Alright, it's that time again. Time for you to read another long blog post, this time about the D's. This blog post is actually coming about two weeks later than I would have liked. I finished listening to The D's a good two weeks before finishing this post, but work and procrastination have interfered with my ability to just sit down and write out this blog post. This is going to be another long one, not only were there a lot of songs (596) but there were a lot of different artists in the D's (51). So if you've been following my blog so far you realize that this means that there are going to be 51 paragraphs in this bad boy, not including this introduction and the conclusion. All of that being said, The D's brought the diversity. Something different for the D's, was the inclusion of a Audio Book in the D's. I got through the D's quickly, and without any struggle on the listening end. Starting off the D's we have a one and done.
Up first is D.O.A. w/ Jello Biafra off of the Rock Against Bush Volume 1 compilation. D.O.A. and Jello Biafra are both well known classic punks, Jello Biafra was the lead singer of The Dead Kennedys and D.O.A. was one of the first Hardcore punk bands. Both artists are known for lyrics filled with political and social commentary and this song is no different. "That's Progress" discusses the policy of eminent domain that is used by many county governments in order to gain the land needed for special projects. Eminent Domain is the government's seizure of personal property, and the government in doing so has to pay the land owner a fair price for the land that was seized to make up for the loss. Jello sings about land lords tripling rent and kicking families who have lived in their home for thirty years out on the street. It's a great punk rock song about an issue not a whole lot of people are very aware of. A lot of people probably aren't aware that their land can be seized at anytime by the government as long as the government reimburses them. Even with reimbursement though, the land owners often don't get as good of a price as they would get selling to a private buyer and may actually lose money on the land. The song is a classic punk song, and something I liked when I first heard it back in 2004 on the Rock Against Bush: Volume 1 compilation. If you like The Dead Kennedys and D.O.A. then I suggest you check this song out.
Next up is an interesting band I picked up a few years back. The D4 are a garage rock band from New Zealand. The band has a very similar sound to several other bands who released records and got popular around the same time as this record was released in 2001. They rode the wave of the popularity enjoyed by bands like The Strokes, The Hives, and The White Stripes. They have a classic garage rock sound, and write some very fun songs. Most of their songs are about partying and having a good time, urging you to "get up, get out, get loose." The songs are fun party songs, and a good example of modern garage rock. I liked this band back in 2001, and they're still enjoyable nine years later.
Daft Punk is another one of those bands whose songs have become strongly present in today's popular culture. Especially songs off of their most well known album Discovery. Songs like "One More Time," and "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger," have been used over and over again in movies, video games, ect. Daft Punk even released new mixes of many of their songs for the video game DJ Hero. Until the rise of Phoenix (wink wink) they were probably one of the only bands from France that you could name and see recognition in the faces of American music fans. Phoenix's lead singer actually briefly played in a band with the two members of Daft Punk. Daft Punk aren't mainstream in the sense that you are going to hear their songs on popular radio, but popular artists such as Kanye West have sampled their music. Kanye West's "Stronger" has a back beat almost entirely made up of Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger." Their contribution to the popularity of electronic house music in the USA and abroad cannot be denied. I have been enjoying Daft Punk for years, I had heard songs like "Technologic," and really liked them, and it was only a few years ago that I finally decided to buy Discovery. Another thing that makes this band interesting is that they released a full length animated feature film to accompany Discovery called Interstella 5555. I have seen all of Interstella 5555 and it is interesting to say the least (The whole thing is available for viewing on Youtube). The songs all feature sampled beats and vocals mixed together into just amazingly danceable tracks. Daft Punk can always put me into a good mood and make me want to dance. I enjoy Daft Punk just as much as I did a few years ago, and I hope to one day get the chance to see them live. If you are a Daft Punk fan and want a taste of the live show, definitely pick up Alive 2007.
Daft Punk "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger"
The Damned follow Daft Punk in the D's. The Damned are a classic punk band, and one of the most revered bands in the punk rock community. Songs like "Neat Neat Neat" and "New Rose," are among their most well known and loved. The Damned are a band I had heard punk fans go on and on about for years, so I finally checked into them further than just the two songs that I mentioned above, and I liked what I heard. They've got that classic British punk rock feeling that you get from bands of that era like The Buzzcocks and Sex Pistols. They played the classic punk style of music, three chords interchanged throughout the songs. It was loud fast, aggressive, and simple, everything that made the punk movement different from everything else that was going on at the time. I really like this style of early English punk, and I still do. If you are looking to expand your repertoire beyond Sex Pistols, then I suggest The Damned.
Damone is a great example of a band that produces a really good single, but not a really good album. I first heard Damone's "Out Here All Night," back in 2006 on MTVu, and really liked the song. It was a heavy pop rock song featuring great vocals by lead singer Noelle. I really liked how her vocals complemented the heavier guitar sounds. I liked it so much that I checked out the entire album, and I was disappointed by the rest of the album. It's not that the songs are terrible, they're just not particularly memorable or distinctive like "Out Here All Night." I've spoken to other people who like Damone and they've been surprised by my lack of enjoyment from the entire album. I just don't think any of the other songs can match up to how good the single is and that may be part of the problem. I still enjoy listening to "Out Here All Night," but I'm still not too hot on the rest of the album.
