skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Let me tell you something... Finding and owning a copy of this CD is truly a dream come true. For those of you not in the know, The Wildbunch was the original band name of Electric Six! And if you know me, you know I'm into this group like they were a religion.
I ran across this disc on eBay and bought it straight away. I won't tell you how much I paid because it's quite a bit for one used CD. Especially this one. Don't get me wrong, I love this album, but it's not up to the standard you're normally accustom to with E6.
This is a live concert set performed by The Wildbunch back on November 26, 1997 at The Gold Dollar in Detroit according to the insert. What makes this release so interesting is the fact I get to hear one of my favorite bands of all time when they were first starting out. I get to hear the live progression of their sound. I also get to hear a bunch of early songs they didn't use when they changed their name and started releasing as Electric Six. Some of these songs survived but many of them didn't.
Dick Valentine delivers another inspired performance and you can hear him commit to the material just as strongly then as he does today. This is a vocalist who does more than just sing. He adopts a persona and performs not just as a singer, but as a character. His ability to completely transform himself is one of the most amazing qualities an artist can have. He leaves the pretentiousness and pomp of Dick Valentine on the stage when he's not performing and becomes one of the most genuine human beings you'll ever meet. It's inspiring.
There are a few covers included in this set. The first is 'The Model' by Kraftwerk. A most unusual song to find on this record, but one I think is also pretty cool. It's followed a couple tracks later by Alice Cooper's 'Clones (We're All)'. Another great number performed here. The Verve Pipe's 'The Freshman' is performed acoustically by Dick sort of as a joke. Earlier in the set, he tells the crowd if they don't get $100 in merch sales, he's going to perform the song and because they fail to make the target, he does the tune. First off, it's a great cover, Dick does an excellent job, I don't know why it would be so horrible to hear him perform it and seriously, I drop $100 bucks just by myself at the merch table when I see them perform. It should also be mentioned, it's not listed on the tracklist even though it has a dedicated track on the disc. Meaning, the tracklist on the album cover lists 22 songs but there are 23 on the disc. I'm guessing it's because they didn't have the rights for the song. But that's just a wild guess.
Discogs.com lists 'I'm A Demon' as a cover and I had to look it up because it seems like such a perfect E6 title to me. However, it seems it is Roky Erickson's track, 'I'm A Demon' is from his 1986 album, "Gremlins Have Pictures". I listened to his version on Youtube and it's definitely a cover. Darn it. Great tune.
There's a lot of Greatest Hits material here from Electric Six's first record, "Fire" including the international smash hit, 'Gay Bar'. So much to consume and consider. A lot of this material ended up on "Fire" or subsequent albums. Some of the tracks ended up as single b-sides. A few of them show up in demo form on "Sexy Trash" and some of them just sorta disappear into the ether.
This isn't a highly polished live outing. It's a rough and hard explosion of a band cutting its teeth and paying its dues. The songs are super short and there are a couple obvious cuts letting you know without a doubt, you aren't getting the full show. I'm not sure how many songs they actually played that night, but this is amazing for a young band. This is an epic moment in the development and history of one of America's greatest Independent bands. And a true treasure! My final words: ONE OF MY PRIZED MUSICAL POSSESSIONS! EXCELLENT GLIMPSE INTO EARLY ELECTRIC SIX!
THE WILDBUNCH - DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE ROBOT LIVE AT THE GOLD DOLLAR
01. Nuclear War (On The Dance Floor)
02. Speak English
03. Naked Pictures
04. The Model
05. Computer
06. The Ballade Of MC Sucka DJ
07. Clones
08. Immolate Me
09. Taxi To Nowhere
10. Don't Be Afraid Of The Robot
11. Breaking Up
12. I'm On Acid
13. R U Afraid Of The Devil?
14. Meat The Band
15. I Am The Knife
16. I Am Detroit
17. I Lost Control (Solo)
18. The Freshman
19. I'm A Demon
20. Tiny Little Men
21. Take Off Your Clothes
22. Gay Bar
23. I Know Karate
"The Last Tour On Earth" is a companion piece to Manson's "Mechanical Animals". It's an edited show from the "Mechanical Animals Tour". A lot of bands around this time were releasing these live companion albums. I guess they used them to drive up ticket sales. For the most part, I'm OK with these, but I'm also disappointed.
