedly more credible genres such as metal and pop punk would be a guilty pleasure from my younger years. These days I am unashamedly representing my pop punk roots but I occasionally relapse into a metal fix. Thankfully these moments are few and far between and when they do happen I am clearheaded enough to see them for the ridiculous, homoerotic lolfactories that they are. So, here is the first installment of Ridiculous Metal of the Month: Bloodbound - In The Name of Metal
So we see the little kid wake up only to be confronted with the genre that every metalhead most despises; Country and Western!! (They also don't like rap too much but will allow it in some situations). Ughhh, country, it's so cheesy and wack. Old music played by dumb hicks with long hair. Not like REAL MUSIC. Not like METAL.
Some things to note:
Nothing is more metal than screaming metal in a falsetto voice while wearing leather. NOTHING.
The kid is a great actor and I love that he's nodding his head from the first line and then headbanging out of time and using his air guitar within the opening few seconds, such is the feeling that metal gives him.
"You say I'm evil, you say I suck. My hair's too long, I don't give a fuck!" And it goes on like this. Is this srs?!
METAL in flames. Hell yeah!
The kid knows his stuff. Proper metal bands like Kiss and eh, the Misfits...
What is the guy in the guitar shop actually doing while he checks the guitar? And why isn't he worried that this child is there alone, buying a guitar that is too big for him, with not even a carrybag or case thrown in? Poor show, sir.
And so it finally ends, and the kid is on the streets with just a pointy guitar for company.
