Sooty's 2011 Year In Review Countdownmania
- Thread starter Soot and Stars
- Start date
Soot and Stars
I AM SOOT!
AAG, I'm glad you liked the "Immigrant Song" cover. It's cool how a cover can garner two different reactions and perhaps comes from two different listening backgrounds. So that one definitely did it's job rather than being so close to the original that it'd warrant a meh. 
As for Christina Perri I enjoyed the album as a whole but I'm looking forward to her followup as I think she can do better. She has a lot of potential. Honestly though I'm not in love with the Twilight single she has out though.
Fever, the Daughtry pick came from me having it for a really cheap price and at first I didn't really get into it but my friend kept pushing me to give it a couple listens. The more I listened the more stuff stuck out and it was an improvement over the debut IMO. They've grown as a band and you can hear it. My friends favorite track was "Losing My Mind". What was yours?
As for Christina Perri I enjoyed the album as a whole but I'm looking forward to her followup as I think she can do better. She has a lot of potential. Honestly though I'm not in love with the Twilight single she has out though.
Fever, the Daughtry pick came from me having it for a really cheap price and at first I didn't really get into it but my friend kept pushing me to give it a couple listens. The more I listened the more stuff stuck out and it was an improvement over the debut IMO. They've grown as a band and you can hear it. My friends favorite track was "Losing My Mind". What was yours?
Soot and Stars
I AM SOOT!
#55
Alesana-A Gilded Masquerade
As the water drips from the sky,
I start to wonder if I’m still alive
Then I have to find the answer.
Could it be that it was a dream,
And I’m still beside her?
Right before my eyes
as such, a big surprise
The water stops.
Wickedness will rain,
And drown us in her sorrow.
(Sorrow and her thirst)
If I hope to survive,
I must think faster.
I’m losing ground.
(I’m losing ground)
Bridge:
Should I pull back her veil?
You had the best of me.
(The best of me)
All that glitters is not gold.
Chorus:
I may be wrong but your brilliance is my darkness.
You had me convinced.
(You had me convinced)
That together we could fly.
Until I started scratching at the surface.
(And I saw beyond your masquerade!!)
Your body is an illness.
Temples crashing down all around me
Panic
(Heading towards her strings)
The golden city falls,
And with it our lives go up in flames
(Go up in flames)
Should I pull back her veil?
You had the best of me.
(now taste the worst)
All that glitters is not gold.
I may be wrong but your brilliance is my darkness.
You had me convinced.
(You had me convinced)
That together we could fly.
Until I started scratching at the surface.
(And I saw beyond your masquerade!)
Your body is an illness.
All shall be made clear.
We've been watching you, wanderer.
My blood runs cold.
There's no need to run farther.
I fear I know the truth.
I tear back the cowl! And stare into my own eyes!
(Come into our arms, brother.)
Now we can be one forever.
Who are you, who are you, who are you?
Yeah!
Hey! x8
Hey! x8
I pull back the veil.
You had the best of me.
(now taste the worst)
All that glitters is not gold.
Chorus:
I may be wrong but your brilliance is my darkness.
You had me convinced.
(You had me convinced)
That together we could fly.
Until I started scratching at the surface.
(And I saw beyond your masquerade!)
Your body is an illness.
I may never be the same again.
(I may never be the same again..)
This will be my only song on my countdown with death growls on it. I loved the ballads on Alesanas prior release but didn't like the abundance of screaming. I previewed this song in particular and got a good recommendation from member Prime that the album was more my style. He was write. The music became more epic and majestic and the screams while still there were melded into the music better. The main singer actually has a decent voice and the female touches are nice as well. When it speeds up the music reminds me of a group I really got into, Monty Are I. The screams are kind of cool hear as they are more musical and this is a cool pop song. I love the shouting and evil carnival music at the last third of the song!
Bonus Countdown: Top Ten Covers
#5
The Civil Wars-Disarm
The second act to cover a Pumpkins song also is my favorite discovery this year and the combination is made to be a match made in heaven for me. At first I wasn't sure what to think because it was such a different take. I liked it and thought the harmonies, which is the bread and butter of The Civil Wars was as usual beautiful. The more I hear this the more I absolutely love it. They took a song that I'm a MAJOR fanboy of and made their own without me feeling bitter. They reshaped it and sang it with such grace. The Pumpkins would be proud and I think this duo just can't do anything wrong at this point.
