Distorted Reality

Sometimes in life we have things that distract us from the way things really are or the way that they should be.  I find that many people search for such things to escape on or temporarily forget what is going on.  While I understand the need I dont think that is a good idea because it is just like running from the problem.  Drinking and drugs certainly can distort reality.

There is a band that had success in the UK but saw little of it here in the states.  Their best song in my opinion made it on the Cant Hardly Wait soundtrack and actually has two versions one for the UK and one for the US.  I have included the US one here for you.

Feeder - High

Another song that I wanted to feature has a similar theme and ironically is a band of brothers from the UK as well.  They are famous for many fights, really long songs and lots of radio play.  Perhaps they were the greatest influence for modern rock bands in the UK.  Notice I said modern rock people so dont get insulted that I didnt mention the beloved Beatles.  While their first album was alright their sophomore album entitled Whats the Story Morning Glory was perhaps their best.  They did follow up with some good albums but ultimately they couldnt replicate that same success.  Perhaps their songs were just too long and all too similar to keep going and the fighting amongst themselves didnt help either.

Here is one of my favorites from that said album.  They have many from that album I could feature but this is one of the most famous ones.

Oasis - Champaign Supernova

Rockers with a Look

I have talked a lot about hair for rockers but there seems to be a look for rockers too.  You can look in the past and see it included mullets, big hair, long hair, crazy messed up hair, ripped pants, white ts, t-shirts with weird sayings to the grunge look.

This band perhaps has perfected the "geek" look and still has been successful with rock.  I really feel their first album was and still is their best and they actually have gotten worse over the years.  Who else could sing about a garage, a sweater and the name Jonas before little boys made it famous?

Perhaps they have made being a "geek" really cool.  They portray that in this song which is one of my favorites by them and is classic 90s rock. I apologize for the cheesy video but there wasnt a music video for this song.  You can find it off their self-titled album or "the blue album".

Weezer - In the Garage

Rock and Piano

Rock has been defined by steel, flying v's, and distortion every since someones amp was damaged and delivered a different and unique sound.  Does rock really work well with other instruments?  I guess it depends on who you ask.  In my opinion it didnt work for Metallica on their S&M album.  It works well for Apocolyptica though and it seems to be a good groove for Ben Folds.

Ben Folds has a different sound and can go from loud to soft, mellow to vulgar.  It is a good mix sometimes.  Without the band Ben Folds Five here is my favorite song of his going solo.

Ben Folds - Landed

A Bit of an Obsession

I always thought that punk rock was somewhat of an obsession.  As a person with a wide variety of musical taste I never just got stuck in one genre.  Many people I knew got stuck in punk rock and it seemed that so many bands that sounded like Blink 182 surfaced all over the late late 90s till a few years ago.

One band that has that sound that didnt really get a lot of attention or have a lot of success was a small band The Summer Obsession.  Here is perhaps my favorite track from them.  They worth a listen or two if you are looking for "undiscovered" stuff.  Unfortunately the band is broken up so you wont find new stuff from them but enjoy what they did have.

The Summer Obsession - Do You Remember

Classic Band

If you have headed to smaller venues and casino preformances lately you might have caught this last band.  Even though they might not be selling out stadiums like in the 90s they have been a classic band for over 10 years.

You really cant beat their music.  They are definately in my top 10.  They are perhaps one of the only bands that has brothers in it and is still together.  They first started to "Shine" pleading for light from heaven.  They taught us how to "Gel" and made our favorite month "December".  We found out who the "Smashing Young Man" was and discovered "The World I Know" and our suicidal tendencies.

They didnt stop there.  Their third album Dicipline Breakdown didnt sell as well and is very much under estimated because it is a great album.  Next they gave us a Dosage with "Run" and a few other tracks again under estimated.  They released another album and even did a duet with Elton John and that record didnt sell well either but was good.

