090911

What's It Called?

Boysetsfire - Rocketman

What's The Story?

Boysetsfire are a generally hardcore punk band from Delaware. (Did anyone else think nothing was hardcore in Delaware?)

If you're wondering, it is indeed an Elton John cover. It's from their 7" EP Suckerpunch Training from 2001. It originally surfaced in 1972 on Elton John's Honky Château.

Who's To Blame?

Dude gives me gamerscore envy.

Why ♥ It?

Although this is a cover by a hardcore punk band, I want to differentiate it from the more well-known Me First & The Gimme Gimmes cover version. Whereas theirs picks up the pace of the song (which ruins the mood entirely in my mind), Boysetsfire keep the slow & introspective style intact for great results.

The guitar tone they use during those slow sections (the intro, for example) is absolutely to die for. It's just raw enough to give those sections an added emotion. This tone turns bright, tight and polished for the more upbeat sections, which fits that mold ideally as well.

Nathan Gray's honest and effortless vocals aren't much like Elton John, but they don't disrespect his legacy either. The background vocals on the chorus would often be out of place in this genre, but are allowed because it's fucking Rocketman, in case you hadn't noticed.

Some will still call a punk cover of this song blasphemy, but it's a novel take on a great tune that isn't afraid to be different while still respecting the song we all know and love.

090811

What's It Called?

Ailsean - Uematsu-San Just Wanna Have Fun (From his website)

What's The Story?

Sean Stone (AKA Ailsean) is a guitarist who lays out some neat remixes & covers of old video game music tracks. Somewhere between most and all of his music is available for free on his site.

Who's To Blame?

Ever hear of Lubos Motl, the physicist/blogger?

Not him. But close.

Why ♥ It?

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.

The prelude from the Final Fantasy series.

These gel incredibly, and are neatly put together, with bubblegum synth and swanky guitar doing Cyndi justice while delay and distortion effected guitar bring Uematsu into the picture.

Really, this one is worth a listen on title & concept alone, but don't be surprised if it sneaks into your library. Did I mention it's free?

101210

What's It Called?

Foo Fighters - Baker Street

What's The Story?

The Foo Fighters are Dave Grohl's radio-rock-hit manufacturing band who will appeal to just about anyone besides your grandparents. The original Baker Street was performed by Gerry Rafferty (of Stealer's Wheel) in 1978. This version appears on the My Hero single as a B-side.

Who's To Blame?

A talented drummer who eschews meat.

Why ♥ It?

This song is a perfect intersection between 00s rock and 70s rock, as Dave Grohl often achieves in his endeavors. The sincere verses are left mostly untouched in the cover, while the timeless saxophone lines and solo are replaced with with an effect-filled guitar. The further the track progresses, the more hard rock thrashing liberties the Foos take with the tune, and the result is a positive vibe that's worth a headbang or two.

092810

What's It Called?

Muse - Thoughts of A Dying Atheist

What's The Story?

Muse are perhaps the biggest thing in England since sliced bread (which wasn't invented until after The Beatles, so I'm not blaspheming here). Thoughts of A Dying Atheist is one of the lesser-hyped tunes from their third album, Absolution.

Who's To Blame?

A beer brewer/musician. A brewsician!

Why ♥ It?

Upon first hearing this song years ago, I always thought it would be a good joke track with the vocal just saying something to the effect of "aw, shit". Whether this is actually funny or not, I am glad to report that Muse had much bigger intent for this track.

I try not to harp too much on things like titles and lyrics, because those are by design usually meant to take a backseat to the song proper. That's all well and dandy, but this song gets at least 4.7 times better when the title is kept in mind while listening--whether an atheist or not, it's not hard to imagine the ultimate of uncertainty, and Muse conveys this wonderfully through lyrics and effects in addition to music.

Par exemple, the constant notes on lead guitar in the verse are pensive and chaotic at once. The bass is foreboding while keeping the track moving. The background vocal/synth in the chorus under the powerful vocals of singer Matt Bellamy is a downright creepy one-two punch. The breakdown/solo starting at 2:05 could easily play during a car wreck or a death bed scene alike, over a montage of a life flashing before the eyes.

Thoughts of A Dying Atheist is a pretty abstract thought. All of the musical facets cooperate in almost-disturbing unison to bring that from the realm of the theoretical to make it feel real for 3:11. Needless to say, this tune is an experience.

092710

What's It Called?

Kaiser Chiefs - The Angry Mob

What's The Story?

Kaiser Chiefs are a British indie rock band who have achieved chart-topping success overseas with Ruby, a song you have almost definitely heard. That's track one on their album Yours Truly, Angry Mob; this is track two.

Who's To Blame?

One half of the robot-minion duo from Reboot.

Why ♥ It?

This song sounds like England to me, but I've never been there. Pick the bones out of that.

The structure is great; verse-bridge-verse-bridge-chorus & etc., with a nice variation for the outro that's worth the two minutes if just for the tambourine.

The lyrics sound like an angry mob; the music sounds like a reasonably funloving mob.

The bass in the bridge (0:46 for an example) is a figment of the disco-inspired kick I've found myself mired in lately, while the keys in the chorus (1:33 for an example) drive pleasantly like something either classical or modern, but not in between.

In 20 years, the Chiefs will probably (& unfortunately) be remembered as a one-trick pony, but this song alone illustrates a library of them.

080110

What's It Called?

Dispatch - The General

What's The Story?

This song has been frequently mislabeled on P2P networks as Jack Johnson or one of his clones. The General is from the second of three Dispatch studio albums, Bang Bang. If you've heard a Dispatch song, it's probably this one.

Who's To Blame?

A girl who once fell for the "I lost my number, can I have yours?" line.

Why ♥ It?

Emotional and casual at the same time. The lyrics are so very reflective, and the vocal line is delivered like a story; something that music doesn't do enough these days.

The music itself sounds like beach reggae. Dispatch are generally (HAR HAR) known for their ska stylings, but this tune takes that and slows it down. What results is a version of "that meaningful, heartfelt song" that almost every band has one or two of. Listening to the studio track of the guitar, it even sounds like a version of the tune that you'd hear around a campfire on a beach; the partially muted barre chords and random stylish funky sounds from the guitar are all part of the easygoing charm of the song.

Take this casual aura with the storytelling vocals, and it's no wonder this song is such an indie hit with teens and twenty-somethings. We live for taking it easy and telling stories about it.

072510

What's It Called?

Sloan - Everything You've Done Wrong

What's The Story?

Sloan are a Canadian rock band with a strong fanbase and an extensive discography. This track charted well in Canada in the late 90's, but was virtually unheard of in the US. It's from their third studio album, One Chord To Another.

Who's To Blame?

A music festival dedicated to determined fish.

Why ♥ It?

This song is an intersection of a hum-all-day hook and a 90's pop-rock staple. To give an idea, the horn part is often just left to the crowd to sing when they play the song live, and for good reason. It's by far the most memorable part of the tune.

Aside the killer hook, the song is an upbeat feel-good number. The guitar strums chords that are every bit as lighthearted as Weezer's Island In The Sun. Although they don't actually sound anything like that song, they share a common life's-alright-fellas vibe. Also, the lead electric guitar parts that typically follow the chorus echo some of the more memorable standards of pop-rock in the 90's, and fits into that canon admirably.

Oh, and the lyrics are neat, too; supporting the positive feeling that emanates from the instruments.

All in all, although this song may fall prey to being typical of a decade's sound, it's one of the better-sounding and lesser-known offerings from an era of radio rock that--let's be honest--wasn't all that bad.