Side One, Track One

Praise be to Sweet Zombie Jeebus! Thank Godaroo! After a week of being unable to form this article I've had a "Eureka!" moment. Unlike Archimedes I wasn't in the bath, (nor was I changing the world with my discovery but hey) I was playing some riffs on my guitar and started playing Sleepflower by Manic Street Preachers. It's the opening track to their second album, Gold Against The Soul, and begins with a lone guitar playing and infectious riff that sets the theme for the track. After a couple of repetitions it's joined by the bass playing the same and Sean Moore's typical tub thumping and the track comes to life. As an album opener it is one of my favourites as it never fails to get the volume cranked up and my head bobbing. As with most tracks on this list it's not the best by the band but it is a great example of the phenomenon that is the "side one, track one."

All albums need to start somewhere, somehow and the choice of first track sometimes be the difference between an album's residency on your ipod and being confined to the back of the cupboard with cassette singles from the '90's. As with all music there's no rules. Some great first track begin with a bang, some whimper into life, some just start and some don't exist at all. Before I continue I want to share some notable exceptions to the rule, great album, shit opener. Frankly anything that labels Track 1 "Intro" falls into this category just for being pointless (eg. Limp Bizkit - Significant Other) to feeling like it was cut from a track to create a single (Muse - Absolution). An "Intro" track just means none of the real songs on your album have enough impact to grab attention or that you're more worried about the singles than the album as a whole. The other type of exception is when a fully fledged opening track just doesn't cut the mustard. Finelines by My Vitriol is an amazing album but is begins with an instrumental track which builds into first track proper, Always: Your Way, (Smashing Pumpkins's Meloncholy And The Infinite Sadness does the same) and as such stunts the appeal of that track. In both examples the first track is very good and enjoyable but only really works in context and as such cannot be considered for this list.

So to the list. I have chosen 10 notable examples of what I consider to be great album openers. There are better tracks out there by these artists but as the first track to the album they grace the grab your attention, set the mood and give you a taste of what to expect. So fire up your music source of choice, find these tracks and enjoy:

