Jem Godfrey, a British music producer, was responsible for several pop hits, such as songs by Atomic Kitten and Holly Valance. However, do not let this news misguide you – Jem Godfrey’s progressive rock band, Frost*, is as far from the cheese-factor of these songs. However, with such an extensive period producing pop songs, he has brought his experience of creating catchy riffs and elements to progressive rock. Frost* was formed in 2004 with members of other popular prog-rock bands, Arena, Kino and IQ. In 2006, they put out their first album, “Milliontown”, a masterpiece in neo-progressive rock ending in an awesome twenty-six minute song. As is often the case with progressive rock, the length is often a hindrance to introducing a band. However, today’s track – the first on the album is a brilliant instrumental introduction to the band which reveals the awesome talents of the band. Although Frost* split up in 2007, they reformed last year and released a second album, “Experiments in Mass Appeal” which is also well worth a listen. For now, enjoy today’s track, “Hyperventilate”:
It’s been quite some time since I last posted anything on Something Chewie I admit. However, when I received today’s track by Calgary, Canada’s “The Unravelling”, I felt I would be doing a great disservice if I didn’t post what looks to be an incredibly promising new progressive rock band. Describing their debut album as a “psycho-analytical concept album”, you can expect to be in for some dark, moody – but fundamentally – deep music. Their album is set to release later this year, although in the mean time, the majority of their music can be heard on their official website. Here’s hoping you’ll enjoy today’s track, “In the Safe House”:
I’m currently away on holiday, so I’ve picked out one of my favourite posts of the last year for you to enjoy – so whilst I’m not here, you can still get some good music – and if you’re a new reader/listener, it might be something new to you, or encourage you to browse through the archives. I will be back in the beginning of September!
I thought it might be somewhat ironically iconic to start off the second month’s barrage of music with an alternate take on the very first track. But my logic tells me I’ve already gone and ruined that, because yesterday’s post was technically the 32nd track. Never fear, it has only delayed the inevitable! So, you heard 3 – Lay Down The Law back in the day (well, last month) and now let’s go to Joey Eppard (lead singer of 3)’s solo career – where he also performs a take on Lay Down The Law. The bonus here is, along with the rest of Eppard’s 15-track album "Been to the Future", is performed in acoustic, with everything performed by the man himself. Even acoustic-ised, it comes off as funky and groovy. So, here’s our second look at "Lay Down The Law":
A favourite around these parts, Scott Matthew (not to be confused with UK singer Scott Matthews) has had several tracks featured on Something Chewie. In early 2008, he released his first studio album, aptly self-titled. Fortuitously, the album was finally released in the UK this month, so now we (and Australia, New Zealand and Japan) can also get their hands on it. Once again, his gentle tones mix with his awesomely powerful music – backed by a variety of musicians to complete some mellow, sorrowful, but also uplifting pieces of music. Today’s track is taken from his new album, and since its now available in the UK too, there should be no excuse not to buy it! Enjoy today’s track, “Abandoned”:
British rock band, Thunder, constantly rate quite high in my list of all-time favourites. Formed in 1989, split up in 2000 and reformed in 2002, they’ve put out eight studio albums in their time. As I always tend to mention, there’s a slightly different Thunder in the old and the new, which can be said about many long-lasting bands. (*cough* Aerosmith *cough*) However, where Thunder succeeds is that the newer Thunder tracks haven’t come under any such hard criticism from original fans. So, today we’re going to select a track from their latest album, 2006’s “Robert Johnson’s Tombstone” – in typical Thunder style – a slow, building-up-to-epic rock ballad about a guy comforting a friend whos been unlucky in love. Let’s just get to the music, so, without further ado, enjoy today’s track, “A Million Faces”:
An American band who’s name stands for “Multi-sensory Aesthetic Experience” might at first sound a little pretentious, but their alternative and moody style of music certainly has a unique and peaceful feel, whilst still remaining energetic. Their first album, “Destination: Beautiful” was released in 2003, and they have gone on to release two further successful albums, including 2005’s “The Everglow” which was designed as a storybook, were the listener is told to open and read the book in the jewel case as the music progresses. Today’s track, however, is taken from their first album – enjoy “All Deliberate Speed”:
Time to knock it up several notches for some high-octane, upbeat and explosive music from Japanese electronica/rock duo, “Boom Boom Satellites”. A mix of big beats and heavy hitting guitars, the music is incredibly loud and punky – ready to help you forget today is Monday. Their seventh and latest album, from which today’s track is taken from, was released in 2007, is called “Exposed” and also features a track “Shut up and Explode” used as the opening theme tune to a new anime series Xam’D: Lost Memories – also, in fitting with an ongoing theme explosive and loud. Today’s track however, is “Upside down”, enjoy!