After a bit of a break they gave us "Hollywood" and "Home" which that album isnt as good but there is a greatest hits album somewhere in that mix.  If you have a chance to discover or rediscover Collective Soul please do so.  You wont be disappointed!  Here is a great track from their Dicipline Breakdown album you will love

Collective Soul - Blame

Back At It Again

This band released their first album Sixteen Stone and it sold over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone.  It is a British band but they had little success in their home country.  The album is one of my favorites of the 90s for sure.  Every track on it is great.  They followed with three more albums which didnt have as much success and then disbanded in 2002.  If you ask me people under estimated the band because those albums are good just definately not as great as their first Sixteen Stone

Gavin Rossdale frontman for Bush started his own career and released an album with one song hitting the top 40 and had not recognizable success after that and the album didnt sell that well.  He did marry Gwen Stefani who has been in full support of his career as of late.

It is announced that Bush is releasing an album out in October.  For those of you who remember "Machinehead",  "Everything Zen", "Glycerine", and "Comedown" you might recall "Greedy Fly", "Chemicals Between Us", and "Headful of Ghosts".  I dont have a video of it but I do have a link to listen to the new song.  While it isnt my favorite and I wanted to feature Headful of Ghosts you can check out this new song!

Bush - Afterlife

Words of Suffering

There is perhaps an art to delivering lyrics that can convey such misery, suffering and pain to the masses that only a few singer/songwriters have.  Billy Crogan might fit that bill.  He was influenced by the Cure which if you know them ironically needed a cure for their own misery as well!  Maybe it is the completely bald head that drove Corgan to write such "gothic or dark" lyrics.  But it works well if you bought a "ZERO" t-shirt in the 90's.

The Smashing Pumpkins were a great band!  After they broke out with "Today" from their album Siamese Dream they released a double album, Mellon Collie and the Infinate Sadness, which won the hearts of some critics and called it groundbreaking.  It does have a wide variety of style to the songs on there.  Billy Crogan in an interview said he hated the album and thought it was their worst one.  Perhaps more of his skillful gothic lyrics I guess.  It sold over 18 million copies in the U.S. alone and I feel is my personal favorite of theirs.

After tons of drug use, internal fights, excessive touring, overdoses and a death the band broke up.  They did reunite and worked a lot with Marilyn Manson.  If you combine that with the ideas of James Iha (fellow Pumpkins band member) that rock was going more electronic you get the song "Eye" on the Lost Highway Soundtrack, "Perfect" and "Ava Adore" from the Adore album and this treasure song which I believe is their only grammy win.  It combines their electronic styling with their rock format like "Bullet with Butterfly Wings". From the Batman & Robin Soundtrack:

Smashing Pumpkins - The End is the Beginning is the End

Murder of Music

Perhaps there is nothing more classic than a rocker with impeccable ability to write music and a classic hairdo.  While the hairdos are usually reserved for the 80's rockers, Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows does make my list of most unique hairstyles for frontmans.  You really cant beat the lyrics on their songs on their first two albums which I maintain are their best for sure.

Despite their success of Mr. Jones and Around Here on the album August and Everything After two of the best tracks really didnt make as much radio plan and didnt sell as well.  One is Sullivan Street which is more of an electric acoustic set and the other is a classic crows sound rock song.  It also includes in the lyrics of the third verse the reason for their name from a divination rhyme.  I dont have a music video of it because I dont recall one even being filmed so here is a youtube vid with a band photo on tour for support of their live album and the audio recorded with it.

Counting Crows - A Murder of One

Name that Tune

One band always tops my list of favorites.  They actually released a new album and are touring and the song is pretty good but perhaps one of their best is one of their first.  The Goo Goo Dolls have many different hits and honestly I still think people have underrated them.  Despite their political affiliations over the past election I still like them.  Here is one of their more acoustic songs and the first one to help them hit it big.

Goo Goo Dolls "Name"

Counting the Days

There are times in our lives where we count down the days for something.  This has been on my mind and reminded me of one of the only ska/punk-ish bands that I really still enjoy listening to.  Perhaps you will remember songs like "Superman" or remakes like "99 Red Balloons" and others.  Well now you can count along to this rock song which is one of my favs by this band.  sorry I could only find a live video of the song.

