Sooty's 2011 Year In Review Countdownmania

[Soot and Stars]

Well as I've said (I think in my countdown) there is a sameness to all of Charles' songs but I did feel "Heartaches and Pain" more than most of the songs on that album, especially knowing the truthfulness behind it. In that live performance I could feel and see how much it meant to him. More than in the studio though he sounded like he was shouting more than actually singing. That's the only drawback I'd say but the emotional fortitude of it balance that out I think.

Cool! Well said Cosmic! There's a reason I go to you for specifics! I did read a cool youtube comment that relates to the shouting part. It said that a lot of these music artist should go check out a soul artist like Charles in order to learn how to scream the right way!

 

[Soot and Stars]

#46
Bush-All Night Doctors

she saw the pieces of her yesterday
she was wondering how she’d fade away
who loved her and really listened in
whether she had made a difference
he’s a soldier (he’s a soldier) of misfortune
seven steps to make one forward
how the truth hurts
the lies they crystallize

try to wrap your arms around a memory
maybe you are not where you’re meant to be
lord knows we’re not who we think we are
all night doctors
all night preachers
all night girls to get you through (get you through, get you through)

lost and wasted
hope is fading
i wait here for you

the secret life of our interiors
whey most girls are superior
everyday i’m on the slide for you and
every night is the same i’m waiting
for the world to change
for all the fighting (for all the fighting) to die away
find comfort in your memory
i’m not where i am meant to be
you shine the world stops
and gods are humbled
all night doctors
all night preachers
all night girls to get you through (get you through, get you through)

lost and wasted
hope is fading
i wait here for you (for you, for you)

were you ever my love
were you ever my love
i don’t know (i don’t know, i don’t know)
(i sense)

all night doctors
(were you ever my love)
all night preachers
(were you ever my love)
all night girls to get you through (get you through, get you through)

lost and wasted
(were you ever my love)
hope is fading
(were you ever my love)
i wait here for you (for you, for you)

were you ever my love
were you ever my love
i don’t know

Bush had a good comeback album this year and does what a great comeback album does which is make you forget they ever left. It definitely will help you forget Rossdales solo album. There are a lot of great rockers here and the vibe carries on the sound they had on "Golden State" which was my favorite Bush album after the classic 16Stone so it worked. The track I picked was Bushes "Glycerine" of the 21st century. It's an exception of the album as the rest of the album is filled with great rockers. I have to say that one thing I've noticed is Bush have become better writers as they one of the biggest nonsense writers lyrically and on this album things made sense. No more "Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow"! This makes it on my list for not only being beautiful but finally being a Bush song I can relate too.

Bonus Countdown: Top 10 Albums That I Missed This Year

#2
Jack's Mannequin-People and Things



This is the biggest surprise for an album for me not to purchase. I LOVE Andrew McMahon and his work. The guy wrote my second favorite song ever. He's in for life. I've bought everything Something Corporate and I bought the first two albums by his modern alter ego Jack's mannequin. Jack's Mannequin is a more personal project that he's written concerning his background including love letters to California and his struggle with leukemia. This third album was actually supposed to wrap up the themes carried on through the first two album. Critics called it their best. I always had this on my too buy list but for one reason or another it slipped through my 2011 radar somehow.

#1
Florence and the Machine-Ceremonials

I have this album and I LOVE it! Way better than the original! I just got it too late after making my list! It definitely would have made it otherwise. The hype around it is mostly right. It's great but some of the comments are ridiculous. My biggest example is in the liner notes of the album where the guy treats the album like the second coming of Christ! Anyway, late or not I've listened to it at least once a night since I've gotten it and it just goes to show the ridiculous talent boiling over nowadays that a great album like this could miss a top 55 list! ​

 

[Cosmic Harmony]

Cool! Well said Cosmic! There's a reason I go to you for specifics! I did read a cool youtube comment that relates to the shouting part. It said that a lot of these music artist should go check out a soul artist like Charles in order to learn how to scream the right way!

I'd agree. Most modern artists in particular try to push themselves without really having the voice to do it. They could learn a thing or two from Charles for sure.

#1
Florence and the Machine-Ceremonials

I have this album and I LOVE it! Way better than the original! I just got it too late after making my list! It definitely would have made it otherwise. The hype around it is mostly right. It's great but some of the comments are ridiculous. My biggest example is in the liner notes of the album where the guy treats the album like the second coming of Christ! Anyway, late or not I've listened to it at least once a night since I've gotten it and it just goes to show the ridiculous talent boiling over nowadays that a great album like this could miss a top 55 list!

Here here.

 

[RobQuise]

You have some awesome songs and albums on here so far. Can't wait to read about the rest of them. You should definitely check out the Staind album. It was one of my favorites from the past year!!

 

[Soot and Stars]

You have some awesome songs and albums on here so far. Can't wait to read about the rest of them. You should definitely check out the Staind album. It was one of my favorites from the past year!!

Thanks Rob! Like I said, next shopping trip we go on I'll pick it up! Thanks for your annual post bud!

