End Of Album Songs: Cave In- New Moon

Yesterday I saw a post that Cave In’s album Jupiter is now 23 years old. It’s absolutely crazy how fast time is flying by. I remember when this album came out and going to Tower Records during my lunch break in High School to buy it. I’ve listened to this album hundreds of times over the years and I’d more than likely say that Jupiter is my favorite Cave In album. That being said, there is one song I’d like to pinpoint as a standout and that would be the final song on the album, “New Moon.” It’s one of those songs that in the context of the whole album encapsulates what an epic record Jupiter is. The way the song starts as this delicate piece and ends with quite a ruckus is quite the testament to the band as writers and musicians. “New Moon” has only been played live a handful of times (9 according to setlist.fm). I did finally get to hear it live at the Caleb Scofield Tribute show in LA back in 2018 and it was absolutely beautiful. Songs like this that end powerful albums should be celebrated as such.

Cave In- New Moon (Album Version):

New Moon (Live At Roadburn, 2018):

New Moon- Live 2002:

End Of Album Songs: Metallica- Inamorata

On every Metallica album since Ride The Lightning, there has been at least one song that is a bit of an outlier. Now, this song is not always the heaviest track, instead it’s the one that raises your curiosity and shows a different side of the band. Going through the band’s catalog you have songs like “Fade To Black,” “Sanitarium,” “Bleeding Me,” “Halo On Fire” and a few others I could mention. The new Metallica album, 72 Seasons has one for damn sure with “Inamorata.” This track is absolutely one hell of an end of album song but, it’s also one of Metallica’s more epic tracks in a long time. The new album is quite a killer one and this track is the icing on the cake! Take a listen to this gem!

Metallica- Inamorata:

End Of Album Songs: Pixies- Gouge Away

For the past few weeks I’ve been on a big kick of listening to the Pixies. In my deep dive into their catalog, I’ve come to the conclusion many others have as well that Doolittle is one hell of an album and highly influential to so many bands. There really is something special about this album. One day in the near future I will put it all into words but, for right now I just want to focus on the absolute perfection of the final song on the album and that is “Gouge Away.” Every time I hear this song, I don’t want it to end. Sometimes I wish it had a 10 minute solo in the middle of it just because this song is so damn great. Interestingly this song is based on the story of Samson and Delilah. Some think Frank Black is referencing his relationship with bassist Kim Deal, as Frank represents Samson and Kim, Delilah. Other’s think it has to do with heroin addiction. Either way, this song is one hell of a gem and ends Doolittle in perfect fashion. Cheers to the Pixies and their absolute classic album, Doolittle!

Pixies- Gouge Away (Album Version):

End Of Album Songs: Radiohead- The Tourist

Radiohead’s OK Computer is an absolute masterpiece! We already know that. If you’ve never heard the album, you must be living under a rock or in a deep hole. It’s truly one of those albums that will be talked about for centuries. I’m sure you’ve all heard “Paranoid Android” and “Karma Police” as those two have been radio staples for years. There is a specific track on the album that I’d like to highlight and that is the final song on the album, “The Tourist.” This song, every single time I hear it, puts me in this fun trance that takes me away from where I am for a few minutes and I get so immersed in this song. The way it’s written has this “space” to it where the notes, chords, drums, synths, vocals, all hit you in these really interesting moments. There’s something else about “The Tourist” that I have always loved and that while the song has a delicate feel to it, there is a heaviness to the emotional pull that grabs you. Thom Yorke has even said about “The Tourist” “That song was written to me from me, saying, ‘Idiot, slow down.’ Because at that point, I needed to. So that was the only resolution there could be: to slow down.” Which when you think about where Radiohead was at in their career at this point makes a lot of sense. Also, one more thing that I love to do with this song is as it ends, is have Kid A cued up and that little dig at the end of “The Tourist” flows ever so perfectly into “Everything In Its Right Place. Give that a fun try when you get the chance, it’s quite the trippy little nuance!

Radiohead- The Tourist:

Radiohead- Everything In Its Right Place:

End Of Album Songs: Queens Of The Stone Age- I Think I Lost My Headache

The album Rated R by Queens Of The Stone Age is impeccably extraordinary. I still remember hearing this album in the summer of 2000. It was the perfect album for that time and has remained a favorite of mine for many years. One of the things I remember most about the first time I heard this album was the closing song “I Think I Lost My Headache.” The trip of this album is quite a journey that, when you get to this song, it really encapsulates it. Songs like this especially one albums such as Rated R, make a pretty fun and interesting statement.

Queens Of The Stone Age- I Think I Lost My Headache:

End Of Album Songs: Weezer- Only In Dreams

Usually when I write about end of album songs, I include all the songs the band has made to end albums with but, on this one I really want to focus on just this one. I’m still to this day floored by how great the ending of Weezer’s debut album (The Blue Album) is. The song “Only In Dreams” is quite possibly one of the best album closers of an album from the 90’s and in general. The middle section and the dynamic shift of the song is truly spectacular. It’s gradual build that hits with that guitar solo is stunning. Plain and simple, this song is EPIC!!! While listening to this song, you can also tell that there is a direct influence to The Pixies which, Weezer has never shied away from. No matter what though, “Only In Dreams” is the type of song you can start your day off with or end your night and it’s just perfect!

 

Weezer- Only In Dreams:

 

End Of Album Songs: Nine Inch Nails

It’s no secret that I have a deep affinity for Nine Inch Nails. Ever since I first heard the band back in 1990, I’ve been enthralled by what Trent has created. Each album has it’s own unique way of taking you on this journey that is really hard to explain. It’s like you are sucked in to every emotion and ride the wave. That’s part of what makes Nine Inch Nails albums so great. From start to finish and with every listen there is something special about the songs and how the ebb and flow just takes you away. So, take a deeper dive into the end of album songs by Nine Inch Nails.

 
Ringfinger (from Pretty Hate Machine):

 

Suck (from Broken):

 

 
Hurt (from The Downward Spiral):

 

 
Ripe With Decay (from The Fragile):

 

 
Right Where It Belongs (from With Teeth):

 

 
Zero Sum (from Year Zero):

 

 
Demon Seed (from The Slip):

 

 
Black Noise (from Hestitation Marks):

 

 
Burning Bright (Field On Fire) (from Not The Actual Events):

 

 
The Background World (from Add Violence):

 

 
Over and Out (from Bad Witch):

 

End Of Album Songs: Deftones

I’m sure a lot of you have noticed through your music listening experiencing how impactful some bands end of album songs are. Certain bands really have a knack of putting “that” song as the last song and creating a visceral experience. One band I’ve noticed over the years that have really embraced the end of album song is Deftones. Not so much on Adrenaline but from Around The Fur onwards they really know how to end their albums.

End Of Album Songs: Metallica

What else is there to say about Metallica that hasn’t already been said? Over the past few days I’ve been on a Metallica kick, and while listening back to all their albums (yes even St. Anger), I noticed how strong their ending songs all are. From their newest, “Spit Out The Bone,” all the way back to “Metal Militia” and probably the best one “The Outlaw Torn,” there is no doubting Metallica knows how to properly end an album.

End Of Album Songs: Baroness

Baroness have long proved to be masters of epic songs. Each of their albums have gotten better and better as time goes on. Like Mastodon, Baroness have really carved out a niche within the heavy music community. It’s wonderful to watch a band grow over the years to craft something special and epic. Personally, I really dig on the closing song off their Purple album “If I Have To Wake Up.” That song is beyond beautiful.