Damone "Out Here All Night"
Next up is the collaboration between the DJ/Producer Danger Mouse and rapper MF Doom. I like both of these artists individually, and they are just as good if not better together. MF Doom at heart is a nerd, and that is part of what makes these songs so fun. All of the songs contain references to, and voices from [Adult Swim] programming. The beats are fun, and MF Dooms baritone flow really compliments the beats put behind it. I had been aware of this album The Mouse and the Mask, but I didn't actually check it out until about a month before this post. I'm a big fan of most of the programming on [Adult Swim], so I enjoy the references to current and classic programming. I was always a fan of Space Ghost: Coast to Coast but never got to see it much since I didn't have cable growing up. If you are a fan of [Adult Swim] programming then I suggest checking out this album.
Danger Doom "Basket Case"
After the Danger Mouse and MF Doom collaboration, we have solo Danger Mouse. This album, The Grey Album, is the album that really introduced Danger Mouse to the mainstream. The Grey Album is a mash-up album, mixing two different albums together into one completely new album. In this case Danger Mouse mixes The Beatles' White Album with Jay-Z's The Black Album. The reason that this mash-up put Danger Mouse on the map is because it put him in trouble legally, he had not obtained permission to use the songs in the album. This album is a really interesting album, and a great listen. Hearing well known Jay-Z songs mixed with these classic Beatles songs makes for a surprisingly great combination. Some of the combinations include Jay-Z's "Encore" mixed with The Beatles' "Glass Onion," Jay-Z's "99 Problems," is mixed with "Helter Skelter." The samples work surprisingly well together. I was given this album by my older brother and I thank him for that, because this is a really great mash up album. I enjoy it just as much as I did when I got it a few years ago. If you enjoy The Beatles and Jay-Z I suggest you try to find a copy of this album and take a listen.
Danger Mouse "What More Can I Say"
The Darkness are a band that gained a large following in the early 2000's because of their amazing debut Permission to Land and because of lead singer Justin Hawkins' fully body cat suits. Their music and the cat suits are a throwback to the powerful arena rock of the 70's. Justin Hawkins' lyrics are part of what made this band stand out from other throw back bands, his lyrics were funny and clever. He wrote a song called "Growing On Me," which upon first listen sounds like a song about a dysfunctional relationship that he just can't seem to let go of. This was my first impression of the song upon first listen, but I was informed afterward what the song was truly about, Genital Warts. Disgusting I know, but if you listen to the lyrics knowing this, the song's lyrics fit perfectly. Justin Hawkins' falsetto mixed with the soaring guitar solos just made for some great music. Then band unfortunately fell hard, Justin Hawkins became addicted to cocaine and left the band to enter rehab. The band carried on with a new lead singer, but were no longer The Darkness. Justin Hawkins now sober, writes songs for other people. He wrote two songs on the upcoming Meatloaf album. I still really enjoy Permission to Land and I think I won't stop enjoying it anytime soon, it's just a well made album. I don't enjoy their second album One Way Ticket to Hell...And Back, nearly as much. It just doesn't have the same spark that the debut possessed. It's opening is a big hint to Justin Hawkins' Cocaine addiction, right as the opening track is beginning he can be heard snorting a line of Cocaine. The Darkness were a great band who I wish had continued to make music, but I'm happy that lead singer Justin Hawkins was able to get the help he needed to become and remain sober.
The Darkness "Growing On Me"
Next is probably one of the most well known bass lines in music. The classic opening bass line for David Bowie and Queen's "Under Pressure" is well known because of this classic collaboration, but also for the fact that it was heavily sampled by Vanilla Ice in his early 90's hit single "Ice Ice Baby." Two classic rock artists of the 70's together on one great song, two of the most well known and loved bands of all time. The track itself is such a wonderful and powerful track, the spectacular voices of Freddie Mercury and David Bowie just blend in seamless harmony. This track now brings up memories of my brother's wedding party for me, I still picture the intoxicated dancers happily enjoying this song. I must admit I heard "Ice Ice Baby" first but I like the sampled song better. I still like this song a lot, it's a classic.
Next up is a first for the iTunes playlist, and Audio Book. This particular audio book is a recording of author David Sedaris reading his book Me Talk Pretty One Day. David Sedaris is a frequent contributor to National Public Radio's "This American Life," a comedian, and an author. He has published several books of essays and stories, most of which are based on his childhood and the events surrounding his family and his upbringing. His sister Amy Sedaris has also gained fame as a comedian, having starred in the short lived TV show "Strangers With Candy." The books and the audio recordings of Sedaris reading his books are filled with humorous situations from his life, the way he phrases the events and his impressions of his family make for a very funny and entertaining audio recording. He speaks of his parents' devotion and obsession over a St. Bernard, his father's obsession with his sisters' weights, and his father's tendency to hide food until it is well past the expiration date and serve it to his family. David Sedaris has had a very interesting life, and that is what makes his essays and humor so accessible. This is definitely something you should check out and listen to.
