Wednesday 26 June 2013

A snap shot of The Neo-Kalashnikovs Favourite Rock Albums

I just wanted to share some of The Neo-Kalashnikovs favorite Rock records of recent times. Many of you know that we are into a whole range of artists from Iggy Pop to The Black Keys and our all time favorite Nirvana. The reason I want to share our influences with you for is because I recently read that

"The album is Dead"

The music critics said this was due to the fact that the internet era had destroyed the album economically. Apparently "the album was the only form that the music industry found to monetize music", really?? t-shirts, live shows, endorsements seem to spring to mind. But whatever the case I don't think albums will be going anywhere anytime soon and if anything they well just get better and better. Lets face it a classic album is much better than a hit record because it lasts longer, a hit single is here one day gone tomorrow a classic album lasts forever in every new generation.

Here they are:
The Black Keys: "Brothers" (Soul drenched Swamp Rock)
http://youtu.be/8oIleJxHTN0

This album is so sick and it's not just because it was recorded at Muscle Shoals studio were The Rolling Stones recorded "Goat's Head Soup" & Lynyrd Syynrd recorded "Freebird". It's wicked because of the super groovy drum feels, rocktastic guitar tones and powerful lyrics, the vocals are also distorted to perfection vocals. The ethos of Patrick Carney the bands drummer is right on as well he says if in doubt play the drums as hard as you can!!!.

The Silversun Pickups - Swoon (L.A Rock at its Best)
http://youtu.be/C9lEkiKP8LM

I remember when I heard this record I was impressed I listened to it constantly on repeat for quite a while. Seeing the lead singer at a tiny gig in at Echo Park in Cali also springs not mind such good vibes surround this record. They are such a veteran band the lead singer said that if he played to 7 people and made a connection that was the best thing ever. They played around L.A for almost 10 years a lot of people thought they were rubbish.
The album is just pure symbol of perseverance in the face of adversity. The Silversun Pickups name also comes from the local liquor store they youse to frequent a lot!!. Apparently they lived on Miller's Beer for a couple of months lol. My favorite tracks on this record are "The Royal We", "Growing Old is Getting Old" and "Panic Switch".

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (Road Worn Battle Rock)
http://youtu.be/uElD3acEdsQ

Well this album is an older album but you can't really top it. The album can be best described as a "F&%kin Fighter". Tom Petty's emotion in this album is spellbinding. I'm surprised this album doesn't punch you in the face when you put it on it has so much attitude. I love the drumming on this album because even though the drummer was a maniac and everyone wanted to get rid of him he just had that swag. I reckon if hadn't been on the album this record would have been rubbish. As it were though he made the cut and drummed this record into rock history. You can also really hear that this album was recorded on tape by pros. The musicianship on every song is spectacular. I really can't say enough good stuff about this record.

Nirvana - Nevermind (GRUNGE)
http://youtu.be/olLrLsPsSZk

This album is amazing and It really annoys me to hear how Butch Vig was the guy who made this record a rock milestone. Without Kurt Cobian, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic this album wouldn't even exist. One of the most important people outside the band that made this record the utter business was Andy Wallace who fixed up the whole record after Butch Vig did a lame ass job mixing the album. Kurt Cobain apparently went into the studio and told Mr Vig to give up because all he heard was treble. Anyway Wallace delivered the bass and compression in the mixes that made "Nevermind" well "Nevermind". "In The Bloom", "Come As You Are" and "Smell's Like Teen Spirit" are my favourites. This is a sick album if not the sickest album ever!!!.