"Mechanical Animals" is my favorite Manson album and I saw this tour in Vegas at the Hard Rock on New Years Eve. As many times as I've seen Marilyn Manson live, this was also my favorite tour. And that's why I'm disappointed in this release.
Some bands would release an entire show on CD and video, but Marilyn Manson released this edited version of a show. It certainly contains most of the show's highlight numbers. The most famous and notorious of the bunch being 'I Don't Like The Drugs (But The Drugs Like Me)'. At this point, I don't really remember the entire show, but I do remember being extremely upset certain songs didn't make it on this release.
I really feel like Manson's band was in the pocket during this tour. The show was tight, the special effects and onstage art was beyond amazing to see. At one point, Manson appears crucified on a cross made of televisions.
I've never been a huge fan of Manson's earlier albums. I did buy them because I thought they were interesting but compared to the subsequent music he would record and release, I find a lot of it useless. If you could delete the first couple Manson releases and start his career with "Antichrist Superstar" I'd probably be a bigger fan. The inclusion of 'Get Your Gunn' and 'Lunchbox' over a number of "Mechanical Animals" tracks that were cut out like 'Coma White' or 'The Speed Of Pain' is absolutely painful. As thematic and conceptualized this album and tour was, those earlier numbers just seem out of place and distracting.
The disc also features a segue way intro dubbed into the first live song from the set and the last track is an unreleased song they added. It's kinda cool to have a new song, but I still feel like this particular release would've fared better with a full version of the concert and none of the bells and whistles they added or edited out to make what they thought was a more commercial product.
My final words: A LIVE DISC I HATE AS MUCH AS I LOVE. IN THE END, THE ALBUM LEAVES ME UNFULFILLED AND IN THAT SENSE, I DEEM IT A BUST.
MARILYN MANSON - THE LAST TOUR ON EARTH
01. Inauguration Of The Mechanical Christ
02. The Reflecting God
03. Great Big White World
04. Get Your Gunn
05. Sweet Dreams / Hell Outro
06. Rock Is Dead
07. The Dope Show
08. Lunchbox
09. I Don't Like The Drugs (But The Drugs Like Me)
10. Antichrist Superstar
11. The Beautiful People
12. Irresponsible Hate Anthem
13. The Last Day On Earth
14. Astonishing Panorama Of The Endtimes
"Lost Highway" is the soundtrack of the movie with the same name. How I came to own this little gem is a story in itself and I think I'll share it with you.
I can't remember the exact date but I was at a Marilyn Manson concert and he played 'Apple Of Sodom'. I'd never heard the song before and I absolutely loved it. The performance was eerie and compelling at the same time. I couldn't take my eyes off him. I couldn't understand the lyrics, but a little bit of research online and I eventually found a message board where some kid who'd seen the same tour in another city posted his feelings about the tour and he mentioned the title of the song and how surprised he was to have seen it in the live set. Once I had the title, I was able to find out where I could get the song and as luck would have it, I found this disc in a used music store on my first attempt to find it. If I recall, it only cost $4.
The album has since taken a more esteemed place in my music collection as I discovered Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails produced the project and was largely responsible for the sound. It also features tracks by a number of bands I was into at the time including The Smashing Pumpkins, Rammstein and David Bowie.
A couple of composers are also featured on the disc interspersed between band tracks with pieces of film scoring they contributed to the film. One of them writes a form of unconventional Vegas Lounge jazz. There's a lot of dated instruments and the horns are right out of a 50's stripper song catalog. The other composer's pieces are just as creepy, but take on the sound and feel of old time country western films; if they were spooky as hell.
The album starts off with an edit of David Bowie's 'I'm Deranged'. Right around this time, David Bowie's "Outside" was one of my favorite albums. I was utterly enthralled with it and played it constantly. When Bowie started working with Trent Reznor on some mixes for 'The Heart's Filthy Lesson', I thought I was in heaven. I would eventually see them share the stage at a concert they played together in Vegas. As an "Outside" track, 'I'm Deranged' was already a favorite of mine. It's inclusion here only makes the soundtrack that much more satisfying for me. As the last track on the album, it reprises and takes the listener out on the same note they came in on.