The dB's are up next on the playlist. The song is "Amplifier" and it is a track that was part of Left of the Dial: Dispatches from the 80's Underground compilation box set. I was not familiar with this band before the compilation, and I can't say that this song is memorable enough to give me any desire to explore further. It's got a nice up beat tempo for a song that starts out talking about people killing themselves the previous night, and getting stolen from. The sound of the song has that typical 80's acoustic guitar strum over a prominent bass line. It's a strange song, that I hadn't recalled until listening to it for this blog, and it's something that I will forget about again after I move on from the D's. It's worth checking out, but not much more.
Next up is the start of what I'm affectionately calling the Section of Death (SOD). Opening of the SOD is the classic song "Sonic Reducer," by The Dead Boys. This song is a classic, the opening guitar line surrounded by ambient noise is a great lead in to Stiv Bator's vocals. The rough gravely voice of Stiv Bator makes song even better. It is a classic punk anthem, and probably one of the songs most well known by people outside of the punk rock scene. I really liked this song several years ago when I first heard it, and I continued to like it as I occasionally came back to it over the years. I was reminded of the song when The Beastie Boys sampled it for the song "Open Letter to NYC," which was one of my favorite tracks off of their album To the 5 Boroughs. This song is a great song to start with if you want to explore punk rock music, it's accessible to the standard rock crowd while still being punk enough to please the hardcore punk fans. This is a song that I will continue to enjoy, and one that I definitely would recommend.
The Dead Kennedy's are probably one of my favorite punk bands. I started getting into punk back in 2003-2004, and The Dead Kennedys were a band I had been introduced to a few years before. My older brother played some of their music for me, and talked about singer Jello Biafra and his spoken word albums. The Dead Kennedys put out great punk music with a great socially conscious message. They sang about the abuse of power and brutality exhibited by way too many police officers in "Police Truck," and they also sing about the international struggle with Cambodia in the 80's in "Holiday in Cambodia." They were controversial, even getting taken to court on obscenity charges for the cover of their album Frankenchrist. The songs are hard, fast, and raw and just really great listening. I originally only had about three songs from The Dead Kennedys, but I was given their Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death album by my older brother and this allowed me to explore further. I enjoyed the album when I got it a few years ago, and I still really enjoy the album. The album is one of the classic punk albums that all punk rock fans should own. I will continue to enjoy The Dead Kennedys for years to come, I can't see myself changing from my current impression.
Dead Kennedys "Holiday in Cambodia"
Next up is another one of my favorite punk bands, The Dead Milkmen. The Dead Milkmen are one of the most humorous bands that I have in my iTunes catalog. Their songs are completely ridiculous in subject matter, singing songs about being so bored that you decide to drink bleach in "Bleach Boys," and songs like "Big Lizard," which as you can guess by the title is about a gigantic lizard. The songs have a punk flavor to the music, but the subject is anything but serious like the rest of the punk genre. I checked out The Dead Milkmen a few years ago on a recommendation by several different people, starting with one of their new "mature" albums Soul Rotation. I really enjoyed that album and decided to explore into their back catalog. I have not yet been disappointed by a Dead Milkmen album, and if I explore the few albums I don't have I don't expect to be disappointed by those albums either. My impressions of this band have only gotten fonder since first hearing them years ago.
The Dead Milkmen "Punk Rock Girl"
Next up is one of Jack White's many musical projects, The Dead Weather. Jack White formed The Dead Weather and recorded their debut album Horehound last year, and just released their second album Sea of Cowards earlier this year. The band is what many writers like to call a "Super Group." The band features Jack White of The White Stripes and The Raconteurs, Alison Mosshart of The Kills, Dean Fertita of Queens of the Stone Age, and Jack Lawrence of The Raconteurs and The Greenhorns. The interesting thing about this Jack White project is the fact that Jack White isn't the lead singer or the lead guitar player, he's the drummer. White does contribute a significant amount of vocals, but usually he is harmonizing with Mosshart. The band plays an interesting mix of alternative rock and blues fuzz rock. Jack White actually does an alright job on the drums, he doesn't play anything overly complicated or difficult, but this type of music doesn't really call for that either. Another interesting thing for me is that sometimes it sounds like Alison Mosshart is just a female version of Jack White, their vocals intertwining so well that they almost sound like one person. I checked out this band due to the widespread praise by critics and my enjoyment of Jack White's other projects The White Stripes and Raconteurs. I wasn't completely sold on this band after the first few initial listens to Horehound but after listening to their new album and listening to the debut again my enjoyment grew. The new album is even better than the debut. This band is one that I will keep an eye on and look for future releases from.
The Dead Weather "Die By the Drop"
The Deadly Snakes follow The Dead Weather on the D playlist. The Deadly Snakes are an interesting indie rock band that mixes elements of rock, folk, blues, and country. Their songs are really well done and the music is a pleasure to listen to. The mix of styles throughout the album and from song to song make for some very good and interesting music. I was introduced to this band by my older brother who first put two of their songs on an Mp3 CD he made for me about six years ago, I liked these two songs and he gave the album Porcella to me a few years later. I rediscovered this band because of this album, because I had forgotten about those two songs that I had previously received. I hadn't listened to the Mp3 CD in a while so it fell from immediate musical memory. My perception of this band has changed since first hearing them, and it's moved even further into positive territory now that I have more than just two songs. A band worth checking out if you're looking for something new and a little different. The Deadly Snakes bring The Section of Death to its close.
