Track One: The Cure- Underneath The Stars

I will never forget the the night I heard this song live for the first time. It was 2009 and I was at Coachella and The Cure were headlining the final night of the weekend. I was already beyond excited as this was my first time seeing them and it was everything I wanted and more. On this evening, I distinctly remember it being a very clear night with a ton of stars lighting up the sky so when The Cure took the stage and began with “Underneath The Stars” track one off of their most recent album at the time, 4:13 Dream, it was one of those “meant to be” moments. As a long time fan of The Cure, I love this song. It’s got a very classic vibe to it that could easily be found on an album like The Head On The Door or Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. As a track one, this song sets up the album perfectly. I find 4:13 Dream to be a bit of an overlooked album in the bands catalog. It’s full of so many great songs including “The Only One,” “Freakshow” and “Sleep When I’m Dead” which actually was written for 1985’s The Head On The Door. So when you listen to this album you get a very interesting cross section of The Cure but, that first song, just really hits the right feels. If you’ve never listened to this song, you are surely missing out!

The Cure- Underneath The Stars:

New Release: Noel Gallagher- Pretty Boy (Robert Smith Remix)

As much as I am dying for an Oasis reunion (Noel and Liam please bury whatever crap is going on between you two and get the damn band back together), I will gladly take a new solo album from Noel (and Liam). Noel is one hell of a songwriter as you very well know. His new album, Council Skies arrives June 2nd. It will be the first album Gallagher has recorded in his own recording studio: Lone Star Studios as well as having legendary guitarist Johnny Marr of The Smiths guesting on three songs including the first single “Pretty Boy.” Speaking of “Pretty Boy” today, a new remix version of the song was released. Robert Smith of The Cure was asked to remix the song by Noel. The end result is pretty damn good. The remix that Robert did gives it more atmosphere and a bit of a different edge to it. Speaking about how this came about Robert said “I was surprised and delighted when Noel asked me to remix this gorgeous song, and I had a lot of fun slowing it down and spacing it out – Cure drummer Jason Cooper gave me a great vibey drum track to play along with – and the rest just phased into place under the starry sky of my distant moon.” And just like that the stars aligned to make this song into something quite cool. Noel will be on tour this summer in the US with Garbage!

Noel Gallagher- Pretty Boy (Robert Smith Remix):

Noel Gallagher- Pretty Boy (Album Version):

Johnny Marr working on “Pretty Boy”:

Cover Comparison: Professional Murder Music VS The Smashing Pumpkins (The Cure)- A Night Like This

The other day I had a song stuck in my head and after about 10 minutes I remembered who the band was and I went and put it on. The band was Professional Murder Music, who you might remember from the early 2000’s and their inclusion on the End Of Days soundtrack with their song “Slow.” While listening to their album, I remembered their very great cover of The Cure’s “A Night Like This.” While listening to that I thought, I should listen to another cover of the song by The Smashing Pumpkins. The pumpkins version is sung by James Iha so it has a different vibe than you’d normally get as we are so used to Billy/William as the singer. So I spent some time with both and I have my favorite of the two. Which one do you prefer?

Professional Murder Music- A Night Like This:

The Smashing Pumpkins (James Iha on Vocals)- A Night Like This:

Anticipated Albums of 2022

I have hope that 2022 will be a good year. Not that 2021 was all that bad, at least it wasn’t 2020 all over again. We did after all get some amazing new albums in 2021. Now that we are in 2022, there are a ton of new albums that I’m sure will make the end of the year lists vert difficult to put in order. Here’s a list of the bands with the most anticipated albums of 2022 (I’m sure I missed some. So If I did, let me know)!!!

Centershift- A Different Shade Of…
NVision-
Black Map- Melodoria
Cave In
The Cure
Coheed and Cambria
Crosses
Dead Cross
Ghost
Greg Puciatio- Mirrorcell
H09909 (Horror)
Korn- Requiem
Loathe
Megadeth- The Sick. The Dying. The Dead
Rammstein
Author & Punisher
Once Human
Machine Head
Jimmy Eat World
The Smashing Pumpkins
Chelsea Wolfe
In Parallel
Nine Inch Nails
If It Kills You
Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals
Be Well
Anthrax
Baroness
Cult Leader
The Cult
Darkest Hour
Deadsy?
Filter
Jane’s Addiction?
Placebo
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Rollin Coffin
Deaf Club
Kiss The Scientist
Duhkha

Collaborations: Churches with Robert Smith- How Not To Drown

A few days ago, Chvrches released a new song featuring Robert Smith of The Cure. The song “How Not To Drown” is a stunning song. The driving synthpop sensibilities mixed with bits of electronica and a hint of post-punk. The song is featured on their upcoming album, Screen Violence (out August 27th). I’ve probably listened to this song at least 50 times since it’s release. It’s super catchy but, not in the annoying Top 40 Pop way. Chvrches definitely have depth to their sound and style. They are also one of the bands that I like to put on to break up the heavy in my listening. Stoked to see what else they have in store on this new album!