You know, I've never actually seen this movie, but based on the soundtrack, I'm guessing it was bizarre and strange. I feel confident that guess is accurate.
Although I'm tempted to break the disc down track by track, many of these songs appear on other albums and I'm sure I'll discuss them at length on those reviews. So I'll focus on the highlights. Manson's 'Apple Of Sodom' is a disturbed number that absolutely lived up to my expectations. I find the studio track just as interesting and thought provoking as the version I saw live. Manson is also featured on 'I Put A Spell On You', a song he covered on one of his earlier records. It's inclusion heightens the dark themes of the compilation and simultaneously introduces a supernatural element to the mix.
Rammstein appear on two tracks. Both are edits of songs from their albums, "Sehnsucht" and "Herzeleid". The tracks in question, 'Rammstein (Edit)' and 'Heirate Mich (Edit)' are right at home on this moody assemblage. Till's deep growling vocal delivery adds to the tension of the overall feel of the disc. The Smashing Pumpkins, ever the masters of genre bending composition appear on one track, 'Eye' and somehow, even though I would say it's the most different sounding number on the disc, it still blends and adds to the mystery.
Lou Reed appears on a cover of 'This Magic Moment' and again, his unorthodox vocals take a perfectly innocent song and bends it to a sinister end. One of the most interesting things about this album is the tracks Trent Reznor contributes to the film score. If I'm not mistaken, this is his first attempt at writing score material. Whether or not I'd call his additions a success is irrelevant to one thing... and that is simply that as the musical director of this project, he succeeds in creating an artistic, moody combination of music that initially would seem musically at odds, but somehow finds a resolution that creates an intense feeling of anxiety and paranoia as you follow along.
I should also point out Reznor's popular music moniker, Nine Inch Nails, is also part of the mix with the track he also released as a single, 'The Perfect Drug'.
This is certainly a disturbing compilation of material and it's definitely worth exploring if you're into any of the artists and bands featured on the disc. If you can track it down, experience the strange for yourself. My final words: REZNOR'S FIRST FORAY INTO FILM MUSIC IS A DARK AND STORMY SUCCESS.
LOST HIGHWAY - LOST HIGHWAY
01. David Bowie - I'm Deranged (Edit)
02. Trent Reznor - Videodrones: Questions
03. Nine Inch Nails - The Perfect Drug
04. Angelo Badalamenti - Red Bats With Teeth
05. Angelo Badalamenti - Haunting & Heartbreaking
06. The Smashing Pumpkins - Eye
07. Angelo Badalamenti - Dub Driving
08. Barry Adamson - Mr. Eddy's Theme 1
09. Lou Reed - This Magic Moment
10. Barry Adamson - Mr. Eddy's Theme 2
11. Angelo Badalamenti - Fred & Renee Make Love
12. Marilyn Manson - Apple Of Sodom
13. Antonio Carlos Jobim - Insensatez
14. Barry Adamson - Something Wicked This Way Comes (Edit)
15. Marilyn Manson - I Put A Spell On You
16. Angelo Badalamenti - Fats Revisited
17. Angelo Badalamenti - Fred's World
18. Rammstein - Rammstein (Edit)
19. Barry Adamson - Hollywood Sunset
20. Rammstein - Heirate Mich (Edit)
21. Angelo Badalamenti - Police
22. Trent Reznor - Driver Down
23. David Bowie - I'm Deranged (Reprise)
As much as it pains me to admit this... I didn't know who The Ting Tings were until after their 3rd album was released. "We Started Nothing" is their first and frankly, if I'd heard it earlier I would've been on board following this band from day one.
There are so many reasons to like this group but the one I like best is the simple fact they write some of the most fun and energetic pop music I've ever heard. They blend sounds from other genres into their musical stew and somehow it all melts together to form the perfect toasted cheese music sandwich. You just sink your teeth in.
I've talked about this before, but once I'd heard some of their songs I was hooked and in the space of a couple weeks I bought their entire catalog. This is actually the first CD of theirs I owned and it's fantastic!
