Forgotten Songs of the 21st Century: Nina Gordon

Forgotten Songs of the 21st Century: Nina Gordon

When Nina Gordon quit Veruca Salt in 1998, many people wondered what she would be able to do on her own as a solo artist; in 2000, she emerged with Tonight and the Rest of My Life and the title track which became one of the most beautiful pop songs of the year but as the years have worn on, the song has basically been pushed under the rug.

When she first quit the group, she immediately started work on a solo record that was supposed to come out on Outpost at the end of ’98 or early ’99 but the record company folded at the end of 1998 and the album was briefly shelved until she was able to ink a deal with Warner Brothers, which saw the record be released in the spring of 2000 with the title track released to whet people’s appetites. When one heard it, it was definitely unlike anything else released that year, especially by an artist who was best known for the mid-‘90s hit “Seether.”

When she comes to the chorus, the song becomes almost ethereal in its approach and it’s just beautiful. While some people could look at the song as something that could be used at proms and teen movies, it’s got a kind of timelessness about it that allows it to be enjoyed by almost everyone regardless of age. While the song became a minor hit in 2000, it seems to be almost forgotten ten years later, so take a listen and see if you can feel the same power that others have felt.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=5264291

Pete's Best of 2009!

Pete’s Best of 2009!

By: Pete Crigler

Well it’s been over a year now since I started writing for this site and it continues to be one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. It’s been getting to the point where musicians I’ve reviewed are emailing me thanking me for pointing things out in their music that no one else has. With all the ups and downs I’ve gone through in 2009, writing for the site had been a blessed constant. Next year is shaping up to be exciting as hell with new releases and the hopeful publication of my first book, “Keeping It Tight in the Old Dominion: A History of Virginia Rock Music.” So with all that said, here’s to a slammin’ new year! It’s sad to say but punkbands.com as we know it; R.I.P.!

Best Records of the Year:

1. Lamb of God-Wrath

Quite possibly one of the best metal records of the decade. So loud, abrasive and full of ‘fuck you’ attitude, it’s impossible to beat. Their best record ever, asides from Ashes of the Wake of course.

2. Pearl Jam-Backspacer

The best record of their career since Yield and that was 1998. By going back and revisiting earlier sounds and injecting some new flavors into it all, the band was able to reclaim their rightful position as one of the best rock bands in the country; and it was only available at Target!

3. Killswitch Engage-S/T

So much stronger lyrically than As Daylight Dies and more precise too. By bringing in Brendan O’Brien, they were able to sharpen their skills and highlight everything that makes them so great. It’s also so much louder than previous records which is quite a welcome change.

4. Dave Matthews Band-Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King

With the death of LeRoi Moore, the band was able to stop wallowing in its own inevitable demise and bring it back to where it all began, great music without all the bullshit. By crafting some of their best songs in years, they can now say they’re touring behind a great album and not just touring for touring’s sake.

5. Patton Oswalt-My Weakness is Strong

If this album doesn’t win a Grammy for Best Comedy Recording, then something is seriously wrong at NARAS. One of the funniest comedians on the face of the earth who is just now starting to get his due. Just listen to “Orgy” and “Grocery Robots” and you’ll hear what I mean.

6. Them Crooked Vultures-S/T

One of the coolest supergroups of the last decade and guess what? It doesn’t suck at all! Combining everything great about the Foo Fighters, QOTSA and Zeppelin, it’s just great rock without any shit behind it.

7. Travis Tooke-Artichoke

Through released in 2007, I heard it this year and it’s one of the best records I’ve heard in a while. From the guitarist of For Squirrels/Subrosa comes a record full of pain and anguish that it demands repeated listens.

8. Mouthbreather-Thank You for Your Patience

Absolutely amazing punk rock, straight from Richmond, VA! Check out the review here.

9. Left Alone-S/T

One of the most unexpected and pleasing records I heard all year. Just great, straight-ahead punk rock with some great messages inside. More excitement awaits you here.

10. Green Day-21st Century Breakdown

While still a great record, it was kind of hard to top American Idiot, but the band tried and came out of it alright.

Honorable Mention:

Shark Speed-Sea Sick Music

Coldplay-LeftRightLeftRightLeft

Dusty Rhodes and the River Band-Palace and Stage

Best EP’s of the Year:

Driving on City Sidewalks-Where Angels Crowd to Listen – review found here.

The Reptilian-Boy’s Life – review found here.

Worst Records of the Year:

The Matadors-Sweet Revenge

I don’t know if the band were trying to be serious or not but if they were, shock value is definitely not the way to go. For me the whole record just reeked of a satanic version of the Reverend Horton Heat and let’s face it no one wants to listen to that in 2009. Read more about this shit here.

Hoobastank-(N)ever More

It’s amazing they’re still together because they’re getting shittier and shittier. From this point on, it’s further down the toilet for these douches.

Papa Roach-Metamorphosis

Unbelievably, their drummer used to be in Pulley and Unwritten Law! When you’re this old and still wearing eyeliner and writing songs like “I Almost Told You That I Loved You,” then maybe it’s time to go to wither away and disband.