Goldfinger - Counting the Days

Rock the Joint

It is totally common perhaps more so in the 90s and before to hear the phrase lets "rock this joint".  Well this next band will do that for you with their song "Level on the Inside" but they didnt do much rocking and really mean a different type of joint.

Dovetail Joint is a quite unknown band that did a little touring but again had small success and is more of a "local/undiscovered" band.  There stuff is alright by their best song for me is this one.  Sorry no music video just the album cover and the music here.

Dovetail Joint - Level on the Inside

Faded Out of Sight

Perhaps many of you will recall a smooth singing dude who sang his rock pop song "Barely Breathing" which was popular in the mid 90's.  Duncan Sheik also released a few other tracks some off soundtracks which werent nearly as popular as his first.  After that he sort of faded into the void.  He did release at least 2 other albums I remember one of which contains a track of which the title reflects something we all do that is so small but hurts so badly.

Mr. Sheik was regarded by many just as his last name says.  Well he faded away and actually has been writting and composing for Broadway.  He complied the music for Spring Awakening which won lots of awards on the Broadway scene.  He mostly plays in cafe's, clubs and the local NYC scene.

Duncan Sheik - Bite Your Tongue

Since I missed yesterday I will do double duty here.  Another fellow that faded into the background after a great first track was David Gray.  He hit the air with "Babylon" which is a great pop song.  He did release another album recently which got a few nods from a few critics but mostly hasnt really hit the mainstream.  He is mostly faded out of sight like Duncan Sheik and Evan and Jarom yes the boys who were "Crazy for this Girl"

David Gray - Babylon

Decent Little Unknown

There are many little unknown bands out there that are waiting to be discovered.  Many dont get discovered. Perhaps this band is one of those.  It had limited airplay and success.  Perhaps it has to do with the over saturated market of rock bands with similar sounds to Blink-182.  Well this little song I love to hear on my playlists though the rest of their stuff isnt superb I enjoy a few of their tracks.

Faulter - October 16

One Forgotten

This band had huge success with their first album which went platnium on the back of 3 singles.  The band endlessly toured for about 6 years before they took a break.  Their first album is fantastic as well as their others but most people dont know them except for "If You Could Only See" and "You Wanted More" from the American Pie Soundtrack.

Their last album before they broke up and band member Emerson Hart released his own album actually got another grammy no for this song.  It is one of my favorites by the band. This goes to show that many bands sometimes get forgotten such as this one did.  Their third and fouth albums didnt even go Gold and were fantastic!  The band now is touring again and have put out an album that is a combo of greatest hits plus a few new songs.  I couldnt find the official music video so here is someones slideshow to the song.

Tonic "Take Me As I Am"

Future Seed

One thing that many people do is pass their love of music on to their children.  This is how a lot of the "oldies" get shared with the younger people.  I know that my mother told me about "Knights in White Satin" and Crosby Seals and Nash.  I am not a huge fan of them but I can appreciate it none the less.

Perhaps one band gets to share this not only in the title of their band but in the lyrics of their song.  I know this might upset a lot of people but I genuinely believe that this song is the bands best song.  This band has been out for quite a while and has a lot of success with several different styles of music in their songs.

I really like the lyrics of this song.  There are a few songs that really just tell it how it is in life and this one is one of those songs.  From their album Americana and from a soundtrack that I cant put my finger on right now here is:

The Offspring - The Kids Aren't Alright

Disasterous Rock

There is always news about natural disasters and how terrible they are.  But there is one type of natural disaster that makes awesome rock. Lets throwback to the Scorpions so we can rock like a Hurricane

the Scorpions "Rock You Like a Hurricane"

Bizzare or Awesome

Time for a "You Decide" here.  I think the song is note worthy and the attempt to make a music video all on your own is too.  This song by a no name band Said the Whale is quite good.  The music video looks like something that should be on PBS or Yo Gabba Gabba though at first anyway.

