Song #83: Rolo Tomassi - "The French Motel"

 

These kids kicked of Soundwave over on the joint 5 and 6 stages. There were a couple of troubles with sound, but once they got into the swing of it, they were fucking awesome. See that cute little blonde girl? She can scream better than you and nearly every other throaty dude on the bill. It was terrifying and terrific at the same time.

The French Motel is one of the tracks they played that is going to be on their second album, due out a little later this year. Apparently cats like M.I.A. and Santogold are going to be producing and stuff, which is pretty cool. As per the "norm" with these guys (if there is such a thing), there is a shitload of musical movements and progressions, complete with dual vocals, big guitar and quick flips in tempo that keep everything engaging and exciting. This lot are definitely ones to watch out for this year.

FINAL RATING (/10): 8

The new record should be out within the next quarter.

x

David

Song #82: Faith No More - "Collision"

Saturday was my chance to get into as much FNM as I possibly could. This was the first thing to hit my ears when I pumped up the first album that comes up alphabetically in my list of FNM albums - Collision is the first track from FNM's final album Album of the Year.

There's significantly less funk-rock and groove in this track than their better known material. It's straight into the heavy guitar riffing, big drums and wailing harmonies. Mike Patton once again goes to great extents to show off his insane vocal range, and for this reason alone it's worth a listen. Seriously, the dude is an absolutely insane voice artist; takes on so many great styles. It's an interesting introduction to Album, as well, as the song is somewhat of anomaly amongst the tracklisting. Still, it's pretty sweet. FNM don't do bad.

FINAL RATING (/10): 7

If you miss FNM at Soundwave, you join the Dead-To-Me list.

x
David

Song #6: H.I.M. - "Heartkiller"

Ohh, His Infernal Majesty. You used to be so tough and edgy and cool and all the goth kids would praise your every move. The tunes were rockin' and we'd all sing along about heartache, vampires, death, destruction, whatever was on your faux-Robert-Smith mind. So what happened?

Fucksticks like Bam Margera happened.

Ever since he got the Heartagram tattoo, Jackass followers got caught in the craze and for awhile there, it was really cool to like the band - hell, in year nine you weren't cool if you didn't listen to them. This sent Ville Valo and company into a tailspin, resulting in albums that were either patchy (Dark Light) or just plain average (Venus Doom). After a couple of years out of the limelight, it's now time for the band's imminent return. Have they learned anything in their time away? Sadly, no.

Firstly, Heartkiller? What kind of a fucking name is that?

Beyond that, as well as the laughable Nintendo fight-scene intro, this really is H.I.M. on autopilot. Stadium rock drums, pseudo-epic chorus and wannabe "prince of darkness" lyrics are all chewed up and subsequently spat out as the flavour quickly dies. Ultimately, the only noticable change is that Finland-born Valo sounds a LOT more American these days. And really, when that's the only major thing one can notice, you KNOW something's up.

FINAL RATING (/10): 4.5

This is pretty much fans-only. And considering there can hardly be as many fans as there were back in the day, this is pretty much gonna be a niche market track.

The new album's out in February, and they play Soundwave around the same time. Doubt I'll be seeing them, though.

XX

David

Song #1: Motion City Soundtrack - "Her Words Destroyed My Planet"

 

Motion City Soundtrack were one of my favourite bands from the middle of my teenage years. They were one of those pop-punk bands that so many people my age (fifteen or so) absolutely adored for their catchy hooks and their way with words - songs like Everything is Alright and Hold Me Down epitomized just what was going through my head around that age.

I never grew out of them. I saw them live in 2008 and they were wonderful; even if I didn't connect with the album they were touring on the back of - Even if It Kills Me - as much as I did Commit This To Memory.
If their new track is anything to go by, however, I think I'm about to fall completely in love with them all over again.

Her Words Destroyed My Planet is the second track to be lifted as a preview of their upcoming fourth album, My Dinosaur Life. This is a very interesting song in the respect that, in spite of distancing itself from the band's light and airy side, it still has that same addictive kick that keeps you wanting to listen to them. It starts off with heavier-toned guitar and a delivery in the style of early Weezer or Alkaline Trio, before bowling over listeners with their catch-cry ironically joyous chorus. It's great to see vocalist Justin Pierre trying different things with his vocal delivery as well, not just relying on his upper-nasal wail that appears in more or less every MCS song.

FINAL RATING (/10): 9

 
This is the exact kind of song that I listen to, and then immediately want to listen to again seconds after it's finished. What a fantastic way to kick off my challenge.

If you'd like to hear the song, head over to Spin Online and stream it for yourself. It's also available right now on iTunes.

If you're in Australia and would like to see them, then catch them at Soundwave 2010, or their two Sidewaves supporting the recently-reformed Sunny Day Real Estate. Booya!

XX
David