The Spill Canvas, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and formed in 2002, are oft regarded as an “emo” band (but once again, who listens to genres) but are probably closer to alternative rock. The band started as a side project for lead singer Nick Thomas, and was quite a departure from playing guitar in metalcore band “Nodes of Ranvier”. After four fairly successful albums, 2007’s “No Really, I’m Fine” reached #143 in the American Billboard 200 charts. Andrew McMahon of the band Something Corporate (and his own side project Jack’s Mannequin) guests on the album with his piano playing, and Anthony Green of experimental rock band “Circa Survive” also does guest backing vocals on another track “Bleed, Everybody’s Doing It”. A similarly titled EP, “Honestly, I’m Doing Okay” was released earlier this year and features bonus and acoustic tracks. Today’s track however is one of my favourites from the album, with a nice bit of trumpeting and sax going on in the background: enjoy “Low Fidelity”:
Eheheh… okay, so I got completely snowed under on Wednesday, then Thursday was of course busy (and by busy, I mean, I went to Manchester to see The Dark Knight on an IMAX cinema – and that does count as very important in my books!) and now it’s Friday and I’m completely snowed under again. Joy! Time for another Best Of to keep you satiated whilst I try my best to catch up on work? I think so! Today’s track is one of my favourite ever songs, and from the minute I first heard the shortened 1m30 used as a theme tune, I couldn’t wait for the full song. From the Japanese band Monoral, and on their latest album Turbulence, we have again "Kiri":
Formed in London in 2001 by a chance meeting of its founding band members, The Boxer Rebellion grouped together to make music, in their own style, epic and escapist. Their first album was released in 2005, and the band also toured extensively throughout Europe. I first heard them on the excellent series Long Way Down (starring Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman) on a soundtrack handpicked and on Peter Gabriel’s “world music” label, Real World Records. Their latest single (at the time), Broken Glass, was used as the opening music to each episode, and along with the rest of the soundtrack, really set the scene. Their description of epic and escapist music definitely fits their style, and this song is no exception to their excellent repertoire. So, enjoy today’s track, “Broken Glass”:
Jem Godfrey, a British music producer, was responsible for several pop hits, such as songs by Atomic Kitten and Holly Valance. However, do not let this news misguide you – Jem Godfrey’s progressive rock band, Frost*, is as far from the cheese-factor of these songs. However, with such an extensive period producing pop songs, he has brought his experience of creating catchy riffs and elements to progressive rock. Frost* was formed in 2004 with members of other popular prog-rock bands, Arena, Kino and IQ. In 2006, they put out their first album, “Milliontown”, a masterpiece in neo-progressive rock ending in an awesome twenty-six minute song. As is often the case with progressive rock, the length is often a hindrance to introducing a band. However, today’s track – the first on the album is a brilliant instrumental introduction to the band which reveals the awesome talents of the band. Although Frost* split up in 2007, they reformed last year and released a second album, “Experiments in Mass Appeal” which is also well worth a listen. For now, enjoy today’s track, “Hyperventilate”:
