Sooty's 2011 Year In Review Countdownmania

[Soot and Stars]

O'Brother... O' my!! - I love the sound of these guys! And I certainly agree with the bloke at the end of the first song you posted, "f****** awesome"! What a fantastic track!! I'm not familar enough with Silverchair to hear that comparison but at certain points in these songs I was reminded strongly of both very early Muse and Radiohead, so they were bound to make an impression on me!

Just had a look for the album and EP on our UK CD sites and they all have diddly squat on this band The only thing on offer is at Amazon, a 'Garden Windows' download. I'll have to see if I can find a US site to ship a hard copy to me at a reasonable price.

They were hard for me to find as well Tray! I only have the EP from I-tunes and I was lucky that I was at the Independent music store the week that the Garden Window c.d. came out. They had like two copies and likely wouldn't have replenished them. Honestly I had been asking for help finding that band for a couple months and they had no clue. I would do some scouring now. I know that DVD | Blu ray DVDs | CDs | Books | Free Shipping on Orders Over $15 at DeepDiscount.com is another good site for getting cheap albums and some harder to find ones sometimes.

 

[Soot and Stars]

Plenty of thread to listen through for some tunes I might find myself liking. Gonna dare myself to step out of the comfort zone.

Awesome dude! I think you'd like the O'brother band as well! Others to try are While Heaven Wept and Open Hand if you haven't already!

 

[Riff Raff]

Listening to Open Hand Hard Night. Gotta say I enjoy this song. A band Ill definitely check out further.
While Heaven Wept is up next for listening. Cheers man.

 

[Soot and Stars]

Listening to Open Hand Hard Night. Gotta say I enjoy this song. A band Ill definitely check out further.
While Heaven Wept is up next for listening. Cheers man.

Nice! Keep me updated!

 

[Tray73]

They were hard for me to find as well Tray! I only have the EP from I-tunes and I was lucky that I was at the Independent music store the week that the Garden Window c.d. came out. They had like two copies and likely wouldn't have replenished them. Honestly I had been asking for help finding that band for a couple months and they had no clue. I would do some scouring now. I know that DVD | Blu ray DVDs | CDs | Books | Free Shipping on Orders Over $15 at DeepDiscount.com is another good site for getting cheap albums and some harder to find ones sometimes.

Well I don't know why but doing a search on Amazon again brought up some results this time (a bit bizarre because I swear they weren't there this morning!)and I've managed to order the album Added bonus is that it's a UK-based Amazon Marketplace seller & I've got it for £10 less than what Amazon are selling it for I'm going to download the EP since it seems nigh on impossible to pick up a physical copy.

 

[Cosmic Harmony]

Well thank you for looking at it at all Cosmic. Believe it not my thread design has taken after yours in a lot of ways so I wouldn't be calling anything you post shabby at all.

Cosmic, by the MC definition:

MC

Short for master of ceremonies or mic controller. Essentially a word for a rapper but the term is not limited to hip hop. Drum and Bass, Garage, Happy Hardcore, Ragga and old school rave all feature MCs, however with these genres, the MC generally MCs live while a DJ mixes the tunes, whereas hip hop MCs mainly do so on record.

I think Childish Gambino on my list matches that. He's just as good live as he is in the studio and has a unique character and presence. His humor is of the I don't give a **** (not in a racy way though he is that too) variety and has a casual naturalness to it. One of the most genuine rappers out IMO. Really see his personality in his music.

Mmmkay so my thread was the base for design but you just did it better than I did, gotcha.

I do know the technical definition of an MC but the gist of what I was saying is that rappers from back in the day (who aren't in the game anymore) are very different from rappers of today. The whole style has changed and I don't like it as much. I did enjoy Childish Gambino more than any of the other rap songs on your list. I thought a lot of his rhymes were really clever (like the one about his penis never forgetting. ) and the humor in his lyrics reminded me a lot of same kind of humor you can find in Eminem or The Beastie Boys' songs.

 

[Soot and Stars]

#13
Tori Amos-Night of Hunters

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That is not my blood on the bedroom floor
That is not the glass that I threw before

He gets his power from tide and wave
The grains of sand are my domain
His tempest surged and angry flesh
And through my arms formed a sea of glass

Shattering Sea
Closing my eyes
(Repeat 2x)

Every line
Every curve
Every twist
Every turn
Of every brutal word

Every turn (every line)
Every line (every curve)
Every twist (every turn)
Every curve
Of every brutal word

That is not my blood on the bedroom floor
That is not the glass that I threw before



I know many may be surprised to see a Tori album not crack my top ten but let it be known that is no slight against this album. If I have one qualm about this album it's that it's pace is slower than I'd prefer it be but it's understandable considering this is more of a classical based album. Having said that the classical melodies made for some great instrumentation and the opening track "Shattering Sea" definitely captured them with the most energy and dramatic appeal. I love it from the beginning because it really sets you into the mood of something happening musically and lyrically. This album to me was closer to Scarlets Walk era Tori than anything which is fine because I liked that era. This track is one I could listen to just instrumentally as much as the studio version. Very intense orchestrated drama by the Queen of just that!