Right off the bat, 'Great DJ' takes simple lyrics, repetition and a compelling drum beat, throws them together and the result is absolute top-of-your-lungs-in-the-car-driving-window-down-singing good times! There's not a lot of content here as far as lyrics are concerned. It's a very simple story and the repetitive "drums" chant would drive me crazy in a band like The Cranberries, but here it actually works and gets me excited!
There's a punk edge to the sound of this first record and it's here in the second track. 'That's Not My Name' is another power house of a song that's so catchy you can't help but sing along! Between the first two songs, I'm already in the zone and completely grooving. But nothing could prepare me for 'Fruit Machine'. There's something about this tune that brings to mind the rock The Go-Go's used to make. And when you hit the chorus and with Katie White singing "Ka-Ching, Boy", I'm jumping up and down like I was at a B-52's concert. This band has an uncanny knack for writing these incredible hooks and catchy songs. You just can't help but get into them.
Following 'Fruit Machine' is 'Traffic Light' and this song slows things down dramatically. It's a mid-tempo tune that initially sounds like another band. You actually turn around and think to yourself, "Wait, what happened to the CD I was playing?" Eventually, Katie's vocals float in and you realize you're still in the spell of this band. Even a simple song like 'Traffic Light' is good. My favorite bit comes toward the end of the track when they use orchestral sounds to punctuate the lyrics.
'Shut Up And Let Me Go' is easily my favorite track on this disc. Once again, you have the driving punk sound of the drums hammering behind animated vocals. This tune is a forerunner to a funkier sound they explore more on their subsequent albums. The rhythm guitar is absolutely pumpin'! As much as I dig this album, I will put this disc in sometimes and play this track on repeat. If you haven't heard it, stream it on Youtube now and discover this band!
'Keep Your Head' moves the band in yet another direction. The signature drum and guitar are present and driving the track along until suddenly, you get some keyboards motifs jumping in and a fuller band sound suddenly takes over. 'Be The One' comes in at number 7 and is another stunning effort. The melody really stands out on this number. Up to this point, White alternates between singing and an aggressive half shout talking rap style. 'Be The One' showcases her in a softer way. Like 'Traffic Light', this track is sung all the way through and Katie really shines. Jules is also noticeable on vocals here. He sings background.
The album takes another shift with 'We Walk'. There are a lot of elements in this track I'd normally dismiss as ridiculous. It starts off with a piano intro before the percussion kicks in and the drums erupt. White is back to her Speaking/Singing delivery. It's a still a typical Ting Tings song and includes all of the things I like about them, but there's something Broadway about this track. Maybe it's the way the piano plays along with the drum track, but it reminds me of a number that would work in a Broadway musical.
'Impacailla Carpisung' is a song I still haven't quite figured out. The vocals and music sound like a jungle chant. When I hear it I'm reminded of a song Vanity did on her "Skin On Skin" album called 'In The Jungle'. I'm sure if I listened to it right now it wouldn't sound anything like this track, but for some reason, my mind connects the two and they have a similar vibe for me.
'We Started Nothing' ends the album on a high note similar to the one it started on. The funky drumming and rhythm guitar hooks build wonderfully in this tune. White sings the song verging on a falsetto. The strange edge it gives her voice creates a tension they build throughout. Eventually you get some horn parts and it's like an excellent foreshadow in a movie. You can hear the funk direction they'll eventually expand on with the release of "Super Critical".
I realize everything sounds like rainbows and unicorn farts when I write about The Ting Tings, but their music is so infectious I get sucked in and I absolutely love what they do. This is a band I desperately want to see live. It would be quite the experience I imagine.
I find myself checking their website at least once a week because they've posted statements about a new album they're working on. I haven't been this excited for new music since the last Electric Six album came out. This is a band I think everyone should check out. I think you'll find them just as thrilling as I do.
BTW, the reason I have two covers is because I have two copies of this record and one has the yellow cover and one has the red. So I'm including them both.
My final words: THE BEST FRESHMAN OUTING IN A CENTURY!