1. "Awakening" by The Reasoning from Awakening
The album is a modern prog rock odyssey and this opener sets you up brilliantly. Initially sounding like an extract from Tubular Bells you'll have to wait 20 seconds or so before the over-driven guitars and melodic riffing begins. About 1 minute in the vocals start and you'll begin to see where this is going. Clocking in at 6:49 it's quite and opening statement for any album let alone a debut but as it weaves it's way through various styles it won't disappoint. At 4:22 we're treated to a true welsh rock solo which could easily belong to our next band....
2. "Sleepflower" by Manic Street Preachers from Gold Against The Soul
As I said before this is the track that switched on the light-bulb for this article. If the opening riff isn't enough to hook you then James Dean Bradfield in full rock mode will. It's not the most well regarded track from the album, over shadowed by La Tristesse Durera (Scream to a Sigh), but it is a worthy opener containing as it does all the elements of the album to come and seamlessly setting up single From Despair To Where.
3. "Everyone's At It" by Lily Allen from It's Not Me, It's You
Ms Allen's thoughts on drug abuse open her second album and does so in style. Splashy cymbals and a constant kick drum on 8th beats fade in with rising sirens and a simple vocal melody that promises something special. If you know Lily Allen's work then you'll not be surprised by the rest of the track which stands up strongly against the three singles the follow.
4. "Showdown" by Pendulum from In Silico
The third opener from a difficult sophomore album in this case begins with the same splashy cymbals and driving kicks of the last track but with Rob Swire's vocal from the off. As it builds, layer by layer, a solid drum and bass influenced rocker emerges and sets up what proved to be a divisive album for fans. Regardless of what your opinion is Showdown makes this list for it's no nonsense approach that just gets things rolling.
5. "Pornography For Cowards" by Million Dead from A Song To Ruin
Who needs intros? For a their debut album Million Dead simple play the blister riff from the opener twice and scream. In less than 10 seconds you'll be rushing as if down the first big hill on a rattling, old roller-coaster...in and earthquake...headed straight to hell. And what a roller-coaster it is. At 30 seconds you're soring towards daylight again, 1:00 and you're rushing around corners build speed before the beginning of the end at 1:27 as you hurtle inevitably towards a wall. It's a musical rush that blows away the cobwebs and encourages you to "gird up your loins" ready for what follows.
6. "Needled 24/7" by Children Of Bodom from Hate Crew Deathroll
As with all power metal there's a lot going on from the opening chord stabs and any song the offers a solo within 20 seconds is a winner in my book, but what qualifies this for my list is it's accessibility. Children Of Bodom are hardly the most listener friendly of bands but the opener for their forth album is a catchy tour de force which will encourage you to dance along in a similar way to the best Dragonforce tracks. Not bad going for a band named after a triple murder from 1960.
7. "You Held the World In Your Arms" by Idlewild from The Remote Part
When your first track on the album is going to be a single and contains anthemic guitars, strings, driving drums and drunken shout along lyrics then you don't need an intro. A simple snare hit prepares you for the opening riff which hits full force and starts an album made by a band at the height of their powers. Three of the album's four singles are the first three tracks and this punchy start gives you everything you need except a chance to adjust the volume.
8. "Torn" by Creed from My Own Prison
When beginning an introspective album such as this bombast isn't necessarily right. There's no need to raise the pulse or get people dancing and the opening arpeggios of "Torn" do precisely the opposite. Scott Stapp's mournful vocals cut through beautifully as the track gets going and the grungy guitars reassure you that there's rock to come. By the time the track strips back to those arpeggios for the outro you'll be in no doubt what you are listening to and probably be nestled into a comfy chair clutching your favourite teddy.
9. "Did You Miss Me?" by The Cooper Temple Clause from See This Through And Leave
If you could capture the sound of my tinnitus it would be something close to the high note that rings through the first 2 minutes of this schizophrenic, electronic, noisy bastard of a track. It's got a face only a mother can love and will leave you feeling uncomfortable and slightly shaken before you realise it's actually a friend for life if only you can get past the hideousness of it all.
10. "Invaders Must Die" by The Prodigy from Invaders Must Die
If you're going to start an album with the title track it had better be a doozy. If you are a band going back to your roots it's doubly important. A simple bass riff fades in and after 49 seconds it hits. All the classic elements are there and any apprehension fades away as the music brings you up almost as much as the drugs (that you are most definitely not on!)

There you have it, 10 great tracks that begin varying quality albums that range from good to amazing. Have a listen and see what you think.
Cheers,
R.

The Rise And Fall Of Music Monday

12 weeks ago I started the first weekly update to this blog. Music Monday was to be my way of sharing my favourite lesser known bands with you all and for 10 weeks I delivered everything from hardcore punk to hip hop. Unfortunately for two weeks now I've let you down. There's two reasons for this: firstly I started to struggle to find quality artists to recommend and secondly I simple ran out of time on the the Monday's in question. Fear not music fans for Music Monday is not dead. Starting next week it's back and, hopefully, better than ever. For now here's a quick look back at the bands featured and reverandglass's pick for their best tracks:

Week 1 - Cats:For:Peru "Love in a Lift"
Week 2 - Gay For Johnny Depp "Shh, Put the shiv to my throat!"
Week 3 - Foxy Shazam "Wannabe Angel"
Week 4 - The Wake Effect "Ten Things to do if I Live"
Week 5 - The Pretty Reckless "Make Me Wanna Die"
Week 6 - Burn Before Reading "Markers"
Week 7 - My Vitriol "Falling off the Floor"
Week 8 - The Arkhams "She's Lost Control"
Week 9 - Fucked Up "Looking for God"
Week 10 - Cee Lo Green "Fuck You"

Well it's been an interesting 10 weeks and hopefully you'll check back next week to see the rebirth of Music Monday. In the mean time I'll leave you with a mini post for who should have featured in week 11:

There are few pieces of music, in the grand scheme of things, that are guaranteed to make the hairs stand up on the back of you next, that get the blood pumping in your veins faster than before, that make you want to get out of your seat and save the world. For me there are two pieces in particular that never fail to have that effect and the fact they both appear in the same movie just emphasises the point. The movie in question is Kick Ass and the composer John Murphy. You may not have heard of John Murphy, he's certainly not the household name John Williams is, but you'll probably know his work. If you've seen 28 Days Later, Sunshine or Kick Ass you'll be familiar with his soaring scores and even if you've missed all those amazing films you're bound to have seen Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels or Snatch. So for now it may be the end of Music Monday as we know it but turn the volume up and just enjoy Adagio in D Minor.
Cheers,
R.

Music Monday Week 10

This week's Music Monday couldn't have been made easier without someone typing it for me. Simon Pegg, bless him the hero that he is, suggested we all get Fuck You by Cee Lo Green to number across the world. It's actually a good track it NSFW so plug in you headphones and enjoy.



Now get yourself to http://www.ceelogreen.com/ for more information.

Cheers,
R.

Music Monday - Week 9

When I decided to start Music Monday I wrote four names on a scrap of paper. These were to be the first four bands featured and represent four of the six permanent fixtures on my walkman (mobile phone these days). But then three weeks in I forgot all about my list and started finding new bands to recommend. I made a mistake, I erred, I ballsed up. I'm desperately trying not to segway into the band's name with a terrible pun. The band I shamefully overlooked and bring to you now is Fucked Up.
       Now, I know they've been around for a long time and have been the darlings of MTV and NME in recent times but too few people know about them for my liking. First time I saw them I fell in love with this scary noise monster fronted by a fat, hairy man called Pink Eyes. Their brand of experimental punk combines all that's lovely and frightening about old school punk and all that remains of experimental that didn't disappear up the arse of prog in the seventies.




http://lookingforgold.blogspot.com/

Music Monday - Week 8

It's been one of those weeks where I've got nothing done. I've had a pile of bill waiting to be paid and a stack of emails clogging up my inboxes (that's right I have 3 email accounts to make me feel important!) The one thing I did manage to do, albeit accidentally, was find a band for Music Monday. The Arkhams hail from Queens, NYC and play "rock n roll like you’ve never heard while still respecting your good taste." Their song Insane features on the soundtrack to the videogame Wet which I picked up this week when I should really have been doing more productive things. Sounding like a blend of all good genres that end "-abily" The Arkhams raised a smile in me and instantly transport me to a grindhouse Rob Zombie flick directed by Quentin Tarantino anytime they're on my stereo. As ever, I recommend you check them out!



http://www.myspace.com/thearkhams
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Arkhams/45282022669

Music Monday - Week 7

Sneaking in just in time this week is the band that made my all time favourite album ever. If you don't already own Finelines by My Vitriol go out tomorrow and buy a copy. Despite only having released the one album and a deluxe edition with alternate mixes and b-sides they are still touring and recording. For now here's "Always: your way" (apologies for quality)



www.myspace.com/myvitriol

Music Monday - Week 6

A few months ago the local meat market hovel of a nightclub near me in Aldershot was taken over and turned into a reputable gig venue. As with all things these days they set up a facebook page to advertise upcoming gigs, one of their posts was commented upon by a young man from Farnham suggesting his band for a support slot. So impressed by this blatant self promotion and bravado I had to find out about the band for myself. So began my short, but entertaining, quest to find out more about Burn Before Reading.

Burn Before Reading

A short hop skip and a hyperlink across the web led me to a band Fierce Panda described as, "four young men from Farnham who play drivingly intense indie rock which is casually littered with the odd terrifically bionic chorus." Sounding somewhere between Maximo Park and The Editors with moments of the great and greatly missed Model Morning they skillfully craft 3 minute pop songs that no one would be ashamed to blast out their stereo on a summer's evening road trip. At this time of year I can think of no higher recommendation. They're bound to be playing a festival near you this summer so check out their website for free demos and then wait with eager anticipation for the full length album which I hear is on its way.


http://www.myspace.com/burnbeforereadingband
http://burnbeforereading.co.uk/

(special thanks to Shed Heyman for the info to help make this possible)

Music Monday - Week 5

I was struggling to find an act for week 5. When I started my installments of Music Monday I wanted to give shout outs to great bands you probably don't know, trouble is I'm not exactly at the cutting edge anymore. Most bands these days are more fussed about their pointy shoe, skinny jean, perfectly coiffed appearances than making music that still works without a laptop and more delay than a shitty rail company on a rainy day. So while I was trawling through the unsigned bands I befriended on myspace back when it was cool I realised all the good bands have split or made it big enough to be wasted on Music Monday. Then, while I was losing heart, I found, by way of Kerrang!, The Pretty Reckless.

 The first track I heard raised a wicked smile from the corners of my mouth. There's a playfully dirty voice that emanates from the dangerously beautiful Taylor Momsen who sounds more mature and worldly at her unbelievably young age of 16 than almost any other female vocalist I can think of on the young side of 30. Make Me Wanna Die featured on the Kick Ass soundtrack and just forces you to nod your head to it's infectious pulse just like the best sleazy rock should. Sleazy rock from a sixteen year old?! I'm avoiding making comparisons to Courtney Love but if Ms Love fronted Evanescence with Jack White on guitar you might come close to The Pretty Reckless. Their new EP is available at itunes and amazon (no I'm not posting links find them yourself) so surf across and purchase it now.

http://www.myspace.com/theprettyreckless
http://www.theprettyreckless.com/

Music Monday - Week 4

Delayed due to some pizza based sleepyness, but still as awesome as ever! This week I've had the good fortune to discover the wake effect. Their song 'Ten Things To Do If I Live' was used as the promo music for TNA wrestling's latest Pay Per View and a hop, skip and a web search later it turns out there's a whole album available to download, for free on the official website. Combining electronic rhythms with driven guitars to produce a typically American sounding brand of infectious rock that gets stuck in my head was a sure fire way to get promoted here. 'Ten Things To Do If I Live is in the middle of their range which does vary from soft ballads to full onrockers. Check 'em out!

http://www.thewakeeffect.com/
http://www.myspace.com/thewakeeffect

Music Monday - Week 3

It's not often that I come across a band whose name alone is sufficient to make me check them out. In the past I've been swayed into parting with my cash thanks to fit bass players (Million Dead), accidentally seen live performances (Gene) and once even because their t-shirt was cool (4ft Fingers) but until I received a email promoting gigs by this weeks choice I had never been intrigued just by a name. And what a name it is! As soon as I saw it I heard a crazy cacophony of sounds in my head, I imagined a circus of noise and fun and down right quirkiness that I could resist. And boy they didn't let me down! Foxy Shazam are everything fun experimental music can be, combining rock, pop, classical, metal and anything else they feel like into energetic works of art that feel like they might fall apart at any second but never fail to raise a smile. If you haven't heard them their myspace is full to bursting with tracks and videos and I cannot recommend them enough. The video is for 'A Dangerous Man' taken from 2008's 'Introducing' find headphones, turn up the volume and discover your new favourite band!

http://www.myspace.com/foxyshazam

Music Monday - Week 2

Knowing how much I fail at regular updates I'm disproportionately proud that today marks week 2 of Music Monday! Wooo yay! I was a little unsure about this band. I found them in the basement of Rock City supporting Million Dead on their final tour. They were the second best support act I didn't previously know (The Cooper Temple Clause are number 1). They have enjoyed such critical acclaim as Men Only (yes the porn mag) saying, "Well, you could probably not like them if you don't like your bands to scream their heads off and play riotous rock music, and by King Dong's false dick do they scream!" I love them in a far more hetero way than they love Johnny Depp. Enjoy, or be repulsed by, Gay For Johnny Depp.
cheers,
R.
http://www.gayforjohnnydepp.com/

Music Monday

In a probably failed attempt to provide at least some regular content to this blog I thought I'd use Monday nights to share some of my recommendations for bands and albums to light up your stereo and excite your ears. First up is cats:for:peru who hail from Sheffield. They recently release their debut album which I thoroughly recommend you pick up if you can. They have some great tracks on myspace my personal favourite being 'Love in a Lift' and they sound like "Perfect avant-pop that John Peel would undoubtedly be championing" according to Sandman Magazine. What more can I say except to suggest you also find out the story behind the name.
cheers,
R.

www.myspace.com/catsforperu