Said the Whale "This City's A Mess"

Sometimes You Just Wanna Scream

It is a known fact that rock music and screaming go hand in hand.  Not the little girl kind of screams (unless you are Deloris O'Rearden) but the deeper back of the throat scream like in death rock.  Well sometimes rock music  is just the best to just crank and scream/sing at the top of your lungs.  Just because it is one of those weeks Im giving you one of those songs for me.

Mostly popular in the UK this Welch band is quite good and this song for me is a scream song but also their best.  So it is a shame they havent had as much success in the States as they should. Perhaps they just need a better marketing team here in the U.S. and I dont mean Tom DeLong (love your music Tom but man you sure did a lot of "project bands").

Lost Prophets "Rooftops (A Liberation Broadcast)"

Kudos to my friend Yamas for the intro to this band!

Girl Vocally Lead Rock Bands

There are a few success when it comes to rock bands that are lead with a girls voice.  Most of them only experience a few years of success and frankly most of the others I just cannot stand.  Here are the only ones that I can really stand listening to beyond one track, Evenescence, the Cranberries, Garbage, No Doubt.

Most of them have had success for at best 3 albums each and then have faded and/or disbanded.  Another such band I really only like a few songs from but are not worthy.  They broke out with their song "Seether" and then release 2 more albums and put out a track which is my favorite by them.  Yes it is true this band is named after a character from Willy Wonka or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Perhaps it isnt that clever of a name but if you know the character and you get the feel of "Seether" and this song you will see it fits.

Veruca Salt "Volcano Girls"

Defining Music

Perhaps there are only a few songs that can not only define a genre of music, but can also define an era and will also carry on into remembrance its vibes for all future generations to love and listen to.  Despite how I feel about the Beatles they are a prime example of this as well as other acts as Kiss, the Rolling Stones, etc.

Here is one such song that can define an decade, era, rock music and anyone in every generation will add to their playlist!

Candlebox - Far Behind

Dogs and Temples and Strikes

There are few frontmans that you could put together that would make songs that are work remembering and keeping in your playlist rotation.  I really can only think of a handful and perhaps the best one of all time came after the dead of band member in the band Mother Love Bone which included Eddie Vedder (frontman of Pearl Jam).  Then Chris Cornell (front man of Soundgarden) who was the roommate approached the band and asked them to work on a project with him.  They took the name Temple of the Dog from the lyrics of a Mother Love Bone song and thus a strike was started in the history books.  The pre-genius of Pearl Jam and Soundgarden made this classic song

Temple of the Dog - Hungerstrike

Misery Loves Company

Many of you know this band from their epic song that is forever burned in our brains "runaway train".  That song music video actually featured pictures and names of missing children.  The video for other countries was editied to have pictures and names of missing kids from those specific countries.  Apparently it brought a lot of success in finding kids.  The band also played at the inaguration of President Bill Clinton.

 Well Soul Aslyum did release a few other albums.  Their next album which is one of my favorites was Let Your Dim Light Shine.  On the back of this song it had mild success but wasnt as great as Grave Dancers which had the afore mentioned song.  Sadly they release another album and were dropped by their record as "grunge" was fading out.

According to the bands website they state they are working on an album for 2010!  But here is the song I love

Soul Asylum - Misery

Nonesense Anytime

There are just some songs that are so awesome, fantastic and epic that you can just listen to them at the same time and still not really understand what in the world they are talking about.  If you want to know what I am talking about check out the movie Matilda or Ice Age or perhaps just click this link down here

Rusted Root - "Send Me on My Way"

Memorial Day Music

What memorial day and patriotic holiday of any kind would be complete without Lee Greenwood singing "God Bless the U.S.A".  It is just a classic song.  I found a touching video on youtube with photo slideshow of shots of some troops.

So watch listen and remember we get to have our music because these men/women keep us safe and fight for us!

Lee Greenwood "God Bless the U.S.A."

For Got About the Follow Up

There are many bands that people consider a "one hit wonder".  I find that many people just under value some acts.  Case and point was Deep Blue Something I wrote about this past week.  Here is another band.  Perhaps you will remember "The Way" or "Fire Escape" from the band Fastball.  Forget that I camped out with some very interesting characters to get front row tickets just to find out the radio station took the first 3 rows what a crap deal that was!

