Anti-Top Songs

Everyone’s been making lists it seems on their favorite bands and songs lately.  I would suspect that many of the songs chosen are happy songs and remind one of the better times in life.  I contributed my top albums recently and even added some favorite tunes too.

I am curious though…  What songs made you sad?  That is a question I don’t think I would ponder much considering I prefer happiness.

Well a friend of mine had asked for some sorrowful reminding tunes for a college project and I happily (sadly?) obliged.  It took me a few days to think back to the bad times.  It was not easy but I came up with a few.  This is not a top 10 or top anything.  It is just a list.

Here are some sad songs that I chose.  Some of them I listened to alone as a teen when I just felt I could not figure out life.  Others have meaning behind them and can bring a tear to my eye depending on the day I am having.  One is even so happy it makes me sad…

The Verve – “Bittersweet Symphony”

NIN – “That’s What I Get”

Johnny Cash covering NIN’s “Hurt”

Tricky – “Makes Me Wanna Die”

Jeff Buckley – “Hallelujah”

Joey Ramone singing “What A Wonderful World”

Beck – “Lost Cause”

Ben Folds Five – “Brick”

Not to put a damper on your weekend, but what are some of the saddest songs you have ever heard?

LeATHERMOUTH – XO – CD Review

Angry Bunny Mask Wearing Guys
Angry Bunny Mask Wearing Guys

Hardcore act LeATHERMOUTH, a side project including My Chemical Romance’s Frank Iero, released XO recently on Epitaph Records

Before you even start thinking bad things let me say that LeATHERMOUTH is not My Chemical Romance nor is their sound remotely close.  Don’t judge this band until you pop the CD in and hear it for yourself as it has nothing to do with happy times or even emo pop punk.  XO is brutal and has the anger of Gallows combined with the outspoken reflection on the world like the Dead Kennedys, a nice combination I might add.  Add some fuming hate that has been building up for years and you have yourself one pissed off release.

Having not researched the band prior to my first listen, the only thing I knew about LeATHERMOUTH was that they, according to the CD booklet, were “bass, drums, two electric guitars, and vocals.”  After some research I learned that they are a hardcore band formed almost out of pure bottled up anger by the guitarist of the chart topping wonders My Chemical Romance. 

The band was actually formed by friends of Frank Iero who finally joined them after the band stated that their initial lead singer failed to write lyrics for the songs they created.  Hearing this disappointing news, Frank Iero took the reigns as the lead singer of the band and wrote all the lyrics for the songs. 

I still was not convinced of the idea of an almost pop punk band member being in a hardcore side project and almost passed on listening to the CD until I read what Frank Iero told Epitaph.com:

“There’s too much bad hair and white belts. Sometimes it nice to turn your brain off and just listen to someone sing about girls. I’m not knocking it. I do think there is a time and a place. But LeATHERMOUTH isn’t like that… it’s about hate. Hate that boils up inside and eats away at you, if you don’t vomit it up you know it will eventually destroy you.”

After reading that I quickly grabbed my copy of XO and threw it in my CD player and the result was enough anger to make any smiling face turn to a stern frown.  Fans of My Chemical Romance, you should stop reading now; LeATHERMOUTH has nothing to do with that happy high school punk rock music you cherish.

The opening song “5th Period Massacre” set the mood by talking about the overflowing sad amounts of suppressed anger from bullied youth only to explode into a shooting at an education institution.  The music was heavy, the lyrics were graphic, and the anger was all so tempting. 

Following the impressive opening track was “Catch Me If You Can” a hardcore melee full of breaking the law and causing chaos and rebellion.  The song was actually created from letters written by serial killer Jack The Ripper making for an even more interesting track.

The mortal “Murder Was The Case That They Gave Me” was far from Snoop Dogg and more so The Bronx with pure hate energy throughout. “Sunsets Are For Muggings” not only humored me by the title but seemed to reach back to the 80s hardcore punk sound.  “My Love Note Has Gone Flat” seemed to just strangle any decent thought in my head.  “Bodysnatchers 4 Ever” was chaotic, ruthless, and very suggestive of old school horror flicks again with the energy simular to the Bronx.

For Frank Iero’s first attempt at being a lyricist and lead singer I think he nailed it.  His raspy scratchy voice lies perfect with the hardcore feel the rest of the band provided.  Their music will make you angry and that seems to be LeATHERMOUTH’s soul intention and with that, they have provided a serious impression on me with XO

Angry, loud, and hardcore is all you need to know about this CD.  If you like horror movies, being angry at the world, and fast furious hardcore music with exceptional force this CD is for you.  If you like songs about girls in high school and mild mischief don’t even bother.

-Download This!LeATHERMOUTH – “Bodysnatchers 4 Ever”

-Check out the video for “Bodysnatchers 4 Ever”:
(The following is NSFW (cussing) so view at your own discression)

Those Darlins Made My Day

Before I even begin this blog, props need to go to my good pal Matt at Addicted To Vinyl for his assistance in helping me through rather vulgar texts on some mp3 help…  Thanks jerk.

I had one of those days today.  It was a bad day at work.  It was just too much for me and I really wish I had a special remote control to help fast forward through all the BS.  Unfortunately I do not so I had to go through my work day at a regular speed hating stressful moments.

Those Darlins indeed...
Those Darlins indeed...

Finally getting home I just needed some chill time and what better way to do that than to geek out on the laptop.  I checked my emails and one in particular grabbed my attention.  It was an email inviting me to check out a band called Those Darlins who are currently touring with Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys).  Having never heard of them and being a huge Black Keys fan I decided it could not hurt to listen to the attached MP3.

What I heard completely changed my entire day and I am not just saying that.  After hearing the song “Wild One” I just felt better.  It was a fun folky honest song of sorts and something I really needed to brighten up my day.

So who are these three darlins I speak of? Those Darlins are a folk/country/indie/punk/appalachian/blue grass (hope I did not miss anything) band featuring Kelley Darlin on bass, Jessi Darlin, on guitar, and Nikki Darlin on, get this, baritone ukulele.  Awesome.

The trio currently resides in the college town of Murfreesboro, TN a city that rests somewhere between the country capital of the world Nashville and the Woodstock replacing town of Manchester, the city Bonnaroo is held in.  Taking their love of playing music and love for a variety of bands of all genres Those Darlins created their own style of music and released the sassy Wild One EP.

Before I even continue you should just click on the link for the song and listen to it for yourself…

Download This! – Those Darlins – “Wild One”

With one song not enough of a sample I headed to their MySpace page to check out a few more tracks.  The vocals on some of the tunes reminded me of a female version of Hank III as well as a twangy Jenny Lewis or even Zooey Deschanel.  The music is classic at times and all around enjoyable.

I have a feeling these three cuties and their mustache sporting drummer really will be going places with their unique and chipper sound.  To make things even better, I just found out that Those Darlins are coming to the Beachland Ballroom next week.  I have to go see them in person and I think I will.  Look for an update next week.

-To pick up the EP for just $5.00, or to purchase some of their self-made merchandise visit their site at:

www.thosedarlins.com

Until then check this video out…

Tiny Toons / They Might Be Giants “Particle Man”

Oh how I love the random function on my iPod.  I have been listening to all sorts of music this morning and one song in particular almost had me singing out loud.  The song, “Particle Man” by They Might Be Giants, has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid.  While listening to it I thought of the little Tiny Toons snippet that aired on TV one day…a cartoon music video of the song.

I immedately took a quick break from my work flow and searched for the video online.  Finally I found it so I can share it with you all.

This is one of my all time favorite cartoon clips/videos of all time:


Watch Tiny Toons – Particle Man clip in Music Videos |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com