Deep Cuts: Bush- Alien

Ever since Bush released their new album, The Art Of Survival back in October, I’ve been delving back into their catalog. If you haven’t heard their new album, I recommend it a lot! It’s quite good. It picks up where their previous album, The Kingdom left off. While going back through the albums, I remembered one song that I fell in love with many years ago when I was listening to Sixteen Stone. That song would be “Alien.” This deep cut is tremendous. It’s the song that should’ve ended Sixteen Stone, in my opinion. When you get to this song in order of the album, there is something about it that sort of encapsulates the themes of the record. Lyrically it can be taken in different ways but, it always felt like a song that was rooted in a sense of pain and loneliness. Gavin’s voice on the track carry the emotions in an interesting sway with the music. It feels epic while at the same time a mission statement of a song. “Alien” is one of the songs in Bush’s catalog that needs to be a part of their set list. Take a few moments to delve into this one!

Bush- Alien (Album Version):

Bush- Alien (Live):

Deep Cuts: The Mars Volta- Televators

The other night at The Cobalt Presents show I was part of putting on (which you should definitely be coming out to), the excellent DJ we have at our events (Thank You, Johnny Scott Gramercy) played a song in between bands that I haven’t heard in quite some time. While listening to it, I went into a bit of a trance as the song shifted my attention. That evening I put The Mars Volta’s epic masterpiece, De-loused In The Comatorium on as my go to bed album. Of course I didn’t fall asleep to it like I planned, instead I became comepletey consumed by the album like I did the very first time I listened to it. Then when it got to “Televators” (the song played at the show), I found myself completely in awe of the song again. It’s one of those songs that in the context of the album is so perfectly placed, and as a stand alone track, it’s quite the trip. The Mars Volta’s debut album is a perfect album start to finish. “Televators” is one of the hidden gems of their catalog! Enjoy!

The Mars Volta- Televators (Album Version):

The Mars Volta- Televators (Live At Electric Ballroom, London- 2003):

Deep Cuts: White Zombie- Warp Asylum

The other day I was watching an interview with 3/4 of White Zombie as they were talking about the 30th anniversary of the album, La Sexorcisto Devil Music Vol 1. It’s quite a good interview with really good stories about the making of the album and the early years of the band before their eventual breakup. The moment the interview was over, I put on La Sexorcisto and it took me back to when I first heard it when I was a kid. The songs are still kick ass, the production on it is crisp and punchy and the album still holds up great! Of course everyone knows the song “Thunder Kiss 65” but the real gems on this album are the deep cuts. My favorite of those deep cuts happens to be the last song on the album “Warp Asylum.” I love this song. It’s got all the right groove and is the perfect ending to this great album! Now how about a damn White Zombie Reunion Already!!!

White Zombie- Warp Asylum:

Deep Cuts: Metallica- The God That Failed

Metallica’s “Black Album” has so many hit songs it’s not even funny. Even with all those, there’s still some other gems that are often overlooked like this deep cut, “The God That Failed.” This song has an interesting story behind it as it’s based on James Hetfield’s experience with his mother’s death and her beliefs in Christian Science to rid her of the cancer that was killing her. This isn’t the first song nor the last to touch on this subject in the Metallica catalog. Another interesting fact about the song is that, this song was never released as a single, but was the first of the album’s songs to be heard by the public. “The God That Failed” has been played live over 100 times since the release of the “Black Album.”

Metallica- The God That Failed:

Deep Cuts: The Smashing Pumpkins- United States

The times we are living in at the moment are pretty interesting. It’s a series of uncertainties and possibilities that could go one way or another. One thing that I’ve found to be very captivating is that so many things from the past have come back full circle or have been sort of prophesied. Which brings me to today’s song. Back in 2007, The Smashing Pumpkins reformed with Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin to make an album that really saw ahead into the future. The album is Zeitgeist and when you sit and listen and follow along to the words, you start to see so many things mentioned in those songs coming to life today. One song in particular, “United States” is so perfect for right now. It’s really interesting to listen to this album in the world today and see how it all came true.