Chvrches with Robert Smith- How Not To Drown:

Collaborations: Blink 182 & Robert Smith of The Cure

Back in late 2003, Blink 182 released their fifth album. On this self titled album, it not only showed these guys growing up and maturing but, also showed a whole other side of themselves with the songs written for this one. I remember liking this album a lot and over the years I’ve really come to appreciate it even more. I’ll never forget listening to this album for the first time and when it got to track number 12, I was completely taken aback by the song. Robert Smith from The Cure collaborated on this song and it’s quite possibly one of the best Blink 182 songs they’ve ever written. Interestingly too, this song would have been a single for the band had they not broken up in 2005. Another fun story about this collaboration is that, Robert Smith recorded his parts in England and took a significant amount of time recording the song, to the point that the band was unsure of whether or not his contribution would make the record. The band was waiting on Robert’s contribution to the song which showed up only mere hours before they had to turn the album into the label. If you’ve never listened to Blink 182’s 2003 self titled album, you should. It’s quite a good album full of great well written songs. It’s also not the same childish Blink that you would normally associate them with.

Blink 182 w/ Robert Smith- All Of This:

Blink 182 w/ Robert Smith- All Of This (LIVE):

Anticipated Albums of 2020

A new year brings new albums to be released. 2020 is sure to be chock full of new releases by your favorites. I’ve started to compile a list of the bands who I believe are releasing new albums this year as the most anticipated. I know I’m missing some, so with that in mind who are you looking forward to new music from?

 

2020 Anticipated Albums:

 

Deftones
The Cure
Guns N Roses?
Mastodon
Foo Fighters
The Smashing Pumpkins
Pearl Jam
ACDC
Spirit In The Room
Clint Lowery
Carcass
Gojira
Lamb Of God
Megadeth
Nine Inch Nails
Sevendust
Rob Zombie
Every Time I Die
Marilyn Manson
Power Trip
Dead Cross
Run The Jewels
Placebo

 

 

 

List: Best UK Bands

The other day I was hanging out with a friend and I presented him with a question, who are the best UK bands of all time. So, we sat there for a few minutes and created a list that pretty much sums up the best bands from the region. There are so many bands from that area but, the impact the ones on this list had made them the standouts. This list is in no particular order as well. And your input is always greatly appreciated to make this list complete.

01) The Beatles
02) The Rolling Stones
03) David Bowie
04) The Who
05) Pink Floyd
06) The Kinks
07) Led Zeppelin
08) Cream
09) Joy Division
10) Sex Pistols
11) The Clash
12) Radiohead
13) Depeche Mode
14) The Cure
15) New Order
16) Black Sabbath
17) Iron Maiden
18) Motorhead
19) Judas Priest
20) Oasis
21) Placebo
22) Blur
23) The Smiths
24) The Cult
25) Oceansize

Same Name Songs: The Cure VS U2- Drowning Man

I love finding songs that have the same title as another band. It makes for a very interesting listening experience as well as makes you wonder which song is better. Over the years, there have been many many same name songs that have led to great conversations and this one I believe will do just that. Two very prolific bands, with two very well revered albums that both happen to have come out around the same time (at least a couple years close). The song in question today is “Drowning Man” and both The Cure and U2 have songs by that name. I’m curious to know what one you think is the “better” one. Personally I enjoy both tremendously but, if I had to pick one, I’d probably go with The Cure but, only my a small margin.

 

The Cure- Drowning Man (from Faith):

 

 
U2- Drowning Man (from War):

 

Cover Song: Cave In (The Cure)- Plainsong

I love Cave In. Every album this band has put out is tremendous. They have never been one to stay complacent with the music they write or the direction the want to go. Back in the year 2000, Cave In was asked to contribute to a tribute album to The Cure. They chose to cover “Plainsong” from the album Disintegration. The Cave In version turned out really cool and spaced out. Check it out!!!

 

Cave In (The Cure)- Plainsong: