Queens from what Age?

Since I've now reached to a point where I can't really decide if Im a punkrocker, a rocker or what so ever, I came to conclude that it doesnt matter. I just love music. And I will always be open to new suggestions and bands.

Today's dedication goes to a band which has followed me and been around for many many years. I'm talking about Queens of the Stone Age. With their latest album Era Vulgaris (a title refearing to an ordinary Era/ Epoc) I just have to admit that they won't refine or "re- tune" their sound.

Formed in 1997, in a place called Palm Desert, it's needles to say why they tend to play what is called stoner rock. Well I don't know if they're stoned while compossing and writing the music (everything from mushrooms to coca cola) but I surely Like it! With the ginger Josh Homme in the lead (after leaving Kyuss) who is also cooporating in side projects such as Desert Sessions, Eagles of Death Metal, Them Crooked Vultures, Troy in the guitar ( former of Perfect Circle), Joey Castillo (who started of his drum-career in Wasted Youth and has also played in Danzig), handsome Dean Fertita (keyboards) and last but not least Michael Shurman playing the bass in the band since 2007.

Funny thing is that when Josh Homme was asked, why they didn't name the band "Kings of the Stone Age", he just answered that it would be too macho.

They've released 5 albums so far with Era Vulgaris (2008) being their latest one. My favourite is the album Songs for the Deaf released 2001 and might be their most commercial release. Of course it's hard to compare but I must admit that Songs for the Deaf stands out.

Albums

- Rated R (1999)

- Songs for the Deaf (2001)

- Lullabies to Paralyze (2004)

- Era Vulgaris I (2006)

- Era Vulgaris II (2008)

And of course expecting their new album which's recordning started off this Januari. I hope it will be out by the end of 2011.

I now give you my very own top 5 in a random range

Mosquito Song (Songs for the Deaf)

Make it Wit Chu (Era vulgaris)

Song for the Dead (Songs for the Deaf)

Burn the Witch (Lullabies to Paralyze)

Millionaire (Songs for the Deaf)

" This record was supposed to sound bizarre—like lightning in a bottle. We also were extremely fucked up. It even sounds that way to me, like a crazy person. The radio interludes are supposed to be like the drive from L.A. to Joshua Tree, a drive that makes you feel like you’re letting go—more David Lynch with every mile."

Enjoy// Captain

Vheissu stands for.....

17th of october 2005 and Thrice's 4th album has been released by island Records. Just as their previous album, "Vheissu" faced a tremendous success, as it topped place 15 on billboard 200.

This album is by far their statement of a new character. Vheissu has it all. Piano, organ, electronic touches, folk even morse code! (in the beginning of "Image of the invisible" which is the first track of the album, the morse code heard spells out the title Vheissu). It's nice to mention that the title of the album has been inspired by a novel that Dustin read.

I don't know if it's thrice's first attempt to show their musical expressions and variations, but they've managed to bring their music to a higher lever. Experimenting with sounds, effects, feelings and emotions, they've given Vheissu a special place in my list. I just believe that this album's got it all.

It was rather difficult though to point out 3 songs, since all the 13 tracks are amazing. Here is my try though, hope you agree.

Image of the Invisible

The earth will shake

Red Sky

Quiet and cold.

Silent and Slow.

Night black as Coal.

Miles here below.

Enjoy//

Shilly

An ambulance please!

The year was 2003 and it was finally Island Record's turn to be incharge of the next Thrice Album. As I've read the title " Artist in the Ambulance" is connected to the financial aid organisation Syrentha Savio Endowment, which's objective was to support breast cancer patients. It's not a secret that Thrice has chosen to donate a big part from their profits to several organisations and institutes.

The single "Stare at the Sun" was perhaps the top reason of their exponential increasement in popularity and "growth". In combination with a sold out tour across the US (with Coheed and Cambria) which continiued throughout 2004, Island records issued "If we Could Only see us Now", that contained a slightely different version of "Artist in the Ambulance" and an acoustic version of "Stare at the Sun".

I don't think its a coincidence that the album reached nr.16 at Billboard 200! It was really difficult to pick out three songs. Every song is something special. The album is a collection of songs that opened the road to what I would call the true identity of Thrice. I must say that Artist in the Ambulance claims a Hall of Fame place (yeah it's kinda mainstream but still a hit). And of course Stare at The sun has a special place in my generall top list so I'll give it the "priceless" award:P

Anyway here it goes,

Silhouette

Cold Cash Colder Hearts

The Abolition of Man

I see the parts but not the Whole
study saints and Scholars both
But no perfect plan unfurls
Do I trust my Heart or Just my Mind?
Why is truth so Hard to Find in this World?
 Enjoy//Shilly

The Illusion of.......

This day is dedicated to Thrice's second album "Illusion of Safety" which was released in Februari 2002. The album was recorded in Brian McTernan's studio Salad Days in Baltimore. Brian has collaborated with bands such as Converge, Strike Anywhere, Darkest Hour, Hot Water Music a.s.o.

I don't believe that it's a matter of luck that Thrice signed with Island Records after their release. The album is in one word great! A little bit more distortion (comparing to Identity Crisis) and it seems as Thrice is now ready to explore their music and approach a higher level.

After the release, they head off on tour with "Hot Water Music" and "Coheed and Cambria".

I believe that this album is just as all their other albums a class of it's own. Hard, with anger at times, and a pace which makes you follow through the whole collection without noticing.

I now give you my very own top 3 from "Illusion of Safety".

Trust

Betrayal is a Symptom

A Subtle Dagger

so feed us all

another lie,

to still our thoughts,

appease our pride,

so we wont have

to change the way we see, we live, we love, we die

Enjoy//
Shilly

Once, twice, Thrice?

I will from today start following a new guideline when it comes to my posts. I figured out, that since every band goes through different phases, and since most of the bands tend to develope (or at least try to) I will dedicate a whole week to bands that represent me (their music is connected to different periods of my life). I will say a few words about each band, present their works and make my top 3 on each work. So this week starts off with my absolute top, Thrice.

Thrice was formed in 1998, and was founded by the childhood friends Dustin Kensrue and Teppei Teranishi. They started off as rock, or perhaps punk rock. I don't believe it matters what genre they belonged to, it was the beginning of a new era, Thrice would leave it's mark.

Playing with assymetric hard 2-step rythms and riffs remarkable for that time, they quickly won their fans' hearts. Their absolute first work was the self released EP First Impressions(1999). Two years later followed their first album, Identity Crisis.

Band Members

Dustin Kensrue

Teppei Teranishi

Eddie Breckenridge

Riley Breckenridge

Identity Crisis is with no doubt Thrice's first statement, they came and they would stay. And they still do. And guess what, this fall, they will release their 7th album! Anticipation? Hell yeah.

Anyway, I now present you my very top 3 from Identity Crisis, and hold on for more...

• Phoenix Ignition
• A Torch to end all Torches
  
• Under Par
  

www.myspace.com/thrice

Enjoy//

Shilly

Liam goes Beady Eye

Imagine Oasis wihtout one of the brothers, Noel Gallagher. This post is written in regard to the release of Beady Eye's debutalbum "Different Gear, Still Speeding" ( in Beady Eye Records label) which was produced by Steve Lillywhite, who has collaborated with amongst others U2.

The band was formed in 2009 and prefers to call itself a rockband. It's three members will take off on UK and European tour on march to promote their new release.

www.beadyeyemusic.com

Enjoy//
Shilly

Junip

I am pretty sure that most of you, are familiar with the tremendous singer- songwriter José Gonzalez. Well if you don't Im pleased to inform you that José is also featuring with two other swedish guys, Elias Araya and Tobias Winterkorn in "Junip".

The band took off it's career 2005 by releasing their first work, the EP Black Refuge. After five years followed Ropes and Summit and even the LP, Fields.
Junip is something special. Junip takes you away with it's acoustic, tabulature in combination with various sounds and effects, and of course González's extraordinary voice.

I give you Black Refuge, from the omonymous EP since I believe that it's the best song on the specific collection.

Another ending on your story
Now I'll have to speak to you from a distance
Because I tend to forget my duty
when I get to close to your resistance
Say what you have to say
I know it isn't you anyway
Use all the colours that you want to
I'll use black

http://junip.net/

Enjoy//
Shilly