 

[Soot and Stars]

#45
Evanescence-The Change



Thought that I was strong
I know the words I need to say
Frozen in my place
I let the moment slip away

I've been screaming on the inside
And I know you feel the pain
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
Aaa aaa aaa [repeats]

Say it's over,
Yes it's over
But I need you anyway
Say you love me but it's not enough

Never meant to lie
But I'm not the girl you think you know
The more that I am with you
The more that I am all alone

I've been screaming on the inside
And I know you feel the pain
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
Aaa aaa aaa [repeats]

Say it's over,
Yes it's over
But I need you anyway
Say you love me but it's not enough

Not that I'm so different
Not that I don't see
The dying light of what we used to be
But how could I forgive you?
You've changed!
And I'm a liar by your side
I'm about to lose my mind

'Cause I've been screaming on the inside
And I know you feel the pain
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
Aaa aaa aaa [repeats]

You've been dreaming
If you're thinking
That I still belong to you
And I've been dying,
Because I'm lying to myself!
Aaa aaa aaa [repeats]

Say it's over,
Yes it's over
But I need you anyway
Say you love me but it's not enough


The new Evanescence album was a solid album but honestly they haven't had that something special quality since the debut IMO and I attribute that to losing the balance in songwriting that Ben Moody brought. This is a very palatable nice listening experience but only a couple songs catch me on their own accord here. There's a lot of nice parts and melodies in many of the songs. I just wanted more. For some reason this song really stands out on the album for me. It's a great melody that has the best vocal on the album IMO. It goes from brooding to a great emotional rock outburst. The riff is basic but drives the song. As simple of a pop song as this is the elements are perfect and it's a song that doesn't need more to make an impact. I don't see this not embedded in one's head.

Bonus Countdown: Top 5 So Bad They're Good Songs of 2011

These were the artist big and small that produced music so bad or so out there it amuses me to no end that it was created and put out there with no intended irony. Instead of getting on my nerves or driving me crazy I loved these songs and videos as they provided me with many laughs and amusement.

#5
T Baby-So Cold In The D



My friend saw this on Beavis and Butthead! This alone makes me want to watch the new Beavis Butthead because they may be the new viral diggers for gems like this. You'd think this song full of lady thugs singing to their fallen homies provides and life in tha D would have some emotion. I could get over the fact that the singer doesn't keep time or carry a tune but at least sing like you aren't near fatal detox on sizzurp. Plus, why are the others dancing and smiling like Black Eyed Peas paid the hood a visit or that the song actually has a beat that any can move too unless they are a mummy. The girl in the Jean top can't seem to find anything to do rather than the same movement and can't keep her hands still. It seems at the 3:40 mark the orange sista is sick of her and swats her hands down. I haven't seen green screen effects and fades this brilliant (1:22) since Marc Gormley (look him up ). Anyway, a group of my friends watched this a bunch of times and found it very entertaining. I hope it gets warmer in the D seeing as they may have to actually where winter jackets or experience snow! ​

 

[Soot and Stars]

#44
Charles Bradley-Heartache and Pain

There's been times in my life
When the road was so cold
Can't find a friend
Anywhere, at all

So my brother came to me
Charles, you got to stand tall
because life, is full of sorrow

Heartaches and pain
Again and again

I woke up this morning
My Momma, she was crying
So I looked out my window
The police lights were flashing

So I ran down to the street
A friend grabbed my shoulder
and said these words to me
Life is full of sorrow

So I have to tell you this
Your brother is gone

Heartaches
Heartaches and pain

This song is amazing, authentic, moving, sad and the closest to real soul music this generation has ever gotten. It's been stuck in my head so much and grown on me that I switched it and moved it up 13 spots. The song was written about Charles brother after he was shot in the head and found lying dead in the streets before the families very eyes. Charles sings this like a true tribute everytime and you can hear the love and pain in every note. I have to get this album and it's a shame I haven't yet. This guy is something special and stands out a lot from everything else now.

Bonus Countdown: Top 5 So Bad They're Good Songs of 2011

#4
Alternate Reality-The King That Never Was



These guys are the Uwe Bolle of Symphonic metal. A band that somehow got a budget and unwittingly spent it to make a gloriously self unaware ball of cheese. I mean I really want these borderline porn style actors make the full movie for this because I would so buy it. The band itself isn't half bad but the vocalist may be the most over the top camp master there. I love how he accentuates the end of certain lines. That and his poses and facial expressions makes me laugh out loud everytime! ​

 

[Cosmic Harmony]

#5
T Baby-So Cold In The D



My friend saw this on Beavis and Butthead! This alone makes me want to watch the new Beavis Butthead because they may be the new viral diggers for gems like this. You'd think this song full of lady thugs singing to their fallen homies provides and life in tha D would have some emotion. I could get over the fact that the singer doesn't keep time or carry a tune but at least sing like you aren't near fatal detox on sizzurp. Plus, why are the others dancing and smiling like Black Eyed Peas paid the hood a visit or that the song actually has a beat that any can move too unless they are a mummy. The girl in the Jean top can't seem to find anything to do rather than the same movement and can't keep her hands still. It seems at the 3:40 mark the orange sista is sick of her and swats her hands down. I haven't seen green screen effects and fades this brilliant (1:22) since Marc Gormley (look him up ). Anyway, a group of my friends watched this a bunch of times and found it very entertaining. I hope it gets warmer in the D seeing as they may have to actually where winter jackets or experience snow! [/CENTER]

Oh god! It's been so long since I saw "So Cold In The D". Someone showed that to me like two years ago or something and I practically peed myself.

 

[AboutAGirl]

There's a song on my countdown I got off of the new Beavis & Butt-head. It's as good as it's ever been, so frickin' funny.

 

[METALPRIEST]

Still going through the thread and listening to stuff but letting you know that I'm finally here now.

Cool reminders for me on Christina Perri and Eisley.

I also have Angels & Airwaves 1 & 2. I did buy the one with the movie but had to go through Amazon and order it. You can still get it man.

I also have the new Blink 182 and Evanescence and really like both of them alot. Well back to listening.