The Decemberists are a band who I have become more impressed with over the past few years. The Decemberists have been indie rock nerd darlings since their critically acclaimed album Picaresque. The band plays an interesting brand of folk rock, and this mix is what appealed to the indie music lover because it was so different than what was popular in the mainstream at the time. I was first introduced to The Decemberists when I saw the video for the song "16 Military Wives" on MTVu a few years ago. I enjoyed the song but didn't explore any further. I heard them again when they had their "feud" with Stephen Colbert over the green screen challenge to make a video for their song "O Valencia!." Again I didn't really explore them any further. I got two of their albums, Picaresque and The Billy Liar single, from my younger brother who was a fan, but I wasn't particularly into them at the time. I then heard "The Wanting Comes in Waves" off of their newest album when they played a shortened version on The Colbert Report. I thoroughly enjoyed this song, and because of this I later received their newest CD The Hazards of Love from my younger brother and my opinion changed. The Hazards of Love is a brilliantly well crafted and produced album. The album itself is a concept album developed around the story of Margaret, her shape shifting beau, his mother The Queen, and the evil rake (an immoral, womanizing man). The different characters are interwoven with different styles of music for each character, a tender accordion ballad for Margaret and a rock stomper for The Queen to almost heavy metal for The Rake. I am still not a huge fan of their older work, but I appreciate it more than I used to.
The Decemberists "The Wanting Comes in Waves"
Next up after The Decemberists is Dee & Don. This song "Mr. Fortuneteller" has that classic soul/R&B feel that was prominent in the 60's. It's a good song, I especially enjoy the twist on the normal soul song that featured just a solo or group of performers of one sex, but this is a nice duet between a man and a woman. I wasn't familiar with this song before listening through the D's. It was put on my iTunes as part of the playlist of music for my older brother's wedding party. Since I wasn't particularly familiar with it I didn't really have an impression of it before listening to it for this blog. I like the song though, it's a great example of classic 60's soul, and I can always enjoy a good 60's soul song.
The Del Fuegos are up next, a band with an interesting mix of guitar that sounds very close to surf style guitar. They have that classic lo-fi sound common to garage rock bands of pretty much any decade. The sound is very much in the style of the genre that defines this band, but the guitar in this song feels like a bit of a change of pace from the rest of the genre. The song is fun to listen to. I had a small awareness and memory of this song from previous listening but not enough to recall a distinct impression. I like this song, it's a good fun song with a little bit of a surf rock feel to it despite being performed by a band from Boston. I have a good impression of this song, but I haven't heard anything else from this band to say anymore. It's something worth checking out if you like garage rock.
Next up is Del Shannon. This is just a classic rock and roll song from the 60's. It's a song that has that classic rock song common to rock and roll of the early 60's late 50's. The song has a very interesting keyboard sound in the background of the song, it's very light and flitting. The keyboard sound is what stands out for me in this song, it's just very interesting. Especially since according to the Wikipedia article about Del Shannon, his keyboard player apparently invented an early synthesizer. The keyboard doesn't really sound synthesized, but it just seems very light and flitting. I also enjoy the addition of the saxaphone to the song. I was familiar with this song, "Runaway," already, it was something that I had heard previously when I was younger and liked. I still really like this song.
The next band, Denali, comes to my iTunes library through the Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1 compilation. This song isn't particularly distinctive when it comes to the arrangement and the instrumentation of the music, what makes this song better and more distinctive for me are the vocals. As I have previously stated, I'm a big fan of good female lead singers, and this band has one. The female vocals are what make this song for me, her voice is very beautiful but has some power behind it at the same time. This wasn't one of the songs that stuck out for me from this compilation, but it was a good compilation with a lot of great songs so that's not surprising since I wasn't familiar with Denali before the compilation. It's something worth checking out if you, like me, enjoy good female vocals.
Next up is one of the biggest bands of the 80's, a band familiar to most music fans, hardcore and casual alike. Depeche Mode had some of the biggest hits of the 80's. According to their Wikipedia article, the band had 48 songs on the UK's singles charts. The band was really a forerunner of all of the current electronica infused rock bands that have popped up over the past decade. This particular song, "Black Celebration," has to be one of my favorite Depeche Mode songs. From the opening keyboard notes to the finish the song has a very haunting, scary movie feel to it. The keyboard notes especially remind you of something you might have heard in one of the "Nightmare on Elm Street" movies or one of the "Friday the 13th" movies. I got this song from the Left of the Dial: Dispatches from the 80's Underground compilation box set. This song was definitely one that stood out for me, a song I enjoyed upon my first listen through. I still like this song just as much as I did when I got this compilation a few years ago.
Next up is a band that I've been enjoying quite a bit over the past few years. I first gave The Descendents a listen a few years back based on many recommendations from friends and people online who I discussed music with. The Descendents are one of the best pop-punk bands, they were the model for all pop punk bands to follow them. They had many elements of punk rock, but the music wasn't quite as loud and hard as punk. The songs can range in subject matter from food and beer to political and social statements. One of their more well known songs has to be "Suburban Home," a song that has been covered by several other bands in the years since its release. The song opens with the line "I want to be stereotyped, I want to be classified." The song is all about how suburban life is boring and static. Their songs are just a lot of fun. I liked this band the first time I heard them on the Rock Against Bush compilation, and then even more when I got their 'Merican EP and the LP Cool to be You. For a while that was as far as I explored in the band's catalogue. I later purchased Somery, which is basically a greatest hits collection. If you want to check this band out, I suggest picking up Somery.
