Muse aren’t really considered to be a blues rock band as such. However, they have showed spurts, and this weeks record of the week comes from their newest single “psycho”. You’ve probably heard it on the radio quite frequently since its release.
This is one of their finest singles yet, with the hard-htting intro that carries on straight through the entire track; its catchy, heavy and bluesy.
Check it out:
This record of the week comes from a group called The Heavy, and the track is titled “How you like me now“.
You’ll probably recognise this song from quite a few adverts, and The Heavy have also had a few other songs that have been used on quite a lot of adverts before; one of their tracks was also used as the theme tune for Strike Back. But this single is probably their most famous one, and it is a bit of tune:
Cheers.
In 1971, after Hendrixs’ death, the album ‘The Cry of Love’ was released. Upon its release in ’71 it sold 500,000 copies in the US by April, and went to number 2 on the UK album chart. It has now been re-released, and because I wasn’t around in ’71, I’ve decided to review it now, in 2015.
The hitch I initially had with this record was that, by the looks of things, there didn’t seem to be any of Hendrixs’ top hitters on the album; the top hitters that certainly I would instantly think of when someone mentions the name “Jimi Hendrix”.
However, listening to it back over, “Freedom” is classic Hendrix, a 4 minute guitar rift reminiscent of “Purple Haze“. With smooth lyrics over the top, this helped create a classic 60’s rock and roll sound that is necessary to start any Hendrix album. This particular single flows into what is probably THE track of this album with the third song “Ezy Ryder“. This provides the album with a cutting edge and shows that this record may well be rather different to previous Hendrix albums. Bongos at the start and a slight grunge sound fading into a more bluesy tone helps solidify this track as this albums best song.
Progressing through, the guitar rifts on the eighth track “Angel” does sound a tad ‘rock ballady’, and with deep, meaningful lyrics, this single does feel a bit out of place; however many listeners may think its a nice change of pace from an album that is just Hendrix doing what he does best.
“Astro man” comes towards the end of the record and provides a fantastically upbeat conclusion to the album and sounds like Hendrix didn’t worry about the need to live up to any expectations when writing it. This track tells me that he allowed himself to really break free from the rest of the album and it does help epitomise everything this record is essentially based around and what is wanted from a great Hendrix track.
Throughout, Hendrix doesn’t slip away from his roots too often, with light blues chords subtly dominating most of the album.
Overall then, this album is far from his best but it is a subtle reminder that this great musician could consistently provide die hard fans with cracking rifts from an entire album.
Album Rating: 7/10
Alternatives:
Header Photo Credit: blog.promotion-us.com
This weeks entry for Record of the Week comes from Seasick Steve. The track is titled “Started out with Nothin”.
Starting out in the 1960’s, Seasick Steve has continuously been a prominent figure in the world of blues. Recognised all over America and the UK for his shabby beard and homemade guitars, this single has a very specific sound that you may associate with films relating to the prohibition era in America.
With four of this previous albums hitting gold in the UK alone, its safe to say that Seasick Steve is an imperial force within the genre.
“Started out with Nothin” for me, however, is most definitely one of his defining moments as a blues musician.
Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Cheers.
Header Photo Credit: upload.wikimedia.org
Carry on reading if you’ve listened to:
After releasing the cover of a Slim Harpo track called “Im a king bee” a little while ago now, I had in mind that this particular quartet may well just a be a one hit wonder.
This new album is rather hit and miss to me. The albums’ saviours come towards the end with “Jericho” and “Greasing up the door man” but you have to wait through 8 other tracks before these, and they are all below par. These other tracks are not awful, but they are definitely ‘middle of the road’ and thats not what I was expecting. I was anticipating a record that would be loud, fast and in your face which was what their previous singles were all about. Instead, it just feels as if this whole record needs a kick up the ass and to not worry too much about their own credibility. I was encouraged by the second half of the album as I mentioned before but it isn’t really enough to class this record as a ‘must-buy’.
