Montag, 7. Nov 2005, 8:45

I figured I'd write a little about each CD in my collection.

Alice In Chains
Grew up in the 90's with MTV, alternative and grunge rock. Alice In Chains is one of the most important rock bands of the 90's. Their "Unplugged" performance on MTV was phenomenal, and a worthy album to buy. Cantrell has long been one of my guitar-playing influences and Layne lyrically. Really too bad Layne couldn't save himself from himself.

A Perfect Circle
Maynard from Tool and a buncha other guys. I'm a little bitter Paz (bass) left, she's a cutie! Their "Mer De Noms" album is a beautiful interweaving of rock and melodic stories. Maynard's voice is in top form here. I haven't gotten into their newer stuff, though.

Bjork
Is she cute or what? Ok maybe she's old enough to be my mom now, but it doesn't really matter. I generally despise the techno/electronica genres, it gets really boring. But Bjork has managed to keep my interest for long enough. Eccentric yet sincere. Great combination.

Coal Chamber
I don't listen much to any of my heavy rock music anymore, but I'll always enjoy such bands as Coal Chamber. Sometimes you just gotta let loose and put on a hard album. Coal Chamber delivers. Another heavy guitar influence.

Cold
They might have faded away, but a bit of an underrated hard rock band. Sometimes ethereal guitar work with some easy but effective vocals. "Just Got Wicked" is a great track.

Dave Navarro
Yes he released a solo album, "Trust No One". I almost feel bad that I'm only really familiar with his solo work - Dave played for Janes Addiction too, another great 90's+ band. Dave's guitar work is great, but beyond that he is a really down-to-earth, hilarious guy who has risen above his life tragedies and still finds time to care about his fans - check him out at http://www.6767.com

Deftones
Chino's almost careless vocals work. I mean, I can't say he's one of the greatest singers out there, but it doesn't bother me - Deftones as a package is great. From "White Pony" back to "Adrenaline". They stand out for me among other rock bands - a very familiar sound.

Depeche Mode
From the 80's to the 90's to the 00's this band still proves their longetivity, always evolving but never really changing. Gahan's focused vocals are perfect along with the band's poppy and accessible synth work. Why DM isn't on the radio outplaying all the other crap-pop-molded-teenies, I don't know. Maybe that's a good thing.

Filter
A few good songs. I admit I don't listen to "Title of Record" much anymore, it was too varied. But "Hey Man Nice Shot", "Jurassitol" and "The Best Things" are memorable.

Fiona Apple
Seems like she's faded away too. Sony canned her album because she wouldn't adapt to the trends. Good for her. Apparently "Extraordinary Machine" is being released now, though. What to tell you… cute but tough young woman with poetic lyrics and a piano - and yet, very unlike Tori Amos.

Frank Sinatra
I dunno what sparked my interest in the guy. I guess it's that natural charisma. You just can't deny he is THE MAN. This is old-school crooner music at it's best and frankly, (no pun intended) - it doesn't get any better thank Sinatra.

Full Devil Jacket
Alice-in-chains-in-a-way-but-not-exactly. I still love 'em, too bad they're not around anymore. Lead singer Josh found God and put together a new band. Fortunately FDJ isn't it. Some emotional songs here, some a bit hard to listen to. But good all around rock.

Lennon Murphy
Girl. With. Guts. Lennon is beautiful. I saw her on MTV2 years ago, this black-haired beautiful girl singing behind a piano, then rocking it out the next minute. Hasn't seemed to really hit it too big, which is good. "5:30 Saturday Morning" is a good album, even if in retrospect it's a bit… teen-rock-angst, there's something about that's more than that, more sincere.

Mudvayne
Remember that crazy band who painted their faces and… no not KISS. Well eventually Mudvayne dropped the shtick. I haven't gotten into their newer stuff, it sounds like its trying to be too accessible. "L.D. 50" - great hard rock album though, really intricate actually, with some lyrical and musical theories and hints/conspiracies ala Tool.

My Vitriol
Awesome. Awesome. I don't care if some of their songs are a bit happy-emo-pop, they kick ass. The guitar work is … I don't know, I can't even describe. Just this swirling, ethereal… invigorating, haunting tapestry of melody. Hey I never proclaimed to be a music critic. Check 'em out though, some really haunting songs by these guys such as "Tabprobane" and "Infantile".

Nine Inch Nails
Y'know, Trent Reznor, "fawk you like an animal" 90's hit. He's matured a lot more since then. 1999's "The Fragile", 2 disc album… experimental but just beautiful and pretty much an experience, delivering the hard-edged and the soft. Although all my life I wanted to get into music and release an album, NIN/Trent really inspired me to go with keyboards and in that general direction. My inspirations have since opened even more, of course - but I gotta hand it to Trent. The guy is a genius. Unfortunately I just can't dig his latest "With Teeth" at all. Too accessible.

Nirvana
Funny I must have been in like 3rd or 4th grade when "Nevermind" came out, grunge scene and all with Alice and Soundgarden and Stone Temple Pilots, etc. I listen to 'em for a nostalgia kick, but I'm a little detached from the music. Guess I'm getting old.

Nostalgia
Duo from Germany, with a beautiful, and definitely not boring, ambient album "Arcana Publicata Vilescunt". I picked it up just becuase I liked the cover art, and figured "hey it must be good" – I couldn't have been more right. Check out my interview with Mathias of Nostalgia: http://www.phait-accompli.com/interviews.php

Orgy
Yeah they covered "Blue Monday" but I still dig a few of their songs from "Candyass" - quite a melding of rock/electronic. Definitely an individual sound.

Primus
HERE COME THE BASTARDS! Where do I start… Les Claypool is a genius on bass and even more so lyrically. This band is just silly, funny and stupid all at the same time and it's ENJOYABLE. I dunno what to tell you just check 'em out, tracks like "Mr. Krinkle", "Bob's Party Time Lounge", "Winona's Big Brown Beaver", "Jerry Was A Racecar Driver". Silly but fun rock.

Sevendust
Awesome heavy band with soulful and melodic lyrics courtsey of Lajon Witherspoon. I still enjoy "Home" and I have "Animosity" which is also a good album, but kinda bittersweet to listen to. Just a sincere rock band, what can I say? Not too many of them out there.

Staind
Another great rock band, back in the days before they started tailoring their music to accessibility. Which means check out "Dysfunction" - Aaron Lewis' tortured but sincere and powerful vocal range is phenomenal at times, and some memorable, rhythmic riff work as well.

Stevie Ray Vaughan
Several years ago probably before I grew hair on my chest, blues was nothing to me. Just didn't dig it. That's because I hadn't heard enough yet. Stevie opened my mind. When I think of Stevie's music, I hear one of the most sincere, heartful and dedicated musicians ever. It's such a shame he died, and tragically. A huge, huge influence on the guitar for me as well. If you had the awesome experience of seeing him live… you know what I mean. If you haven't check him out on video. He rips through "Texas Flood", one of my favorite SRV covers.

Stone Temple Pilots
From "Core" to "Purple" to "Tiny Music" to "Four", great album after album, and always evolving. Just a great rock band with alot of diversity and classical rock influence. These guys inspired me to start guitar, actually. I've always admired Weiland's vocal range as well.

Tori Amos
No this can't be, a guy that listens to Tori Amos, and ADMITS to it? Yea. So she's a little eccentric at times, and maybe a bit controversial. Who cares? Give her a try. If you like story-filled piano filled songs with a little infusion of rock, check out Tori. Try "Cruel", "Little Earthquakes", "Precious Things", "Jackie's Strength"…

The Cure
Thanks to the film "The Crow" I was introduced to "The Cure", awesome very melodical and deep music. You're not likely to find 3 minute hits here. The Cure shoot for longetivity both in their songs and in their career - since the late 70's. I just wish Robert would lose his toiled-hair-eyeliner shtick. You're how old now, Robert? Check out "Bloodflowers", "Lullaby", "Open", "Burn" (from "The Crow"), "If Only Tonight We Could Sleep"…

The Deadlights
Shame they're not together anymore. Heavy rock band, some angry but fun stuff I dunno what else to say… check out "Whores", "Distant Sun", "Falling Down", "Bitter"…

Type O Negative
I love these guys. I just wanna hug 'em. They have such a silly sense of humor about themselves beyond their drab, dark presence on stage - and it shows in some of their music too, admidst the gloom. I guess you could call this slow metal. The guitar work is slow, sinking in, with floating solos, deep vocals by Peter Steele, and several rock influences - even The Beatles. "October Rust" is a MUST buy album, songs like "Red Water", "In Praise of Bacchus", "Love You To Death"… perfect for Autumn.

Other Artists
Massive Attack: Trip-hop band. If you like some R&B with a little hip-hop and without all the posing, and some smooth vocals, check 'em out. I can't really describe them, how about relaxing? "Angel", "Inertia Creeps", "Dissolved Girl"…

Tricky: Rap. But not typical rap, Tricky is a poet and the music is sometimes a little dark, rumbly, but still memorable and enjoyable. His collaborations with Martina bring her beautiful voice in along the beats. Worth considering.

Saul Williams: Rap, but the guy thinks different. Another poet, a clever one and hell a genius. He's smart and thinks outside the bling/thug box. A bit different sound sometimes too.

The Doors: classic rock at it's best.

Jesper Kyd: has done soundtracks for the Hitman series video games. From dark ambient to catchy, upbeat and atmospheric almost club-like tracks - the guy's work is diverse and effective enough to listen to on it's own.

Sigur Ros: group from Iceland, beautiful music, really drawn out, ambient guitar work with non-sensical "Hopelandic" lyrics in some songs (otherwise Icelandic). Kind of an underground following. If you want something relaxing and maybe something to sleep to, check out Sigur Ros – haunting, beautiful music.

Johnny Cash: the man in black… I don't like country but Johnny's stuff transcends. I just admire the guy. Read his autobiography, a worthy read straight from Johnny himself. "A Boy Named Sue" is a riot, and his cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt" is surely moving.

Radiohead: cool electronicish-popish, kinda eccentric but accessible band. Stuff like "Everything In It's Right Place" or "I Might Be Wrong" – GOOD SHTUFF!

I could go on and on but I'd exhaust myself. At least you get a taste of what I'm into.