Take it back

Birthdays always cause me to get a bit nostalgic. To the average person, this would mean thinking fondly of old memories and looking up old friends. To me, this means digging back through my music library.

I started this birthday as I've started every birthday for nearly 10 years: by listening to Happy Birthday to Me by The Vandals. This quickly threw me back into my teenhood love of punk rock. I immediately started listening to the classics; Lagwagon, NOFX, Dropkick, Flogging Molly. All was right in the world.

It was thus, fitting, or perhaps telling, that I would, during this time, stumble accross The Roman Line. To make life simple, this is drag 'em out, drink 'em down, rowdy boys, gang-vocaled punk rock. Fueled in a line similar to Dropkick or Floggin, The Roman Line is Ontario's answer to Canadian Irish descendants who want to play music.

So enjoy the tune, and try not to get drunk just watching the video.



-What men like you have witnessed, I have endured

Happy Birthday to me, Love SK

So, this is one of those one's I'd been holding onto for a special occasion. For starters, I talk about Jordan Cook too much (and still don't have the bloody album), and for finishers (huh?) you don't talk about a band this epic on any old day.

"There is something in the water of Saskatoon."

No shit.

Wide Mouth Mason was one of my favorite bands when I was growing up. They found a fantastic mix of blues, funk and rock. In recent years, I've discovered my new God (sorry Dave) Mr. Jordan Cook. Add to that Curtis Scarrow (one hell of a shredder himself), SJ Kardash on bass, Danny White on drums, and Manitoba's own Big Dave McLean and fuck me sideways do you get something special.

So special, why not call it Guitarmageddon? I could talk forever about talent, tightness, songwriting ability and other traits which make this supergroup amazing, however there is really only one thing you need to know: They fucking love playing music.



-For my birthday, I want rock

What the hell is this?

I'm still not sure if this is going to be the trio, or just another solo album. So far, we've got the JM Duo, but Pino is missing from the picture.

Either way... just listen to that groove. That's an 8 string guitar (bass and guitar on the same neck) and it sounds oh so sweet.



-Nobody's angel but your own

Repentless?

I've always respected Ben Harper a great deal, even when I didn't enjoy the music he was creating. He has to be one of the hardest working musicians in the industry and is constantly changing things around and experimenting with new directions to keep his music constantly pushing forward.

After years of solo acoustic work, tours with the Innocent Criminals, and a collaboration with the Blind Boys of Alabama, I don't think anyone could have predicted his next step. At the same time, we shouldn't be surprised when he hooks up with a Texas blues rock band called Relentless7.

I think Ben has realized what so few musicians stumble across in their lives; music needs to evolve to stay interesting. This statement is particularly true if you are doing it for a living. Nothing could be as satisfying as stumbling across a new sound and exploring a world which was previously foreign to you. If you don't believe me, just watch how much they are able to get into the music and agree that Ben likely couldn't still perform Steal My Kisses with that kind of intensity.



-Give us more than we bargained for

Prehistoric Elephants

I grabbed a copy of Mastodon's latest effort, Crack the Skye the other day. I admit, I walked into this album as a skeptic. After Blood Mountain, one of the most epic and original pieces of work in the metal world, likely for decades, I figured it would be an impossible act to follow.

Before I give my 2 cents on this album though, I do have to give a caveat. Whatever I feel or say about this band and album is sullied, because they're cheating. I pretty much figured that anyone able to write music this complex, strange and convoluted must be on acid. Low and behold when I realized how right I was.

Life has not been easy as a member of Mastodon. To say that the past few years of success under Blood Mountain have been a cake walk would be a massive understatement. Brent Hinds (Vox/Guitar) suffered a brain hemorrhage that almost killed him. Bill Kelliher (Guitar) suffered from a case of alcoholism which debilitated his body so badly, he was "days from death". Brann Dailor's (Drums) mother was left homeless after her boyfriend died in their sleep. This is only the start of a long list of things which plagued the band.

However, come shining out the back-end is Crack the Skye. I was almost guaranteed that Mastodon would suffer post-success syndrom, but I was so very wrong. Some people might complain about a 9 track album, however it comes in just under 60 minutes, and is some of the most mind-warping shit you will hear. 13 minute epics such as The Last Baron are achievements which most people only dream of accomplishing.

Really... what have you done with your life?



-Show me fire with no smoke