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Throbbing Gristle’s “20 Jazz Funk Greats” Turns 40

In December of 1979 “Throbbing Gristle” released their “Industrial” classic 20 Jazz Funk Greats. Don’t let the name fool you, you won’t hear Jazz or Funk on this record, instead you’ll hear 11 tracks of uncompromising Industrial that incorporates various elements of Synth-Pop, Post-Punk, and Disco, but these genres are mutilated and drenched in the band’s anti-music style. The lyrical content consists of erotic themes and taboo subject matter, because, well….. it’s Throbbing Gristle. About the misleading and quite humorous album cover, member Cosey Fanni Tutti has stated “We did the cover so it was a pastiche of something you would find in a Woolworth’s bargain bin. We took the photograph at the most famous suicide spot in England, called Beachy Head. So, the picture is not what it seems, it is not so nicey nicey at all, and neither is the music once you take it home and buy it. We had this idea in mind that someone quite innocently would come along to a record store and see the record and think they would be getting 20 really good Jazz/Funk greats, and then they would put it on at home and they would just get decimated.” This album is regarded by many as the band’s best work, and it’s hard to argue with that. This was some of the most unique and innovative music unlike anything that came out of the 70’s, and is still a tough and incredibly disturbing listen today, and let’s not forget the massive influence the band had on all of the Industrial artists that followed. Happy Anniversary.

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Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” Turns 40

On this day in 1979 “Pink Floyd” released their legendary Rock opera The Wall. Though this was the point where member Roger Waters took it upon himself to take complete control of the band, which slowly diminished the rest of the band’s creative input, (he even fired pivotal member Richard Wright) this album still came out to be one of music’s most iconic concept albums. This album is an extensive cinematic experience that tells the story of a burnt out Rock star named Pink who begins to isolate himself from society which leads to his descent into madness. The character of Pink was based on Roger Waters himself and former member Syd Barrett. The album can be a bit pretentious, but the narrative of Pink’s mental downfall is captivating. The instrumentation was a lot more stripped back, which made room for the album’s narrative, but the theatrical and climactic moments added to the intensity of the album. In my opinion this was the band’s final masterpiece, but it also was the point where the band slowly began to fall apart, regardless of the creative differences and egos that plagued the band, their discography is the stuff of innovative legends, and The Wall is one of the best concept albums ever recorded. Happy Anniversary.

Public Image Limited’s “Second Edition” Turns 40

On this day in 1979 Public Image Ltd. (PiL) released their second album Second Edition. The album was originally released as Metal Box, taking it’s name from the metal canister that contained pressings of the record. A standard version was later released as Second Edition which featured the same tracklist. On this album lead singer John Lydon pushed his ambition to shed the restrictions of Punk Rock, which became too commercialized and one-dimensional even further by incorporating elements of Dub, Post-Punk, and Krautrock, all of which were no-go territory for Punk Rock purists. This was the last album to feature original bassist Jah Wobble, and though the band still thrived following his departure, Wobble’s input is irreplaceable on this album with his Dub/Funk inspired bass grooves which complimented Keith Levene’s wall of disjointed guitar sounds and John Lydon’s wailing vocals perfectly. Second Edition is an essential album in the Post-Punk world. Happy Anniversary.

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Maryze Shares New Music Video for “B.O.Y.”

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There’s just something about Maryze’s music that will put you in a meditative state. A meditative state of self-realization and self-acceptance. Anyone can listen to her smooth, sensual, and thought-provoking sound and find solace regardless of what background you come from, so it’s no surprise that her single “B.O.Y.” resonates greatly. Off her latest E.P. Like Moons, an E.P. that displays her eclectic talent with mood-shifting “R&B” with an experimental side, “B.O.Y” (because of you) is described by Maryze as “reclaiming control from whatever toxic pattern is holding you back, whether it’s within yourself, or with another person.” Produced by BrotherNature, the track carries a 90’s R&B/Hip Hop feel, but manages to stand on it’s own while Maryze’s vocals carry a balance of melancholy and upliftment guiding the listener to liberation. The music video, directed by Mexican-Canadian artist Malaika Astorga is wonderfully shot with an earthly look displaying the spiritual beauty of mother nature. You can watch the music video for “B.O.Y.” below:

Street Sects Release Music Video for New Single “If Life is a Gift, It’s in Very Poor Taste”

And the award for song title of the year goes to….. Seriously, there’s nothing like listening to Street Sects’ music and brutally screaming out your existential pain. They’re truly a genuine band who pour everything they have onto their music, and it’s captivating. The band will release their new E.P. Gentrification IV: Suspended from Gallery Rails this Friday via “The Flenser,” and today they have shared a music video for the opening track “If Life is a Gift, It’s in Very Poor Taste.” You can watch the music video below:

Korn’s “Issues” Turns 20

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On this day in 1999 “Korn” released their fourth album Issues. At the height of the “Nu-Metal” craze of the late 90’s, the music world became saturated with copy after copy of bands jumping on the band wagon creating trendy music devoid of originality. Though 1999 was when “Nu-Metal” was at it’s peak with bands like “Limp Bizkit” climbing the charts, (kinda laughable now isn’t it?) the genre at the same time was on it’s way out, but the pioneers of “Nu-Metal,” as is the case of most pioneering bands, “Korn” weren’t interested in repeating the “Nu-Metal” tropes they helped create, instead they experimented even further with their album Issues, but this time stripped back their sound reducing it to a simplistic heaviness, a heaviness that was immensely polished and had a new strict sense of focus thanks to producer Brendan O’Brien who didn’t allow the band to party and fool around. Issues was heavy no doubt, but this album found lead singer Jonathan Davis delivering his best and most melodic vocal work. It’s almost as if this is Korn’s Pop album, well, whatever tortured, incredibly dark, and unsettling Pop world this album can belong to. Of course “Korn” are still active today with a large devoted following of passionate fans, but Issues marked the end of an era, and displayed the band’s refusal to succumb to trends. Happy Anniversary.

Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez Turns 10

On this day in 2009 Underground Hip Hop supergroup “Felt” released their third album Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez. The group consisted of rappers Murs and Slug, working with a different producer for each album. Felt 3 is arguably the group’s best album, once again switching their style up thanks to Aesop Rock’s unique production. This album signified the end of an era for Underground Hip Hop. The go to scene for Hip Hop heads who wanted to hear substance, flow, and lyricism as opposed to hearing the mindless stuff that was being played on the radio reigned supreme all throughout the 2000’s, and Felt 3 was almost like an unintentional last hurrah, because let’s face it, the majority of artists in the underground scene didn’t really make anything essential in the next decade, but they made their staple in time and influenced a myriad of younger artists taking the D.I.Y. route. What better way to represent the underground than to feature 3 artists representing 3 essential crews in the scene? Slug represented “Rhymesayers” from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Murs represented “Living Legends” from California, and Aesop Rock represented the now defunct “Definitive Jux” label from New York. 3 different styles colliding but working perfectly together with innovative and at times odd as Hell production and an impeccable back and fourth between Murs and Slug as they range from boastful flow and mature themes, to vivid storytelling. I can’t think of a better album to end an era. Happy Anniversary.

Czar Share New Music Video for “A Loathing,” Announce New Album

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Colorado based band “Czar” are pretty new to the Rock world, but it’s evident that the band have been working hard since their formation in 2018. The band will release their debut album on January 31st 2020 via “Black Bow Records,” and what a perfect way to start off the new decade. Through my eyes Rock music is having a renaissance at the moment. Though interest in the myriad of styles and artistry in Rock has yet to reach the mainstream, (if it ever will) bands of all Rock genres have been creating the most captivating music as of late, and now we can add “Czar” to that list. Today the band premiered their new music video for their single “A Loathing,” a track that evokes the spirit of bands such as “Tool” or “Helmet,” but has it’s own staple of melodic accessibility and thoughtful inward-looking lyricism. This song sounds very 90’s, and that’s not a bad thing, because instead of going on a nostalgia trip and completely emulating the 90’s, the band show us that there’s much more to explore in the music that once was on top 20 years ago. You can watch the music video for “A Loathing” below:

Ministry’s “The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste” Turns 30

On this day in 1989 “Industrial” legends “Ministry” released their fourth album The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste.” Diving further into the “Thrash Metal” leanings that popped up on their previous album The Land of Rape and Honey, The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste was the first album that found the band fully developing their signature style of Thrash-leaning “Industrial Metal” with countless samples and unrelenting heaviness. Sole member Al Jourgensen has been vocal about his disappointment with this album, citing the chaotic background of the recording and the fact that him and pivotal band-mate Paul Barker were never in the same room during the recording of the album as the reason for that, but that chaos translated to the music quite well with it’s aggressive and terrifying darkness. This album was the complete reinvention of the band. A reinvention that still hasn’t been matched to this day. Happy Anniversary.

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Le Tigre’s Self-titled Debut Turns 20

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On this day in 1999 “Le Tigre” released their self-titled debut album. Following the disbandment of “Bikini Kill,” lead singer Kathleen Hanna formed Le Tigre with fellow musicians Johanna Fateman and Sadie Benning. Le Tigre were originally intended to be the live supporting band for Hanna’s solo project “Julie Ruin,” but the band took on a life of it’s own and they began writing their own original material. On their self-titled debut the band used organs, samplers, turntables, drum machines, and guitars to create music that was “Electronic” based but featured the feminist political lyrics Bikini Kill were known for, and Kathleen Hanna’s raucous vocals were as strong as ever. This album revolutionized both “Punk” and “Electronic” music, two genres that couldn’t be more opposite from each other. This album is proof that political music can also be catchy and melodic. Happy Anniversary.

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