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Tori:
Out there are hunters

Anabelle:
Let's say predators

Tori:
I have weapons
That could destroy them

Anabelle:
You must out-create
It's the only way
I am the hunter
And the hunted
Joined together

Tori:
You create duality

Anabelle:
And neutrality
I must leave you
With the Fire muse
Show her the riddle
It is serious
If you lose
Out there

Tori:
I'll be the hare

Anabelle:
Then I'm the greyhound
Chasing after you

Tori:
Then I will change my frequency
To a fish that thinks

Anabelle:
Then you will find yourself
In the paws
Of the otter
Near her jaws

Tori:
Then I'll grow my wings
As a flying thing

Anabelle:
Flying thing, you be warned
I'm the falcon

Tori:
Watch me change
Into a grain of corn

Anabelle:
A grain of corn
Hear the alarm
In your head
I'm the hen
Black and red
And you're in my barn
They would have won
Use your head or you'll be dead


As is known to all Tori fans who bought this album one of the major standouts is that Tori shared vocals and even gave songs to her daughter to sing on the album. This was a really cool unique aspect of the album. The daughter definitely hasn't fallen far from the tree vocally but she does has a different quality to her voice than Tori. Musically this reminds me of a melody that could've been used on "Under The Pink" alongside "Icicle" and "Yes Anastacia". This to me was the most throwback track to her early years. Vocally that's not the case as this isn't the young sweeter voiced Tori of that era but the wiser sage Tori. It's a cool fusion of both worlds. I love the vocals as they are steady, smoky and both are sageful delivers of wisdom and allegories. I love the drawn out phrasing and when they harmonize for just that short period it's a sweet magical moment. When Tori retires I will definitely follow her daughter as I think she's got "it".


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Rose so red
This Night of Hunters
Find love instead of their
Blood by your thorn

Rose so red
This Night of Hunters
Find love instead of their
Blood by my thorn

Dark forces are out there gathering
Dark forces are out there gathering
Some hunt for power
Others to invade children's dreams
Some hunt for power
Others to invade children's dreams

They must pay this Night of Hunter
Find love instead of their
Blood by your thorn
Find love instead of their
Blood by my thorn

Holy Father, why not ask forgiveness
From the land
Spirit to spirit
End this suffering
Spirit to spirit
Soul to soul
They stole the dreams
Of the children
By distorting what love means

Watching over
Keeping watch
Watching over
Keeping watch
Watching over
Keeping watch over children's dreams
The ancient Seven Sisters above

Tuning the frequency
Keeping watch
Watching over
Keeping watch over children's dreams
The ancient Seven Sisters above

Changing the frequency
Watching over
Keeping watch
Watching over
Watching over
Keeping watch over children's dreams
The ancient Seven Sisters above

Tuning the frequency
Keeping watch
Watching over
Keeping watch
Holy Father, you ask forgiveness
From the land
Sacred Mother, you are released
From your chains

Spirit to Spirit
The children's dreams
Must now be reclaimed

Spirit to Spirit
Changing the frequency
Spirit to Spirit
Soul to Soul


The title track is Tori at her most elegant here and reminds me of a sweeter Tori of yore. Tori has been very rough around the edges vocally as comes with age but she soars vocally here. I love the vocals a lot and she hits some notes here that give me goosebumps and the instrumentation here gets better as the song progresses. This is the most classic sounding Tori here!
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[Cosmic Harmony]

I've not listened to much of Tori since "Scarlet's Walk" but I did enjoy "Night of Hunters" in particular. It's actually very churchy sounding to my ear.

 

[Soot and Stars]

I've not listened to much of Tori since "Scarlet's Walk" but I did enjoy "Night of Hunters" in particular. It's actually very churchy sounding to my ear.

You are right Cosmic! It is! It's unbelievable how she seems to evolve into something different on each album. I think she may have been her churchiest on "The Beekeeper' album but that was more of a gospel style. Tori has always woven church into her musical mythos. This classical style of church I can picture being in one of those movies about witchtrials which I'm surprised Tori hasn't tackled directly as she's all about femininity's place in religion. The fact that woman were burned by Christians seems ripe for a Tori album. Maybe she should do that on the next and go full out rock like she did with "From The Choirgirl Hotel"!

 

[Soot and Stars]

#12
James Durbin-Memories of a Beautiful Disaster

Right Behind You


Something so familiar
It's like I met you somewhere before, before
I can finish your sentence
I can feel you behind the door, the door
Turn off the headlights
I'll do the pedals and you can steer
Into the darkness
Trust me there's nothing to fear, to fear

Close your eyes
Fall backwards
I won't let you die
I'll be right behind you
Close your eyes
Just let yourself go
I won't let you die
I'll be right behind you

You don't have to say it
It's like I know when you're gonna call, and you call
I was unconscious
I could see that you were not far, not far
You can kill the headlights
I'll do the pedals and you can steer
Into the darkness
Trust me there's nothing to fear, to fear

Close your eyes
Fall backwards
I won't let you die
I'll be right behind you
Close your eyes
Just let yourself go
I won't let you die
I'll be right behind you

You gotta trust me
You gotta trust me
Do ya trust me?
Do ya trust me?