The Descendents "Suburban Home"
Next up is the fictional metal band known as Dethklok. Dethklok is the band that is the focus of the animated series Metalocalypse which appears on Cartoon Network's [Adult Swim]. The show itself is really funny, and what makes the show even better is that the music performed by the band on the show is actually really good. The songs are all very funny, with very violent themes. All of the songs are about death and destruction. Nathan Explosion is the lead singer and lyricist and his deep gravelly voice fits the music perfectly. The songs on these two albums are the same ones that appear in the series. I have been enjoying this band since I watched the series premier back in 2006. The series is just so funny, the band themselves are complete idiots and aren't good for much besides producing music. The band is the world's 7th largest economy and has a fan base in the billions who will do anything for them. I really enjoyed the premier episode back in 2006 and I continue to enjoy the series to this day. The music a lot of fun, and a great example of heavy metal. Any heavy metal fan who hasn't checked this band out really should. My impression of this band has only grown since 2006, and I will continue to enjoy them for years to come.
Dethklok "Murmaider"
Next up is a one and done in The Detroit Cobras covering The Strokes' "Last Night." This cover has a different feel musically than the original, and this is because The Detroit Cobras put their own spin on the song. The guitar has a bit more of a country feel to it than the garage rock guitars of the Strokes. The lyrics are changed to accommodate a female lead singer, changing girl to boy and so on. I first heard this cover a few years ago when my older brother put it on my computer as music for his wedding party. I like this cover a lot, I think The Detroit Cobras put a really nice spin on this song. I liked this version when I first heard it a few years ago, but I hadn't thought of it in a long time before this blog. I still like the cover a lot, enough so that I might check into more music by The Detroit Cobras in the future.
Next up is a band who was a bastion of popular culture in the 80's and early 90's. Devo, have maintained a huge following to this day even two decades after their heyday in the 1980's. Their song "Whip It" has become one of those songs that everybody knows, no matter what type of music they listen to or if they've never heard any other Devo songs. While "Whip It" is probably their most well known song, Q:Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! is probably their most well known album. The album features their first popular song in "Mongaloid" and also contains a cover of The Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction." The band has changed musical styles over the years, going from punk to new wave. The band was a heavy influence on the new wave bands that rose to popularity in the years following their disbanding. The band just recently released their first full album of new material in nineteen years this year. I have been a fan of "Whip It" for a long time, and for a long time that song and the cover of "Satisfaction," were the only Devo songs I knew. In recent years I decided to delve deeper into Devo, purchasing Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!. I really like this album, the band plays great music that is fun to listen to. The lyrics are often amusing, sarcastic, and satirical. Devo is a band that anyone who was a least a moderate fan of the new wave movement should check out. I will continue to enjoy Devo for the foreseeable future.
Devo "Whip It"
Next up is an interesting remix by DFA of N.E.R.D's "She Wants to Move." I wasn't familiar with the original of this song when I first heard it, and I only listened to the original right before typing this post up. The DFA remix is much more upbeat and danceable than the original version. The original is very slow, and after listening to both versions I have to say that I like the remix better than the original. DFA's remix makes it a dance song, and that makes it a whole lot more fun to listen to than the slow more methodical original. This is another song that I received from my older brother, I liked it when he first introduced me to it and I still do. This song is one of those instances when the remix outshines the source material. Definitely recommend for fans of dance music, and remixes.
Next up is one of the most well known soul singers/groups of the 1960's. Diana Ross and The Supremes are one of the most popular groups to come out of that era of music, and the biggest selling vocal group in recording history according to Wikipedia. The band had twelve number one singles on Billboard's Hot 100. Diana Ross has one of the most recognizable voices in soul, and her songs have become classics that have made their way deep into the popular Culture of the United States of America. I grew up listening to Diana Ross and the Supremes, and therefore have a deep appreciation of their music and its impact on the world of music. Their songs have been covered and re-imagined some many times of the years, more than any other artist I can think of. I still enjoy listening to Diana Ross, because the harmonies and melodies in the music just make for some beautiful songs. I can't see myself ever not enjoying Diana Ross' music.
Next up is the king of Surf Guitar Dick Dale. Dick Dale is the most well known purveyors of surf guitar. This song in particular is probably his most well known song. "Misirlou," is a great example of Dale's classic surf guitar style, but what makes this song even better is the backing music. The mix of drums, trumpet, and piano really make this song even better. Even people who have never heard of Dick Dale or this song probably are familiar with it. The Black Eyed Pees Sampled Dick Dale's version for their 2006 hit single "Pump It," and The Beach Boys also did a Dick Dale inspired version of the song. One of the earliest CD's that I can recall receiving from my father was a Dick Dale CD. I really enjoyed that CD when I was younger, and I still really enjoy "Misirlou." Anyone who is looking to get into, or is already a fan of surf music should know Dick Dale.