Lady Gaga-The Fame and The Fame Monster

Why oh why are people buying this fucked up shit!!! When you have to rely on more theatrics and shitty costumes than on musical ability, then maybe the Mayans are right and the apocalypse is coming soon.

Dance Club Massacre-Circle of Death

Without a doubt, one of the worst records I’ve heard in a hell of a long time. The twenty-seven minute version of “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” has to be heard in all its agonizing glory to be totally believed. To learn if there’s more, read all about here.

Cobra Starship-Hot Mess

It started out as a joke but now that he has success, Gabe Saporta is doing everything he can to hold on to his fame. Having Leighton Meester of “Gossip Girl” or whatever show she’s on sing on your ‘hit’ shows you’re no longer a punk rocker and are destined to wear the ‘dunce’ cap for the rest of your career.

Disappointments of the Year:

Green Day-21st Century Breakdown

While the band tried admirably, it just isn’t the same because the songs weren’t as strong and the story won’t hold up as much as it’s predecessor. Is it too much to ask to get off the damn pedestal and play some old school punk rock again, please?

Yeah Yeah Yeahs-It’s Blitz

Bad cover art + bad dance music=pure, unadulterated crap!

Alice in Chains-Black Gives Way to Blue

It may just be me, but I’m so used to AIC of old that I can’t wrap my head around this new stuff or maybe it’s just that they’re trying to add new sounds to a tried and true formula that doesn’t make it work anymore. RIP Layne!

Weezer-Raditude

My how the mighty have fallen! From number one last year to here; from having outside writers for the first time ever to awful cover art to having Josh Freese play drums to an unbelievable collaboration with Lil’ Wayne, it’s clear that they’re trying everything to stay relevant. Please come back to your senses!

Best Music DVD of the Year:

Anvil-Anvil!: The Story of Anvil

Biggest Revelations:

Dusty Rhodes and the River Band

Shark Speed

Five Finger Death Punch

Happy Flowers

Best Singles of the Year:

Mastodon-“Oblivion”

Powerful, moving and sick as hell!

Megadeth-“Headcrusher”

Without a doubt, one of the most punishing metal songs of the year and one of their best songs ever!

Incubus-“Black Heart Inertia”

A great way to wrap up one phase of their career and hopefully an interesting beginning to the next one.

311-“Hey You”

Welcome back guys, it’s been a while.

Most Anticipated for 2010:

Red Hot Chili Peppers-Alright, break’s over, it’s time to show these punks who’s boss! It’ll be interesting to see what they come up with without Frusciante.

Faith No More-Best reunion of the decade!! Let’s see if it’ll last into a trip to the studio.

The Dead Milkmen-Second best reunion of the decade. Hopefully, they still know how to fuck shit up!

Stone Temple Pilots-It’ll be interesting to see what sound they’ll revisit, Purple or Shangri-La Dee Da?

Forgotten Songs of the '90s: The Connells

Forgotten Songs of the ‘90s: The Connells

The Connells had been around for years but it really wasn’t until 1993 when they struck the big time and made their name known all over Europe with one song that seemed to transcend their entire career. The sad thing though is that today the song is barely remembered in America at all. That song is “74-‘75.”

By the time the song came out in 1993, the band were college rock superstars because of hits like “Stone Cold Yesterday.” When the album Ring came out, American radio focused on “Slackjawed” and nothing else. So when this amazingly sweet ballad came out about remembering old times in high school and what life became afterwards, radio paid no attention at all. You listen to the song and it’s impossible not to get caught up in the sweeping emotion of the song. That, and it’s just a really great song led by Michael Connell’s unbelievable acoustic guitar work and Doug McMillan’s amazing vocal delivery.

The song’s beauty and just total absorption into emotion just catapulted the song into European success; the song went number one in at least three countries, the band got a gold record and they toured Europe for the better part of two years just promoting the song. Almost seventeen years later, the song is still as popular as ever and just waiting to be rediscovered by American audiences who might finally realize how absolutely awe-inspiring the song is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-ITv4OBV9c

Forgotten Album of the Month: The Ocean Blue

Forgotten Album of the Month: The Ocean Blue

The Ocean Blue are one of the greatest, most underrated bands of all time. Coming out in a time of alt-rock and hair metal, the band’s pure pop sheen managed to shine briefly but was quickly overshadowed by the denseness of grunge. But the band persevered and in 1991, released their greatest album, Cerulean.

Everything about this record is fantastic, from the title to the cover of the bluest water imaginable to the songs, it’s almost impossible to go wrong with the record. Kicking off with one of the best opening songs of all time, the beautiful “Breezing Up,” the album is a melancholic look at love and hope, all the while careening along beautifully.

While certain songs instantly remind you of summer like “Breezing Up” and “Mercury,” others have a bit of a summer feel to them like the immortal “Ballerina Out of Control.” While not every song is a gem, the ones that are will forever remain immortal classics. Propelled by the lush keyboards of Steve Lau, the band were able to override the prevailing sentiments of grunge and continue on a path of easy listening alt rock that even after all these years, still manages to connect with just about every person who hears it and that’s a great thing to still have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FJF4Swq_PU (Ballerina Out Of Control)
http://www.clevver.com/music/video/139698/the-ocean-blue-mercury.html