“Eyes for Love” and “This Town” are two tracks in particular that are just too misty eyed, cautious and very conservative, which simply doesn’t work. It has Radio 2 written all over this record, and personally, thats just not right for this lot.
They have had some recognition with one or two tracks from their previous records, “Beneath Mt. Sinai” was played on Sons Of Anarchy and “Im a King Bee” was used in a Jack Daniels advert. So it’s not as if these guys don’t know what it takes to produce and write a record that can make an impression and get some air time.
This California bred band have also opened for some big names in their time, Cage the Elephant and The Black Keys being two of those. But can they make an impact off their own back and really kick-on to be a success? This album doesn’t go to show, for me, that they can do that. Their just isn’t enough substance there to really catch on and become a hit.
My overall feeling is that The Stone Foxes are capable of creating true gritty blues music but this particular album is a step in the wrong direction and is definitely not one that you will rush online to buy any time soon.
Its a shame. Oh well, going back to the older stuff I think.
Overall Album Rating: 5/10
Header Photo Credit: theaudioperv.com
Below is a list of 10 songs that I’ve listened too quite a lot over the course of the last month. (Just in case you were interested.)
This weeks track comes from a band that have been around for a little while now but have definitely gone under the radar a tad. Their called Wolfmother and the track is named “Joker and the Thief“.
This single actually was played at the start of the Hangover and Jackass 2, and to be honest, they’re probably the only places you may recall hearing it.
Well, here it is now, and really shouldn’t give it a miss, a f*cking belter.
Let us know what you think.
Header Photo Credit:f1.bcbits.com
The White Stripes.
The “White Blood Cells” album. This is definitely a must have for any rock music enthusiast. Initially released in 2001, this record defined who The White Stripes were in the eyes of the general public.
With the album centred around ‘Fell in Love with a Girl‘, Jack White is continuously up close and personal with both his lexical choices and his hard-hitting guitar rifts throughout.
This fourth track is a short blast of true blues rock’n’roll at its finest. From start to finish, this single is really a metaphor for the album; the killer heavy guitar intro, accompanied with the subtle backing of Meg Whites‘ drumming makes this track an absolute killer and a true great in the eyes of any rock fan.
This 15 track album is finely controlled with feature singles such as “Little Room” and “Im Finding It Harder To Be A Gentlemen” helping to balance the fast paced raucous of the first three tracks, proving that even at a slightly slower pace, The Whites’ could still produce tracks that had listeners calmly ‘head-banging’ (I use that term lightly here) to the tone of the guitar rifts and incisive beats for the whole duration.
Even as an intro to the whole album, “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” lets us all know what we’re in for straight from the get go.
Anyone whose read some of my previous posts may have gathered that I am a big Jack White fan; I’m not hiding that fact. But this record is where I believe it all started. The evolution of Jack White, (from his White Stripes days, to his time with The Raconteurs, then his continuation with his solo career and recent releases by The Dead Weather,) all began with this classic.
This album will always be the seed by which Jack White started to grow his successful career and cement his place as a legend within Blues Rock and modern Rock’n’Roll.
Album Rating: 8.5/10
Header Photo Credit:images.upvenue.com
This is a new feature.
Every Wednesday I’m just going to name a single track from a single artist that I think is really worth a listen. If you don’t listen, then trust me, you’re missing out. So listen.
This weeks track comes from a young solo artist named Hanni El Khatib, the track is titled You Rascal You.
A young prodigy in the Blues Rock genre, this San-Francisco born singer-songwriter has previously worked with musicians such as Dan Auerbach, so he’s obviously got talent.
With an incredibly hard rock intro, Khatib continues with his heavy blues sound throughout to create a rock sound that is just too catchy to ignore. This song is a toooooon.
Lyrics centred around death and mens’ attitude towards women, Khatib clearly possesses strong morale feelings towards topical issues; a mature view on a delicate topic helps this song propel itself into the limelight within this genre.
This track is hard hitting and incredibly catchy all at the same time. So have a listen and give your feedback below.
Header Photo Credit: allstonpudding.com
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