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[MUSIC] THE SAVAGE ANIMAL
"Dirty Disks V.1" |
01.26.11 |
BY MIKEY MIGO
Before high speed internet took over my life, I didn’t have access to every song ever made. YouTube has pretty much given us anything and everything we could ask for. They’re official music videos, singles, live footage, covers, and a whole lot of “videos” that feature an album cover to go along with every track on an album. If I want to hear it, I can type it into YouTube and more times than not, I’m going to be able to hear what I want with multiple choices.
Before this, I had to rely on singles, music videos, reviews, and word of mouth. That was never enough for me. I have always taken pride in “finding new bands”. I used to enjoy taking that risk with buying a CD. I could buy the CD, listen with hopeful ears, and then either love or hate the results. Sadly, I made a lot of mistakes. I bought in haste after hearing only one song or because I heard it was good. You live and learn, I guess.
I was recently moving some old boxes and came across a slew of old CDs, many of which fit this category. If they weren’t from my own personal collection I’d make fun of the poor schmuck who bought these disks. Yes, I cross some embarrassing lines that in retrospect had to be because of rather “cloudy” judgment. Now, we fast forward to 2011 and we can look back and laugh together…
Between The Never and The Now by Vendetta Red
(2003) - I blindly bought this CD after hearing the single “Shatterday”. I just listened to it again for the first time in easily five years and it’s pretty bad. I can’t believe I liked this song. I get why. It’s a catchy tune and had a weird rhythm. But dammit, who am I kidding? This is the same screamo-emo stuff that I went out of my way to make fun of since the phrase “emo” was coined for the recently popular rock subgenre. The sticker on the CD says the CD features “Shatterday,” “Seconds Away,” “Stay Home,” and “Opiate Summer”. I couldn’t tell you how any of these songs sounded. I can tell you that this CD hasn’t been played more than three times. I don’t think this band ever really panned out. I never heard about them again and I never saw them on any tour.
Winning Days by The Vines
(2004) - Around this time all the talk was about “the bands”. We had “The Strokes”, “The White Stripes”, and “The Hives” at start. Of course The White Stripes ended up being the best with The Strokes still very very good. The Hives had a few songs to get airplay, but my pick for the third place winner of the time was The Vines. I was a big fan of “Ride” as were a lot of commercials and promotional companies apparently. That’s really the extent of what the band did. They came out at the right time and got their one big single in to collect royalties on. I’m looking at the track listing and these titles are far more familiar than I thought they would be. I remember being a fan of Autumn Shade II, but I couldn’t tell you how it or Autumn Shade I, which I have to assume exists, sounds. In retrospect, I wish I had just bought Red Vines instead. At least I can flush the results.
Babylon by Skindred
(2004) - I heard the single for “Nobody” was completely sold. It turns out the band is reggae-metal. I guess I can hear that in the “Nobody” single, but I didn’t at the time. To me it sounded like a cross between Korn and System of a Down. I was so into this song. I instantly thought this band was going to blow up. The single was solid as hell. The rest of the album fell on deaf ears, including my own. I never got into the CD, but I always kept my ear and eye out for anything else on the band. I’m happy to report they’ve kept on truckin’. They’ve put out a few more albums since this one and have toured extensively. I suggest checking out their latest album for a great cover of “Electric Avenue”. For realzies…
Neurotica by Neurotica
(2002) - I heard the song “Ride of Your Life” on WWF programming. The WWF signed the band to a record deal and I put out one album. Before that they were indie, but with tons of credibility. Their first albums were produced by AC/DC’s Brian Johnson and they did get on the 2002 Ozzfest tour. They broke up soon after when they were dropped from the label. They didn’t seem to really get a chance and WWF really didn’t have a clue as to what they were doing with their music branch. The vocalist of the band was Kelly Shaefer, who got his start in death metal and then would audition for both Drowning Pool and Velvet Revolver before going back to his death metal roots. I really dug the one single though. It reminded me of Alice In Chains meets Disturbed… I guess… but different. This makes me want to check out Atheist though. That’s something, I suppose…
Dirty Sexy Knights In Paris by Audiovent
(2002) - I used to love me some Incubus. I mean I still do, but it’s not nearly at the level it was back in the early part of this millennium. I loved them so much that I even took a liking to Brandon Boyd’s little brother’s band, Audiovent. The band’s single was “The Energy” and I dug it. I saw the video on Chicago’s JBTV back in the day and thought it was good stuff. So I went out and got this CD. It did nothing for me at all. The only song on it that I even remotely remember is the single that hooked me in to begin with. Well, “Looking Down” is another I think I remember. I don’t know, man. They sound okay, but don’t seem to have their own voice. I’d of been curious to hear them evolve, but no luck there.
A Night At The Roxbury Soundtrack by Various Performers
(1998) - I REALLY enjoyed the movie and sketch from SNL. I was a Will Ferrell fan from the start, but this movie is where he became a part of my heart. I bought the CD because I was a super fan and I thought it’d be hilarious to own “What Is Love” by Haddaway. Of course in my young mind I thought that I’d have plenty of chances to crank up the song for laughs and enjoyment. That never happened and I always felt kind of douchey for having this CD in my collection. Also on this great album is Cyndi Lauper doing “Disco Inferno”, a dance mix of Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy”, La Bouche’s “By My Lover”, and “Beautiful Life” by Ace of Base. Yes, folk… Ace of Base!
Welcome To Jamrock by Damian Marley
(2005) - You smoke a little weed and ought of a sudden everything sounds better. You listen to the son of Bob Marley and you really want it to be good. It was for the most part. I bought this CD specifically because I was sold on the “Welcome to Jam Rock” single. It was gritty, rough and was catchy as hell. In my haste, I took my enjoyment of one isolated single and bought the album. It’s reggae rock. It’s not Bob Marley. I realize now it’s not fair to listen for that when listening to the man’s son, but six years ago I was a different person. I just didn’t get into this and bought it for the single. That’s all there really is to this. I saw Gong Jr. in concert with Nas a few years ago and while the crowd seemed to mildly enjoy it, I didn’t and ended up leaving. Not my cup of tea, but if it floats your boat. Go for it.
What are some CDs YOU are embarrassed about purchasing and still haven’t gotten rid of them yet?
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