Well anyway many people think this band was just a one record deal but they actually had a decent follow up or sophomore album.  Here is one of the better tunes from it and it is quite catchy.

Fastball "Your an Ocean"

Best Come Back Single

Many of the older bands recently have decided to try and come back.  Def Leppard, Journey, and several others.  I do have to say that the best come back song or single from any of the bands that are from the 70-80's is this song that came out a few years ago.  Sorry but the truth hurts sometimes.

Depeche Mode "Precious"

For Days Like Today

Sometimes you just have to have music to describe your moods and help you get through the drudgery of life!  I have several songs that I feel describe my life most of them are rather depressing but hey someone could write a soap show about my life.

Perhaps many of you will remember the first song from this band. They have a fairly unique sound and I love it. They arent hugely popular and have since broken up. They have several albums and each has its share of great songs and lets be honest some oddities I will call it.

Depsite that you will remember this song and you will also remember them from the Shrek movie singing their song "My Beloved Monster and Me".  Here is their first huge success which really makes me wish I had some novicane for my head today!

The Eels "Novicane for the Soul"

Are You Callin Me a Liar?

A few people will know this band from the last year.  They have had much more success now then they did for years before.  They were a vary "undiscovered" band quite popular in select areas and a more local scene till this song came out a year or two ago.  It is awesome and they followed it with a pretty strong single as well.

Carolina Liar "Im Not Over"

Unknown or Local

There is a band that I heard featured on a radio station a while back.  I actually helped pin up posters for them in salt lake city. They are pretty good but their albums havent really taken off outside of the local or international markets.

This band is produced and work with members of bands the likes of Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Collective Soul and more.  So there is no short of music expertise there at all.

Check out this track from their 2005 album which is one of my favs by them
Five Star Iris "Is There Something I Can Do"

Not Just Breakfast at Tiffany's

There is a certain band with a name that really puzzles some people.  I remember going into a store asking the man if they carried "Deep Blue Something" and he kept asking me what the something was.  The man was a moron in regards to music, but then again it's me typing.

Anyway Deep Blue Something release the ever popular "Breakfast at Tiffany's" which was a huge success but that was off their second album "Home". After that the band had little success and the major success has come from two members of the band helping to produce Drowning Pool.  There are some good tracks off the "Home" album.  They did release another album which has some good tracks as well.

Anyway off the same album as "Breakfast at Tiffany's" here is probably my favorite song by them...

Deep Blue Something "Halo"

Part of the Rych?

Perhaps many of you dig the old rock scene of big hair, ballads and gut busting solos that melt your face (thanks jack black).  Perhaps many of you classic guitar folks will appreciate this one but there is a lot of things to say about the band Queensrych.  I personally wasnt into it that much but when they released a greatest hits EP in the 90's this song came out which is my personal favorite of them

Queensrych "Sign of the Times"

What Kind of Girl Do You Have?

Many of us know and can quote the Farrley Brothers film staring Jim Carrey "Dumb and Dumber".  Well people may recognize this song from that movie.  This song was the only success the band had.  They did release a second album but disbanded after it since it didnt pick up and sell.


Here you go Deadeye Dick "New Age Girl"

Launching

Ed-musi-kation if you look at it right is a play on edumacation and music.  Since I have always since I was young recommended songs/artists and have had influence over those close to me in that regard I figure why not have some fun with it.

So the point of this is to bring to your attention mostly old but maybe some new songs that are "face melting" in one way or another.  Sometimes you will know them and some times not.  They will usually be in the format of youtube videos.

So lets kick this thing off with something memorable and going off the spirit of humor behind the actual name of the blog.

Who could forget this song?  mmm not me  LISTEN  The canadian band actually got three Grammy nods for their album and the album this song was on sold over 5.5 million copies.  You tell me if the albums were kept or if you will find them at your local used cd shops.