The Dickies are up next with the song "You Drive Me Ape (You Big Gorilla)." This is just a really quick little punk song coming in at under 2 minutes long. The song isn't really what you would think of as your traditional punk song, because it prominently features a synthesizer style keyboard line in the background of the song. The lyrics are amusing, and the songs subject can be easily gleamed from the title of the song. I first heard this song a few year ago when I got the compilation box set No Thanks! The 70's Punk Rebellion, and I liked the fun playfulness of the song. I came back to the song over the years, occasionally playing it on my radio show. A song I will continue to enjoy.
Next up is The Dictators with their song "Two Tub Man," which I got off of the compilation box set No Thanks! The 70's Punk Rebellion. The song is a fun punk song, the singer talks about how much of a rebel he is and how he's who parent's don't want their children to become. He claims to drink Coca-Cola for breakfast, to have had Jackie Onassis in his pants, and that edumacation isn't for him, and that he never gratiated from high school. It's a fun punk song about doing whatever you want to do and damn what other people think of you. I like this song's fun lyrics and the classic punk style of guitars. I wasn't familiar with the song before the compilation, but it's one I've listened to a few times over the years. I think that I will continue to listen to it on occasion, not on a consistent basis but as something to come back to occasionally.
Once again we come to another artist from the much maligned and regretted industrial tribute to Metalllica album. This time it's Die Krupps covering "Battery." Once again it's just monotone heavy electronic beats over half shouted vocals. Once again this song is a terrible cover, and continues to make me regret this purchase ten years ago.
We have another Metallica cover up next, this time off of Overload: A Tribute to Metallica. Of the two Metallica cover albums I have this one is the better, but this song is ruined by the singer of the covering artist Diesel Machine. Musically the band tries to get very close to the original, but the hoarse screaming of the lead singer ruins this song for me. This song is something I will always skip when it comes up in the shuffle on my iPod. Avoid this song if you like Metallica.
Dillinger Four is the next band on the playlist with the song "Like Sprewells on a Wheelchair," which is in my library from the Rock Against Bush Vol. 2. This song is really fast paced, and that is one of the reasons I like this song. It just goes at top speed from almost second one. The song itself is about refusing to accept the mantra of politicians and some religious leader in America that say that America is God's chosen country. They refuse the idea of Manifest Destiny. I liked this song when I rediscovered it off of this compilation about two years ago, and I still like it. It's not the most original song, but it's a good fast paced rager that fits well with this compilations. I even played the song on my radio show a few times.
Another classic 70's punk band is up next in The Dils. The singer sounds a bit like he's from the UK, but the band is actually from California. Their style of punk actually contains more harmonies than the majority of other punk rock music produced in the 70's. The band was very left wing in their politics and song writing, some of their most well known songs are "Class War," and the one I have "Mr. Big." This song seems very much a ran against people who like to show off and impress others with their "knowledge." The song says that they know Mr. Big gets his information from the news and tells him not to change the channel or he'll get confused. I take the lyrics to be a rant against people who are well off trying to relate and impress those less fortunate for some type of "street cred." I like the song even though I wasn't familiar with it before the compilation it came on and hadn't really listened to it since getting that compilation.
Next up is a band that has a large cult following, despite not being one of the more successful bands of the 80's. The band's sound is very mellow, with feedback and occasional guitar solos. You can definitely hear the under pinning sound of 90's alternative rock. The melodic singing over the mellow guitars became very popular in the world of alternative 90's rock. I had heard good things about his band for a few years, but had never checked them out. I decided to finally check them out a few years ago, getting the album Green Mind. I like the album, it's very mellow and laid back and easy to digest. This may have been the start of 90's alternative rock, but it is way better than most of the alternative rock that it inspired. The band is recognized among musicians for their large influence on music that followed them, even if most of the music public aren't particularly familiar with the band. I think I will continue to enjoy this album, and it makes me consider even looking further back into their catalog to hear more of their music.
Dinosaur Jr. "The Wagon"
Diplo is up next in the D's. Diplo is one of the hottest producers in music right now and is famous for being a former flame of singer/rapper M.I.A. He's also part of the electro reggae inspired Major Lazer. Major Lazer has gained some notoriety lately by introducing the dancing style called "daggering," to the American public. The two songs I have from Diplo are remixes of the Yeah Yeah Yeah's "Gold Lion" and Ray Charles' "I Got a Woman." The remixes are interesting, and very beat heavy. Their seems to be a lot of back beat built into both remixes. On "Gold Lion" he speed the song up, almost hitting fast forward. He speeds up Karen O's vocals. The remix of "I Got a Woman," feels a bit more like a remix of Kanye West's "Golddigger" in its hip hop style beat and mix, but the only vocals featured are those of Ray Charles. The remixes are interesting and something fun to listen to from time to time.
Next up is a metal/hard rock band from Japan in Dir en grey. This is a band I checked out after reconditions from people who knew I liked the Japanese band Melt Banana, and favorably compared the two bands. I am up and down on this band, I purchased two albums and I really like one but really disliked the other. The first album I bought was Withering to Death and I really liked this album, I got the CD used and was not disappointed. The music is very heavy and has a heavy metal feel to it, but the vocals are very melodic but can switch to harsh and guttural when appropriate for the song. The bass lines have a very metallic sound to them, and the guitar mix just works for me. I really liked this album, and was eager to listen to more. I purchased the album the was released after Withering to Death, I bought the album Uroboros. It just wasn't as good, it didn't have the same feel as the first album. The band is known for changing its musical style from album to album, and for me the change wasn't good. This album just didn't strike me in the same way, some of the songs actually were unpleasant to listen to. I just discovered this band about a year ago, so my opinion of them has changed because of time, just because of the second album. I like this band, but the second album I purchased makes me nervous to check out anything else by this band.