Alesana-A Gilded Masquerade
As the water drips from the sky,
I start to wonder if I’m still alive
Then I have to find the answer.
Could it be that it was a dream,
And I’m still beside her?
Right before my eyes
as such, a big surprise
The water stops.
Wickedness will rain,
And drown us in her sorrow.
(Sorrow and her thirst)
If I hope to survive,
I must think faster.
I’m losing ground.
(I’m losing ground)
Bridge:
Should I pull back her veil?
You had the best of me.
(The best of me)
All that glitters is not gold.
Chorus:
I may be wrong but your brilliance is my darkness.
You had me convinced.
(You had me convinced)
That together we could fly.
Until I started scratching at the surface.
(And I saw beyond your masquerade!!)
Your body is an illness.
Temples crashing down all around me
Panic
(Heading towards her strings)
The golden city falls,
And with it our lives go up in flames
(Go up in flames)
Should I pull back her veil?
You had the best of me.
(now taste the worst)
All that glitters is not gold.
I may be wrong but your brilliance is my darkness.
You had me convinced.
(You had me convinced)
That together we could fly.
Until I started scratching at the surface.
(And I saw beyond your masquerade!)
Your body is an illness.
All shall be made clear.
We've been watching you, wanderer.
My blood runs cold.
There's no need to run farther.
I fear I know the truth.
I tear back the cowl! And stare into my own eyes!
(Come into our arms, brother.)
Now we can be one forever.
Who are you, who are you, who are you?
Yeah!
Hey! x8
Hey! x8
I pull back the veil.
You had the best of me.
(now taste the worst)
All that glitters is not gold.
Chorus:
I may be wrong but your brilliance is my darkness.
You had me convinced.
(You had me convinced)
That together we could fly.
Until I started scratching at the surface.
(And I saw beyond your masquerade!)
Your body is an illness.
I may never be the same again.
(I may never be the same again..)
This will be my only song on my countdown with death growls on it. I loved the ballads on Alesanas prior release but didn't like the abundance of screaming. I previewed this song in particular and got a good recommendation from member Prime that the album was more my style. He was write. The music became more epic and majestic and the screams while still there were melded into the music better. The main singer actually has a decent voice and the female touches are nice as well. When it speeds up the music reminds me of a group I really got into, Monty Are I. The screams are kind of cool hear as they are more musical and this is a cool pop song. I love the shouting and evil carnival music at the last third of the song!
Bonus Countdown: Top Ten Covers
#5
The Civil Wars-Disarm
The second act to cover a Pumpkins song also is my favorite discovery this year and the combination is made to be a match made in heaven for me. At first I wasn't sure what to think because it was such a different take. I liked it and thought the harmonies, which is the bread and butter of The Civil Wars was as usual beautiful. The more I hear this the more I absolutely love it. They took a song that I'm a MAJOR fanboy of and made their own without me feeling bitter. They reshaped it and sang it with such grace. The Pumpkins would be proud and I think this duo just can't do anything wrong at this point.
ILoveJimmyPage
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2011
- Posts
- 11,206
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- 16
You already know where I stand on the Immigrant Song cover but I have to say Sootsiekins I am really enjoying the majority of these covers. My thoughts:
I agree with your sentiments on John Lennon, but then again I'm one of the few people on this earth who never really got the Beatles or anything associated with them. I've always thought Imagine was as boring as watching paint dry and one of the most overpraised songs ever (though I get the overall message of the song and John's legacy I just never could get into it... sorry). However, I do think Cornell adds a little more life to an otherwise boring, tired and dull song. I give it a 6/10.
I absolutely dig this one. I love 80's electronic bands and absolutely adore DM and this is one of the best covers I've heard of them. This one reminds me of what Miser did with the Cranberries' "Zombie" (one of my most favorite covers ever) adding modern day hard rock to a less exciting original and totally overshadowing that original IMO. DM can be a little dreary-sounding at times with Dave Gahan's vocal style so it was nice to hear this song a little more uptempo and exciting. Now I recall the Anberlin version you recommended to me.
I like how this one stays pretty true to the music of the original then kicks it up a notch on the main chorus. I bet even MP the Toto freak would approve (if he ever takes a gander at your thread)
I agree with your sentiments on John Lennon, but then again I'm one of the few people on this earth who never really got the Beatles or anything associated with them. I've always thought Imagine was as boring as watching paint dry and one of the most overpraised songs ever (though I get the overall message of the song and John's legacy I just never could get into it... sorry). However, I do think Cornell adds a little more life to an otherwise boring, tired and dull song. I give it a 6/10.