THE TING TINGS - WE STARTED NOTHING
01. Great DJ
02. That's Not My Name
03. Fruit Machine
04. Traffic Light
05. Shut Up And Let Me Go
06. Keep Your Head
07. Be The One
08. We Walk
09. Impacilla Carpisung
10. We Started Nothing
If there was an ultimate frat band, Broloaf would be it. Don't kid yourself, there's nothing subtle about this group. They're a hardcore party just waiting to happen. If there was a stoner genre in rock, Broloaf would be the defining band.
My first exposure to them was a live performance and it was an experience I'll not soon forget. They started the show passing out beers, doing shots off snowboards to the fans in the front row and throwing what looked like a bag of weed to the crowd.
Musically, they're straightforward punk rock and every song is geared toward partying. If you're looking for hidden meanings, or innuendos, this group really isn't offering what you're searching for. But if you want to rock out, party and laugh your ass off, Broloaf has arrived and is ready to turn your party upside down.
There are certain songs that stand out from others. 'Shredded Weedies' is absolutely hilarious and brilliant. It's easily my favorite track on the album. 'I Wanna Party With You' is also quite enjoyable.
'Skyping With Your Mom' is a track about online masturbation and cam sex. The brilliance of this track is in the relentless combative lyric barrage hurled at you. It's totally on point and not only descriptive, but funny as well. Crude humor poetry.
Musically, they don't diverge from the party atmosphere they create both live and on the record, but that's perfectly fine as that's exactly what this group is trying to achieve.
The best compliment I could give this band is to say this is one group that amps up the energy both live and on the disc. There are some groups who are amazing live, but have horrible albums. And groups with astonishing records that don't convert into an enjoyable live show. Broloaf give it in the studio just as much as they deliver onstage. You'll rock out with this CD blaring from your truck speakers as you will banging your head in a venue!
For the record, I met and hung out with these guys for a few minutes after their set and they're genuinely nice guys. I had an absolute blast meeting them and watching their set.
There are 12 tracks with 2 untitled segue tracks. You can find the titles to the segue tracks on their bandcamp page. You can also order their CDs or download their digital albums there. If you're looking for a soundtrack to the ultimate party, then pick up this disc and throw down with the bros from Broloaf! My final words: MUSIC TO BLOW THE ROOF OFF, DUDE!!!
BROLOAF - BORN TO PARTY
01. Legacy Of Bro-Tality
02. Winning Isn't Everything
03. For The Love Of The Game
04. Personal Best
05. I Wanna Party With You
06. Shredded Weedies
07. Rave Riot
08. Me Time
09. Skyping With Your Mom
10. Brand New Dad
11. Weekend Warriors
12. Executive Decision
13. Johnny Epic
14. After Hours
"Is that an Earthquake??? No - It's Mark Mallman!!!!"
I remember the first time I saw Mark Mallman. I didn't know what to think. I saw him perform live and I couldn't decide if I was freaked out or utterly and completely blown away by his onstage presence. After I'd had time to reflect on it, I realized this was a dynamic musical force I'd just discovered.
Slowly, but surely, I've been picking up his back catalog on eBay and Amazon. I'm exploring his work and I'm finally ready to put some of my thoughts down in this blog. I've noticed a few problems with my writing lately and I'm trying to avoid making them again. Sometimes, I get caught up in a band or an artist and I lose perspective. When I try to write a fair review of someone I'm obviously fascinated with, it often comes out sounding like a sugary gush of rainbow word vomit I mean to sound fair and objective, but instead, it sounds critical or downright negative.
I've decided there's no point in trying to deliver an objective review. Why do I need to find something wrong with a piece of music I'm listening to if I enjoy it? Obviously, reviews ultimately reflect the taste of the reviewer. They're just opinions; and since I buy this music and consume it, I might as well say exactly what I'm thinking. Even if it comes out like a heaping pile of unicorn poo.
Mallman is the American amalgamation of David Bowie and Elton John. Have you ever seen the absolutely brilliant Hedwig And The Angry Inch? As stunning as the soundtrack to that film is, Mallman's music on "Mr. Serious" is just as intriguing. He snatches the very essence of that blues based rock and roll sound, coupled with unusual subject matter I find absolutely compelling and drives it through this disc like a semi-truck bearing down on unsuspecting roadkill.