Dir en grey "C"
Next up is one of the hippest indie bands to be a fan of these days, The Dirty Projectors. This song, "Stillness in the Move," was given to me by my younger brother. The song is an interesting, sparse, mix of drums and a light guitar line. I haven't really followed The Dirty Projectors, but I was aware of them due to their rise and infrequent articles about the band in music magazines. I didn't have an impression of the band before this song, and I hadn't listened to it before doing so for the blog because the song was only given to me back in July or August. It's an alright song, a very interesting song. The song however doesn't really make me want to check the band out any further than this song. It's a nice song, but it doesn't blow me away.
The Distillers are up next after The Dirty Projectors. The Distillers were fronted by Brody Dalle who played guitar and sang. The band gained some small popularity back in the mid 00's for their album Coral Fang. The song "Drain the Blood" got some minor radio play. Brody Dalle is also partly known for having been married to Rancid bassist and signer Tim Armstrong, they divorced and Brody later married Queens of the Stone Age front man Joshua Homme. Brody Dalle has very distinctive and abrasive singing voice. Her voice can be very rough, very frequently forming a slight growl. The Distillers songs are very punk influenced, and it shines through in a lot of their songs, but they were also more catchy then punk featuring more sing a long style choruses. The songs frequently feature themes surrounding death, murder, and blood. I heard The Distillers when they gained that brief popularity with Coral Fang in the mid 00's. I liked the radio single, and upon hearing the entire album I like the band. The songs are aggressive and violent, and fit Dalle's voice perfectly. Part of what makes the songs for me is her voice. I still enjoy this band as much as I did a few years ago, and I enjoy Brody Dalle's new band Spinnerette as well.
The Distillers "Drain the Blood"
Next up is a band that for a long time, I considered a guilty pleasure. Disturbed were a band I heard on the radio with their popular songs "Down With the Sickness," and "Stupify." At that period of my musical life I was into that type of music, also listening to Korn at the time. My musical tastes began to change, and I moved away from bands like Disturbed and their alternative rock/metal sound. For a long time I tried not to like Disturbed because it wasn't part of my preferred musical style. I came back around to Disturbed when I saw the video for their cover of "Land of Confusion," on MTVu a few years back. The more I hear of them, the more I realize that I never really stopped liking them. Part of what makes the band/music interesting for me is lead singer David Draiman. Draiman as a child attended a Yeshiva High School for Study of the Torah in Wisconsin. Many of his lyrics deal with themes of religion, spirituality, Heaven, Hell, and violence. His time in the Yeshiva's influence on the band has actually made the band popular with students studying at Yeshivas around the world. The music is not allowed, but is hidden. The vocals mixed with the dropped guitar notes, and subtle electronics make for an interesting mix. I think I will only continue to enjoy Disturbed and stop considering them a guilty pleasure.
Disturbed "Land of Confusion"
Next up is the classic country singer Dolly Parton. Dolly Parton is one of the most well known female country singers of all time, and translated her success into a successful theme park in Tennessee called Dollywood. She has forty one top ten country albums, and 25 number one singles. One of her most well known songs is actually more known for the cover version. Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You," was covered by Whitney Houston and featured in the movie The Bodyguard. Dolly's version is much different than the cover, musically and in the fact that Parton doesn't have anywhere near the vocal range of Whitney Houston. I like a lot of people of my generation was first aware of Whitney Houston's version, but I like Dolly's version just as much. Houston's version is very powerful, but Parton's seems a bit sweeter sounding. I enjoy Parton's voice, and her music is a great example of country music done well. I think I will continue to enjoy Dolly Parton.
Next up is The Donnas, a group of four women playing AC/DC inspired rock songs. The Donnas have a very strong AC/DC influence in their song writing, the guitar riffs feel like they could have been at home in some of the deep tracks, or B Sides of an AC/DC album. They aren't as good as AC/DC, but they still rock hard and make good music. Their music is a lot of fun, focusing on boys, and partying. It's a refreshing change of pace to hear these types of song sung from the female perspective, since we hear men sing about women and partying all the time. The sing about wanting to get guys into bed, or getting drunk or high. On one of my favorite songs off of their album Spend the Night, "To Bad About Your Girl," singer Donna A laments to the subject of the song that "it's too bad about your girl, she doesn't look like she's much fun, " stating that it's "to bad you've got a date tonight, because you're looking like you're the one." Also asking questions like "who's she going to slap when she sees me in your lap, and you say you've had a change of heart?" The songs are just fun party songs that appeal to the young party animal in all of us. If you're a fan of fun party rock, or bands like The Ramones or AC/DC then definitely check them out. I've been enjoy The Donnas since first hearing them on the radio when Spend the Night was released, and I will continue to enjoy their brand of fun party rock.