Close your eyes
Fall backwards
I won't let you die
I'll be right behind you
Close your eyes
Fall backwards
I won't let you die
I'll be right behind you

I won't let you die
I'll be right behind you



It may not shock to many that I have an Idol alumni on my list but it may surprise some how far up my list this one is. Honestly I wasn't really blown away by this guy "on" the show but to be fair I didn't watch past the point where the finalist were picked. I thought his range was great but felt when he was doing the covers he was just using that in a gimmicky way. I bought the album on Black Friday because it was a great price at 7 bucks and figured it was worth a risk. I was amazed with what I found. Being in the studio doing originals and working with great guidance with we actually have a well constructed album inspired by 80's metal/hard rock that doesn't sound contrived. James uses his great range but does it to fit the song. Now there were song great songwriters on here but this song in particular was a Durbin creation and shows what a great songwriter he is. Pumpkin fans should love this right from the intro as it definitely sounds like something reminiscent of "Disarm" or "Tonight, Tonight". This song is made to be an inspirational call to arms and was actually used as as song for the troops and I can hear why. The marching drum beat and SP riff aimed with James confident vocal make for the best buddy anthem of the year!


Higher Than Heaven


What was love?
Something that I just dreamed of
Somewhere in the corner of my heart
Rippin' and tearin' me apart
Oh, I was numb and had my demons
I lost hope, you gave me reason

Angels save me
God forgave me
But you alone take me higher than heaven
I don't need mercy, nothing can hurt me
As long as you're with me, I'm higher than heaven
Goin' insane
I was on a one-way train
Surrounded by my so-called friends
But this ain't where the story ends
Or where it begins
I was numb and had my demons
I gave up, but you believed

Angels save me
God forgave me
But you alone take me higher than heaven
I don't need mercy, nothing can hurt me
As long as you're with me, I'm higher than heaven
[X3]


With help from two great songwriters Marti Frederikson (huge list of rock acts) and James Micheal (Sixx AM) this song couldn't have gone wrong. This definitely has James stamp on it and could've easily been placed on the Sixx AM album. I guarantee with this riff, attitude, James perfect vocal, awesome chorus and all out great rock sound that you could play this for many rockers and they would dig it as long as you withheld the details! I'm not saying this'll bring back or is 80's rock but it definitely pays tribute to it with a great enthusiasm and does it justice! I can see this getting stuck in many a rockers head.


May



May and I were two children just swimming in a pool,
We'd ride on rocket swing sets and we'd try to touch the moon.
And I will never forget the first time she touched my hand,
I knew this could be the one who would me an honest man.
She was like the way she was, she was like the way she was.

Now we got older faster than we ever could have seen,
And lots went down on graduation and on a wedding ring.
We bought our first house and had a baby on the way,
But during birth I got my daughter, but Jesus took away my May.

And I didn't know how to say what I felt, no I didn't know how to say what it felt like.
She was just like she was, when you looked into her eyes you'd come undone
She was just like she was, she could love you on your worst day,
Didn't care about the mistakes, she was like she was.

Now baby girls love daddy most, but they need a mothers care,
I tried my best to raise her right, I just couldn't braid her hair.

One day she got old enough to have her wedding day,
But as I walked her down the aisle all I could see was my May.

I didn't know how to say what I felt, no I didn't know how to say what it felt like.
She was just like she was, when you looked into her eyes you'd see the sun.
She was just like she was, she could love you on your worst day,
Didn't care about the mistakes, she was like she was.

May, I hope you can see what I see
'Cuz, when they talk about our babe, girl,
I think of you and they say to me, "She was just like she was,
When I looked into her eyes I'd see the sun, she was just like she was,
She could love you on your worst days, doesn't care about the mistakes,
She was like she was."

She was just like she was, and when I looked into her eyes I'd come undone
She was just like she was, and I cannot feel my heart beat without this thought of her inside me,
She was like she was.


This is the main ballad of the album but it also serves as a great example of songwriting as James writes completely out of the context of his life and writes a fictional account of love, loss and a child who reminds him of the mother/wife they both lost. I think it's an amazing account of the talent James has to both write and sing this with the sincerity he does. I thought this was a true story until I read more about it. I'm not saying this is iconic songwriting like Springsteen, Mellencamp, Folds, etc. but it's a poignant piece for a debut from someone new to the industry and is still getting their legs. I think Durbin may have more potential than any Idol rocker yet and has more balance to his talents and writing (each song doesn't blend into the next, each song has it's own feel).
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