I absolutely dig this one. I love 80's electronic bands and absolutely adore DM and this is one of the best covers I've heard of them. This one reminds me of what Miser did with the Cranberries' "Zombie" (one of my most favorite covers ever) adding modern day hard rock to a less exciting original and totally overshadowing that original IMO. DM can be a little dreary-sounding at times with Dave Gahan's vocal style so it was nice to hear this song a little more uptempo and exciting. Now I recall the Anberlin version you recommended to me.
I like how this one stays pretty true to the music of the original then kicks it up a notch on the main chorus. I bet even MP the Toto freak would approve (if he ever takes a gander at your thread
)
Soot and Stars
I AM SOOT!
#54
Eisley-Ambulance
I need an ambulance.
I took, I took the worst of the blow.
send me a redeemer.
let me know if I'm gonna be alright.
am I gonna be alright?
'cause I know how it usually goes.
I know how it usually goes.
I built a monument
for the love we used to know.
but that is far removed,
and you say that i'm gonna be okay.
and yeah, I'm gonna be okay.
but it doesn't seem that way.
no love, not today.
'cause I was told to get out
told to leave
told i have my things in the parking lot.
no no no no no no no no no, baby
yeah, just send me that ambulance
oh, just send me that ambulance.
oh woah, ohohoh, no oh [x2]
thought you were made for me
and we shared our history
and in time you'll tear your eyes far away.
like a rubbernecker's gaze
is it really safe to say
that we're just made that way,
made to brave the pain?
'cause I was told to get out
told to leave
told I have my things in the parking lot.
no no no no no no no no no, baby
yeah, just send me that ambulance
oh, yeah, just send me that ambulance.
oh woah, ohohoh, no oh [x2]
I need an ambulance.
I took, I took the worst of the blow.
send me a redeemer.
let me know if I'm gonna be alright.
am I gonna be alright?
'cause I know how it usually goes.
I know how it usually goes.
Eisley is a group that keeps changing with each album and they've changed what I originally loved about them since their debut. To me they started out like a darker alternative rock version of The Corrs and the harmonies were great but on the new album they seem to limit the vocals to one. The main vocalist is more than good enough and has a very sweet tone. I just miss the blend. The music is more straight forward but what's different is the songs have a little more bite now. I like that. You can see in the lyrics to the above that the songwriting is personal. I like the ambiguous story. This song is a dreary melodramatic tune but it's sung so sweet that it's a dreamy treat rather than a downer.
Bonus Countdown: Top Ten Covers
#4
Lissie-The Ship Song
Lissie released an EP of covers this hear many of which I'd heard the same time I discovered her. Those covers were part of her appeal at the time as she would rock out with more punch than most male artist covering Zeppelin, Metallica, etc. Then she would show her wide love for music by covering pop and hip-hop artist like Lady Gaga and even Kid Cudi. All those covers rocked!!! I consider many of those to be 2010 fair though as that's when I heard them. The EP came out this year though and had two new gems I hadn't heard. This song I picked was a cover of Nick Drake and it was the one cover of a song on the list that i'd never heard the original prior. That makes this song the most successful on the list IMO as that's what covers should do. Introduce or reintroduce people to the originals. The original is a beauty but I wouldn't have appreciated it without Lissie's amazing cover of it. This song gives me chills!
Eisley-Ambulance
I need an ambulance.
I took, I took the worst of the blow.
send me a redeemer.
let me know if I'm gonna be alright.
am I gonna be alright?
'cause I know how it usually goes.
I know how it usually goes.
I built a monument
for the love we used to know.
but that is far removed,
and you say that i'm gonna be okay.
and yeah, I'm gonna be okay.
but it doesn't seem that way.
no love, not today.
'cause I was told to get out
told to leave
told i have my things in the parking lot.
no no no no no no no no no, baby
yeah, just send me that ambulance
oh, just send me that ambulance.
oh woah, ohohoh, no oh [x2]
thought you were made for me
and we shared our history
and in time you'll tear your eyes far away.
like a rubbernecker's gaze
is it really safe to say
that we're just made that way,
made to brave the pain?
'cause I was told to get out
told to leave
told I have my things in the parking lot.
no no no no no no no no no, baby
yeah, just send me that ambulance
oh, yeah, just send me that ambulance.
oh woah, ohohoh, no oh [x2]
I need an ambulance.
I took, I took the worst of the blow.
send me a redeemer.
let me know if I'm gonna be alright.
am I gonna be alright?
'cause I know how it usually goes.
I know how it usually goes.
Eisley is a group that keeps changing with each album and they've changed what I originally loved about them since their debut. To me they started out like a darker alternative rock version of The Corrs and the harmonies were great but on the new album they seem to limit the vocals to one. The main vocalist is more than good enough and has a very sweet tone. I just miss the blend. The music is more straight forward but what's different is the songs have a little more bite now. I like that. You can see in the lyrics to the above that the songwriting is personal. I like the ambiguous story. This song is a dreary melodramatic tune but it's sung so sweet that it's a dreamy treat rather than a downer.
Bonus Countdown: Top Ten Covers
#4
Lissie-The Ship Song
Lissie released an EP of covers this hear many of which I'd heard the same time I discovered her. Those covers were part of her appeal at the time as she would rock out with more punch than most male artist covering Zeppelin, Metallica, etc. Then she would show her wide love for music by covering pop and hip-hop artist like Lady Gaga and even Kid Cudi. All those covers rocked!!! I consider many of those to be 2010 fair though as that's when I heard them. The EP came out this year though and had two new gems I hadn't heard. This song I picked was a cover of Nick Drake and it was the one cover of a song on the list that i'd never heard the original prior. That makes this song the most successful on the list IMO as that's what covers should do. Introduce or reintroduce people to the originals. The original is a beauty but I wouldn't have appreciated it without Lissie's amazing cover of it. This song gives me chills!
Soot and Stars
I AM SOOT!
#53
Seether-Forsaken
Now I'll take the blame
So forget my name
Just close the blinds so I can calm down
I'm naked and shamed
A moth to the flame
Just take my hand so we can both drown
[Chorus]
I'll never believe in you again
I'll never forgive those things you said
My only relief is gone and dead
I'll never forsake myself again.
The same sweet game
Your halo is aflame
Feel my heart race
and breathe a sad sigh
Let me wash away
And let go of the pain
Just look away
And turn a blind eye
[x3]
So hold me down
If I feed I'm stronger
I don't feel no longer
[Chorus (x3)]
Seether is kind of like the Three Days Grace, Nickelback, Theory of a Deadman cannon of artist where the album is just full of crunchy rock with little change of tempo and songs start to bleed together. It's tasty for a while but like any sugar become blah after you crash. I haven't bought a Seether album since the reissued debut with "Broken" on it (as well as the live album) for this reason. Another cheap whimsical buy on Black Friday and I was happy. This is a step up for Seether and is a more more layered lush offering as the album title implies. It was between this song and the sweet ballad "Pass Slowly" but this one had a lot more going on and had a really nice piano intro and the usual guitar crunch comes in but it benefits by not standing alone. I love the vocal tone on this track and I think Seether has improved there. The chorus is typical but I love the energy and guitar/piano combo.
Bonus Countdown: Top Ten Covers
#3
Ryan Adams-Wasted Years
I love Ryan Adams. He's perhaps the most prolific folk artist of this generation and he covers songs with as much craft as he does with the originals he writes with such ease. He wrote "When The Stars Go Blue" which was covered by bigger artist such as Tim McGraw and the opposite was true as those artist didn't get what made the song work. Ryan gets it as evidenced by his cover of Oasis "Wonderwall" which actually added a melancholy emotion that improved the song for many listeners. Ryan covered "Down In A Hole" and got the pain that Layne brought to it. Ryan "got" it and made a great cover. This cover here is no exception. Ryan does the impossible. Make a great folk cover from a metal group. The guitar sounds awesome on acoustic here and Ryan gets inside the spirit of the original and draws an aura and story out of it. I love it and I have a hunch that even Maiden fans can dig this!
Seether-Forsaken
Now I'll take the blame
So forget my name
Just close the blinds so I can calm down
I'm naked and shamed
A moth to the flame
Just take my hand so we can both drown
[Chorus]
I'll never believe in you again
I'll never forgive those things you said
My only relief is gone and dead
I'll never forsake myself again.