The Donnas "Too Bad About Your Girl"
Next up is a one and done off of the Rock Against Bush Vol. 2 in The Donots. The Donots are a pop punk band from Germany. The song has slicker production and catchy hooks common with a lot of pop punk bands of the 90's and 00's. The song is about not taking abuse from the powers that be anymore, that enough is enough. Demanding that they "step down right now." It's an alright song, I wasn't familiar with before the compilation, and forgot about after the first listen through. It's just not particularly memorable for me. It's an average pop punk song.
Next up is the Fantasy Metal band Dragonforce. Dragonforce are known for their fantasy inspired lyrical themes, singing songs about dragons, epic battles, and dark forces. Besides the fantasy themed lyrics the music contains electronic glitch sounds very much like those heard in retro video games of the 80's. They are also known for their skilled and extremely quick guitar work. The songs speed along at break neck speeds featuring spectacular guitar solos from guitar players Herman Li and Sam Totham. The band gained wide recognition when their track "Through The Fire and the Flames" was featured as the closing song to the video game Guitar Hero 3. The game was how I first heard Dragonforce, although I had heard of them before. I got the album after the one containing "Through the Fire and the Flames," because it was the only one available to me at the time. I really enjoy Dragonforce for the skill of the music, and the fantasy themes. The only problem is that all of their songs start to sound alike the further you get into the album. I like Dragonforce, but only in small doses.
Dragonforce "Through the Fire and the Flames"
Next up is the 80's rock band Dream Syndicate. This song is from Left of the Dial: Dispatches from the 80's Underground, and you can tell if you've heard the other songs on the compilation. It has a similar style to a lot of the other 80's underground artists. The guitar sound is very similar in style, and the echoing vocals are very reminiscent of a lot of other 80's underground bands from this compilation. It just didn't stand out for me as anything special. I can't say I had a previous impression of this song, because truth is I had forgotten I even had it until I listened through the D's for this compilations.
Dream Theater is up next in this radio sampler that I was able to obtain. The band is a progressive/metal rock band. The band hasn't really gained any mainstream notoriety, but their members are well respected musicians. Their members have been given several awards by music magazines for technical proficiency, and the drummer has been inducted in to the Rock Drummer Hall of Fame. I had heard of the band before, mostly because of their large drum kit. The songs are interesting, and very melodic vocally mixing in with the high pitched metal guitar sounds. The band, in my opinion, has a similar style in some ways to Dir en grey and may be where Dir en grey got some of their influence. I hadn't heard this band until I got this album about a year and a half ago, so I haven't had much of a longstanding perception to change on this band.
Boston based Irish/Celtic influenced punk band The Dropkick Murphys are up next. The band frequently includes Irish themes and instruments into their music, mixing it with fast paced punk rock music. Probably one of their most well known songs is "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," which was featured in the movie The Departed. The song contains an accordion playing over the fast punk sounds of the band throughout the song. The Dropkick Murphys are a band I've been a casual fan of for a few years now, enjoying their music when I hear it. I still enjoy them when I hear them, but I've never been moved to look further into them then I have.
Dropkick Murphys "I'm Shipping Up to Boston"
This next artist is one that I believe may have come with Windows, because I have no recollection of ever adding this song to my iTunes library. The song is by Dujeous, a rap group that I had never heard of before listening to this song "Sightlines" for this blog. The song contains a back beat with a electric guitar revolving around the beat. The MC's switch off a bit like old school hip hop, just not as good. The song isn't particularly distinctive, it's kind of catchy but not enough for you to remember it for more than a few hours. Can't say this song is particularly ground breaking, or memorable.
Next up is Dusty Springfield, an English singer whose career began in the late 50's. The vocals have a bit of a soul feel to them, mixed with a bit of a rock/blues sound. There's a very nice guitar line playing throughout the song, with occasional flourishes. I wasn't familiar with this song, although I had heard the name Dusty Springfield before. I like this song, it's enjoyable and simple. I wasn't familiar with this song before, so I didn't have a previous impression. But it's a nice pleasant song.
Next up is the Dwarves with the song "Kids Today." The song is a quick song at under 2 minutes. The song as the title suggests is about kids today. The song talk about how they've got something other generations just can't match. That the kids want answers, there's 200 channels and it's all bad news. The song is fast and hard, and the vocals remind me a lot of Mike Ski of The A.K.A.s. [Are Everywhere]. I liked this song when I heard it on the Rock Against Bush Vol. 2. It's still a song I like, it's quick and powerful and gets to the point. Not sure I'll check further into this band, but I like the song.
Finally we have the Dwight Twilley Band rounding out the D's. The song is a classic rock country inspired sound. It feels like a slightly more country version of the Beatles. With some the guitar is what really makes it feel more of a rocking country song. I wasn't familiar with the song before listening to it for the blog, as it was one of the many songs put on my computer by my older brother for his wedding party. It's a very nice, and pleasant song. It reminds me a lot of the band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, so this may have been one of BRMC's influences. I have a good impression of the song from listening for this blog, but not one that will cause me to look further into the band.
Well that will bring the D's to a close, about two weeks later than I had intended. I apologize for the lateness of this post, but I just couldn't get the drive to write sometimes and work interfered at others. I enjoyed listening to the D's, there were a lot of bands that I forgot about, and others who I had listened to semi, or very frequently. I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog, and I will do my best to get the E's out a lot sooner than the D's.