I'm always drawn to musicians who find the nerve to write about something other than the standard pop fare of love and sometimes politics. And Mallman does this extremely well. He's not limited to conventional thinking about composition or lyrical content. Take 'Executioner'... This highly reflective and distinctive tune sounds like it could appear as a haunting background track for a Tarantino thriller. There's so much happening in the ponderance he conveys in this track. Listen especially to the lines about killing the sparrow. There's regret, but simultaneous resigned acceptance. Highly effective.
In the grand tradition of musical storytellers, Mallman takes us on a journey with songs like 'Still Wasted' and 'Hard Night'. There's the bubbling pent up Americana in songs like 'Anesthesia' and 'I Work Here, I Grew Up Here'.
I'm torn between choosing a favorite on this disc. 'Heart Is A Loaded Weapon' is a track I repeat over and over in my truck because I love the sentiment while at the same time, I dig the pounding piano punctuation creating a rhythm that's so much fun to blast out of my truck windows. I'm also deeply drawn to 'Hardcore Romantics' and 'True Love'. 'Still Wasted' is another track I can't stop repeating. It's got all the pop sensibility of a radio hit and let's face it... It's absolute joy to sing along with.
This rock sound, Mallman expresses sounds both classical and modern at the same time. He's created a hybrid sound that sweetly frames his emotional voice. You hear vulnerability and depth in the way he delivers his secret messages. Words you feel are for you alone. Listen to 'Simply In The Distance' and try to believe he isn't singing directly to you.
If you appreciate strong songwriting, unique voices and craftsman quality musicianship, Mark Mallman is an artist you need to explore. And I mean as soon as possible. My final words: CLIMB ON YOUR ROOF, FLOAT OFF INTO SPACE AND GET WASTED ON THIS CD!!!
MARK MALLMAN - MR. SERIOUS
01. I Just Want To Play Paino
02. Hardcore Romantics
03. True Love
04. Simply In The Distance
05. Still Wasted
06. Executioner
07. Midnight Man
08. Hard Night
09. Proof Is What You Get
10. Anesthesia
11. Heart Is A Loaded Weapon
12. I Work Here, I Grew Up Here
Residual Kid are a band I just saw live in Flagstaff during an Electric Six concert. They were the second of three bands and got upstaged by the antics of Phoenix based party band, Broloaf. When they took the stage, the crowd was so wound up over the loud mashing metal of Broloaf, their alt rock sound seemed almost washed out.
Still, you gotta give em credit, they got up and played their hearts out. It's hard to follow a band who passes out beer and shots to the crowd.
I don't remember much about their set as I was sitting at the bar and by that time, Broloaf were hanging out nearby. It was a bit loud around me and I had a hard time concentrating on what was happening onstage. Still, I'd picked up their CD and was looking forward to giving it a listen.
When I met the band, I was initially surprised at how young they looked. Some of that youthfulness is evident when you hear their album. On first listen, the disc seems to revolve around extremely shallow concepts, but on closer inspection you pick up on the themes they're trying to get across.
For a young band, they've got some interesting musical ideas and I like the fact they don't follow a standard method of composition or playing. There are quite a few outstanding tracks on this disc, but my favorite of the bunch is easily 'Friend'. That song just hammers.
'Purple Shoes' is awesome musically, but the lyrics... Lol, I can't get over the lyrics. Residual Kid are strongly influenced by an alternative rock scene and there's a punk sensibility to what they're doing. They remind me of bands like Green Day who dominated the Alt. Rock scene of the mid to late 90's.
Based out of Austin, Texas, Residual Kid may not be the torch bearers of a California punk movement, but they certainly may herald a new underground music scene happening in their native Texas. You'll just have to stick around and see where they end up.
It would be interesting to see this band play again. This time without the distractions around me. I'd like to give them a fair shot. Based on this disc, I suspect I'd really enjoy their show.
My final words: A FINE BIT OF ROCK FOR YOUR EARS! CHECK IT OUT!
RESIDUAL KID - FACES
01. Faces
02. Friend
03. Purple Shoes
04. Pulling Through
05. Lab Rat
06. Lost Cause