The same sweet game
Your halo is aflame
Feel my heart race
and breathe a sad sigh
Let me wash away
And let go of the pain
Just look away
And turn a blind eye
[x3]
So hold me down
If I feed I'm stronger
I don't feel no longer
[Chorus (x3)]
Seether is kind of like the Three Days Grace, Nickelback, Theory of a Deadman cannon of artist where the album is just full of crunchy rock with little change of tempo and songs start to bleed together. It's tasty for a while but like any sugar become blah after you crash. I haven't bought a Seether album since the reissued debut with "Broken" on it (as well as the live album) for this reason. Another cheap whimsical buy on Black Friday and I was happy. This is a step up for Seether and is a more more layered lush offering as the album title implies. It was between this song and the sweet ballad "Pass Slowly" but this one had a lot more going on and had a really nice piano intro and the usual guitar crunch comes in but it benefits by not standing alone. I love the vocal tone on this track and I think Seether has improved there. The chorus is typical but I love the energy and guitar/piano combo.
Bonus Countdown: Top Ten Covers
#3
Ryan Adams-Wasted Years
I love Ryan Adams. He's perhaps the most prolific folk artist of this generation and he covers songs with as much craft as he does with the originals he writes with such ease. He wrote "When The Stars Go Blue" which was covered by bigger artist such as Tim McGraw and the opposite was true as those artist didn't get what made the song work. Ryan gets it as evidenced by his cover of Oasis "Wonderwall" which actually added a melancholy emotion that improved the song for many listeners. Ryan covered "Down In A Hole" and got the pain that Layne brought to it. Ryan "got" it and made a great cover. This cover here is no exception. Ryan does the impossible. Make a great folk cover from a metal group. The guitar sounds awesome on acoustic here and Ryan gets inside the spirit of the original and draws an aura and story out of it. I love it and I have a hunch that even Maiden fans can dig this!
Soot and Stars
I AM SOOT!
You already know where I stand on the Immigrant Song cover but I have to say Sootsiekins I am really enjoying the majority of these covers. My thoughts:
I agree with your sentiments on John Lennon, but then again I'm one of the few people on this earth who never really got the Beatles or anything associated with them. I've always thought Imagine was as boring as watching paint dry and one of the most overpraised songs ever (though I get the overall message of the song and John's legacy I just never could get into it... sorry). However, I do think Cornell adds a little more life to an otherwise boring, tired and dull song. I give it a 6/10.
I absolutely dig this one. I love 80's electronic bands and absolutely adore DM and this is one of the best covers I've heard of them. This one reminds me of what Miser did with the Cranberries' "Zombie" (one of my most favorite covers ever) adding modern day hard rock to a less exciting original and totally overshadowing that original IMO. DM can be a little dreary-sounding at times with Dave Gahan's vocal style so it was nice to hear this song a little more uptempo and exciting. Now I recall the Anberlin version you recommended to me.
I like how this one stays pretty true to the music of the original then kicks it up a notch on the main chorus. I bet even MP the Toto freak would approve (if he ever takes a gander at your thread
Jen, I like how you are listening to tracks you haven't heard. That's a part of this I get really excited about. I've never heard that Cranberries cover before but I would like to check that out as I love the original Zombie song.
Covers area great way to get into bands and I'm glad you remember the Anberlin version as well. It seems a lot of good bands are Depeche Mode fans which says a lot for DM's legacy. On "Imagine", I appreciate your honesty about the original and if this helped you like a great song any better than I'm all for that. Lennon was a great songwriter and sometimes it takes an artist more your style to showcase that!
As for the Relient K song I believe MP liked it when I posted it on Facebook but I am curious as to whether he's seen this thread yet as well.
It'd be really cool to see him in it.
ILoveJimmyPage
Senior Member
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- Posts
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You've never heard the Miser version of Zombie? 
I won't derail your thread too much but here it is. I looove it.
I won't derail your thread too much but here it is. I looove it.
Soot and Stars
I AM SOOT!
You've never heard the Miser version of Zombie?
I won't derail your thread too much but here it is. I looove it.
That was great actually! I've never even heard of Miser but I like there style. They remind me of Breaking Benjamin. Do you know if their original material is as good?
ILoveJimmyPage
Senior Member
- Joined
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Honestly Sooty I haven't listened to them since (circa) 2007 and I have a hard time even recalling what color underwear I wore yesterday but this cover certainly did stand out for me. I think it's great.
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