The Smashing Pumpkins- United States:

Deep Cuts: Nine Inch Nails- That’s What I Get

I really love going back through albums at different points in time and connecting with songs that I might have not had that connection with at first. On Nine Inch Nails debut album Pretty Hate Machine, there is one song in particular that stood out on my most recent listen. “That’s What I Get” is that song and the more I listen to it now, I hear so many different things in it. This song has an interesting history too. The song was not originally intended to the be on the album, but was rather meant for b-side material, due to not fitting in lyrically with the rest of the songs. Which makes total sense. This track also harks back to “Down In It” based on the use of the same recognizable melodic synth voice. Also, it sort of feels like a precursor to some of the songs on The Fragile in a strange way. When you listen to it and hone in on the verses musically along with the “hammer” synth bassline, there is some of that on songs like “The Mark Has Been Made,” “The Way Out Is Through.” Either way, this song is a great deep cut in the Nine Inch Nails catalog to sink your teeth into.

Nine Inch Nails- That’s What I Get:

 

That’s What I Get (Live 1990):

 

Deep Cuts: Soundgarden

Today marks 3 years since the passing of Chris Cornell, I thought why not celebrate him with some really awesome deep cuts from Soundgarden’s catalog. I’m sure we are all at the point where we’ve heard “Black Hole Sun” and a few others enough times now. So, this will be fun to explore.

 

From Louder Than Love:

Uncovered:

 

From Badmotorfinger:

Mind Riot:

 

Holy Water:

 

 

From Superunknown:

Limo Wreck:

 

 

 

From Down On The Upside:

Tighter & Tighter:

 

 

No Attention:

 

 

Deep Cuts: The Dillinger Escape Plan- Phone Home

Back in 2004, when The Dillinger Escape Plan released their second album, Miss Machine, it saw the band move in a more experimental direction. Due to the band previously collaborating with Mike Patton and welcoming in new singer Greg Puciato, the influences from both began to rub off on the band. While Calculating Infinity was a straight up assault, Miss Machine had something more to offer like slower tempos, more dynamics, clean vocals, as well as an electronic/industrial tinge and jazz fusion elements. One such song that has always caught my attention on the album is the track “Phone Home.” This song has a very Nine Inch Nails feel to it. Which is perhaps why I’ve always been drawn to it. Take a couple mins and enjoy this deep cut from one of the most creative bands of the last 20 years.

 

The Dillinger Escape Plan- Phone Home:

 

Deep Cuts: Rage Against The Machine- Ashes In The Fall

With the news of Rage Against The Machine returning, it’s gotten a lot of people excited. I’m excited but, I have my own apprehensions about it all (more on that to come later this week). That being said though, their final studio album, The Battle of Los Angeles has just passed the 20 year anniversary milestone. I remember buying the album the day it came out and being really stoked on it. Of course the singles like, “Guerilla Radio” and “Sleep Now In The Fire” are rad but, there is one song in particular on the album that has always stood out to me and since than, has become my favorite Rage Against The Machine song. I’m talking about “Ashes In The Fall.” It’s one hell of a great song and it’s chock full of great Tom Morello guitar moments. The dynamic shifts in the song too, are stellar. Everything about this song is perfect. Enjoy this song. I sure do hope they play this song live more often. The lyrics are beyond fitting in today’s society.
Rage Against The Machine- Ashes In The Fall:

 

Deep Cuts: Pearl Jam- Green Disease

This topic is pretty self explanatory. It’s all about exploring the deep cuts off certain albums.

Pearl Jam are one of those bands with an extensive catalog and so many great songs. A lot of these songs are not as recognized and that’s a shame because, there truly are a plethora of underappreciated songs. One song that I’ve always held in this regard is “Green Disease” from their 2002 album, Riot Act. The album itself features a diverse sound, including songs influenced by folk, art/alternative rock and some experimental rock. Lyrically, it’s one of the bands more political efforts as this album was influenced by the September 11 attacks and the changing political climate that followed. Which is where “Green Disease” plays a pivitol role on the album. Each Pearl Jam album always seems to have that one song that is very “punk” based in nature and this is that song for Riot Act. The song is all about greed and the despicable nature of it. The song is written by Eddie Vedder but, without the other guys in the band, it just wouldn’t have the same impact. This is also one of those songs that is a crowd pleaser too, though it’s only been played 65 times since the albums release.

Green Disease (from Riot Act):

 

 

Green Disease (live at Madison Square Garden):