Song Dissection- Brand New-Sic Transit Gloria

Today, I will be dissecting the 2003 hit single from Brand New, Sic Transit Gloria

The song starts off with a mid-tempo drum and bass riff in the key of d flat. When Singer Jesse Lacey starts singing in a doubled-up voice. Then a third, much higher voice whines in the background as the drums and bass build up to the chorus, which is when the guitar kicks in. The song speeds up, and Jesse goes all out with the vocals, and there's even a metalcore scream at the end. After the 2nd verse and chorus, the bridge happens, in which the guitar is still there, but the song slows back down to the speed of the verse, and there is no singing, until the end, where Jesse sings the high background voices lyrics in a short acapella section before the final chorus. And the end of this chorus, the scream rings out, and the song comes to a close.  Overall, I give this song a 4/5, It is very catchy, and covers lots of ground, but it can get a bit repetitive, and none of the band members truly showcased their full ability on their instruments.

.

Song Dissection-Three Days Grace: World So Cold

Today, I will be taking a look at Three Days Grace's 2009 not-quite-a-hit single, World So Cold.


The song starts off with a haunting, ethereal guitar riff, in which guitarist Barry Stock utilizes the effect of a phase shifter on top of his clean single notes. After this riff goes on for about 13 seconds, the drums, bass and distorted guitars kick in, turning the song from a borderline horror movie soundtrack, into an arena filling, bombastic hard rock song. Then, the song becomes quiet again, and singer Adam Gontier moans about his dirty, drug-filled past. The lead guitar starts up, and Adam's moans turn to shouts, as the band builds up energy, and lets it all out during the aggressive chorus, only for things to again quite down for the verse. This repeats until the bridge, it isn't that different from the chorus, just a bit slower.


And that's pretty much the whole song, I would call it an overall 3.5/5 for me. The phase shifter in the intro is one of the best dark sounding guitar riffs I've heard in a while, and the first minute and a half or so of the song is excellent, but it can get a bit repetitive after a while.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhOQb-hrgpk- this is a link to the song, so you can listen to it for yourself and form your own opinions on it.

Well, that's all I have to say on this song.      ABRUPT ENDING.

Band History-Blink-182

Today, we will be taking a look a brief history of highly influential pop-punk band Blink-182.

Blink-182 was formed in Poway, California, a suburb of San Diego, in 1992, by vocalist/bassist Mark Hoppus, vocalist/guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Scott Raynor. They originally had the name "Blink", but were sued by an irish techno band with the same name, so they chose a number at random, and became Blink-182. They built up a strong underground following with their first demo tape "Buddha" and debut album "Cheshire Cat" in the early '90s, and also became known for their high-energy shows and off-beat humour. Early shows featured wet t-shirt and wet pants contests, pranks and fart jokes. In 1997, they headed to Encinitas, California, to record their followup album, Dude Ranch, which was released on MCA records. It contained their breakthrough single "Dammit", which caused the album to sell 1 million copies over 3 years. During their tour supporting Dude Ranch, drummer Scott Raynor was fired for alcohol abuse, and former Aquabats drummer Travis Barker completed the lineup that has remained to this day. In 1999, Blink released their breakthrough 3rd album Enema of the State, containing the singles "What's My Age Again",  "All The Small Things" and "Adam's Song". Their next album "Take Off Your Pants and Jacket" cemented their success as worldwide rockstars, debuting at number 1 on the American and Canadian charts. Their next release would be their 2003 self titled effort, which showcased a more experimental, mature sound. While some fans questioned the new sound, the album was still highly successful. In 2005, due to creative differences, the band broke up, and splintered off into side-projects such as Box Car Racer, +44, Transplants and Angels and Airwaves. In 2008, Travis Barker was involved in a plane crash, being one of only two survivors of the 6 on board. Blink later reunited at the 2009 Grammys, and released the 2011 album Neighborhoods, while still maintaining their pop punk sound, Neighborhoods experimented with more mature lyrics.

Smashing Pumpkins-Siamese Dream album review

     Today's album review will be about the major-label debut album of one of the main band's that popularized depressing-rock in the early 90's. The Smashing Pumpkins "Siamese Dream".

After building up a strong underground fan base following the release of their indie-rock debut, Gish, the Pumpkins signed with Virgin Records, and set out to make their next album. Setting themselves further apart from the grunge and garage-rock sound that was common among rock groups at the time, the Pumpkins incorporated the styles of shoegazing, dream pop, heavy metal and progressive rock into the album. With producer Butch Vig, who also produced Nirvana's "Nevermind", they spent late '92 and early '93 recording in a small town in Georgia.

On July 27, 1993, Siamese Dream was released to the public, and spawned 4 charting singles, "Cherub Rock", "Today", "Disarm", and "Rocket". Besides the singles, it also contained soft songs like "Spaceboy" and "Luna", and heavier songs like "Hummer" and "Geek USA". 

Despite tensions between band members during recording, it is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums to come out of the 90's alternative rock scene, and one of the greatest albums of all time. Rolling Stone placed it at number 360 of the 500 greatest albums of all time. It also received 5 stars from several sources including Allmusic and Consequence of Sound.

If you're interested in a 90's alternative rock record with a different sound, this is the album for you. If you're a newcomer to the Pumpkins and looking for a soft, acoustic sound, listen to Disarm, if you're looking for a heavier sound, listen to Geek USA.

Incubus-Make Yourself Album Review

The first album review of this blog is of the melodic, groove-rock styled third album from the Calabasas, CA rock band, Incubus, entitled "Make Yourself".

This album was released through Immortal Records on October 26, 1999. It was a stylistic change from their previous funk-metal sound into more mainstream alternative rock, largely due to the lack of slap style bass playing (slappa de bass), and the lack of palm muting on guitar, which can only be heard briefly in the song "Out From Under".

Make Yourself, along with it's followup album, Morning View, skyrocketed Incubus to stardom, while they had built up a strong underground following and had opened for bands like Korn, Primus, 311, Sublime and Unwritten Law, and performed gig's at Ozzfest and the Family Values tour, they would soon become a headlining act. At the time, "Pardon Me", and "Stellar" were popular songs on mainstream rock radio, but they didn't become truly known until they released their breakthrough single, "Drive". 

"Drive" is widely considered to be the band's biggest hit, reaching number 1 on the modern rock charts, and number 9 on the hot 100. It was awarded the title of Billboard modern rock single of the year for 2001. It was one of the main reasons that Make Yourself would later go double platinum in the U.S. (2 million units sold).

It has received mostly positive reviews, getting 4/5 stars from Allmusic and Rolling Stone.

Buy the record if you are looking for alternative rock with melodious vocals and a groove-edge, but if you're a new Incubus fan, listen to Drive, you will not be disappointed.