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So Called Chaos - Alanis Morissette
by compbren
2004 saw Alanis Morissette release her 4th (6th if you count the two 'pop' albums she released in Canada) studio album. 'So Called Chaos' was the follow-up to the moderatly successsful 2001 album 'Under Rug Swept' which spawned two singles in the UK. 'So Called Chaos' is an 11 track album and tries to be a bit more mainstream than her ... previous albums. There's plenty of guitar on this album, lots of rock, some haunting ballads and once again she sounds like a one woman dictionary with her extensive and somewhat confusing vocabulary, but I think that is definitly appealing for any Morissette fan.
Opening song 'Eight Easy Steps' is a fast paced pop song. It's a very energetic song and leaves you feeling exhausted afterwards. It's such a brilliant opening song and a great statement on the album. The song itself is showing that Alanis is dysfunctional but very knowing of it and she's basically saying "Yeah I have flaws but I'm amazing anyway!". Although it wasn't released as a single in the UK, it was in American and had a fantastic video acccompaning it, it shows Alanis in present time singing the song and going backwards through all her music videos right until the start of her life. Very clever. 10/10.
'Out Is Through' is the second song on the album. This became the albums second single in the UK. It's more of a 'guitar-y'' and I was very much suprised when they chose to release it as a single (saying that though, Alanis never ususually picks the right songs to release on her later albums!). It's got a great chorus though and a nice message about how you must go through the tough times in order to find peace at the end. 9/10.
'Excuses' is my FAVOURITE song on the album. I would describe it as a light guitary breezy pop song full of energy. The song is about making excuses to keeping yourself safe and warm. Core Alanis fans will notice that the ending of this song is the same as her song on her 'Unplugged' album 'No Pressure Over Cappucinno', whether this was intentional or not Alanis has never said but it definatly works better for this song. Shame it never made it to being a single as this could've been a big mainstream hit. Perfect driving song. 10/10.
'Doth I Protest Too Much', when I first heard the album this song stuck out to me, I liked the way it just keep 'rolling along'. It's much slower than the previous three songs on the album. I think the song is about allowing your boyfriend to 'goggle' at other women but don't show any jealousy - hence the title of the song. 8/10.
'Knees Of My Bees' - Uh-oh Alanis and her weird song titles keep coming. I think this is the first semi- dissapointing song on the album. The song has a catchy chorus but I have no idea what the song is about. Definatly a 'marmite' song. 6/10.
'So Called Chaos' - The title track on the album, Alanis usually uses song lyrics to name her albums so this is a complete change. The song itself is kind of 'moody' and 'angry' where she is claiming she wants to 'run naked through the streets' and 'invite this so-called chaos that you thin I dare not be'. I think here she is singing about her fame and not being able to be 'normal' although she appreciates her success. For a while I tended to skip this song on the album but recently i've grown to it. It's not a highlight by any means but it fits in very well on the album. 7/10.
'Not All Me' - I really like this song. It's about not taking the whole blame in a relationship. Brilliant song 9/10.
'This Grudge' - A very mellow song now. It's about Alanis holding a grudge for many many years now and maybe realising that this is the time that she let go. Could it be about the guy mentioned in 'Jagged Little Pill?'. 10/10.
'Spineless' - A weird one here, maybe a little sarcastic too. Alanis is bowing down to her boyfriend and being a spineless fool like so many people end up being in relationships. We all know Alanis could never be like that! Anyway, it's a nice fun song and definitly worth checking out 8/10.
'Everything' - We reach the final song on the album and this was the first single. It's a slow track, very MOR and a poor choice to lead the album. The song isn't bad thought but it's not the Alanis I like, she's in a relatonship here and is happy happy happy! I prefer angry Alanis when she really has SOMETHING to be angry about. 8/10.
Summery:
A great effort. There isn't really a bad song on here, the album has lots of varity to it and is a very radio friendly album.
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Scarecrow - John Mellencamp
by Jarisleif
"Scarecrow" is the 8th studio album by American artist, John Mellencamp. It was released in 1985 on Riva Records and produced by Mellencamp with Don Gehman.
With a slightly harder edge than some of his previous efforts, you still feel the heart and soul of the artist shining through with honesty and a sense of pride ... in who he is as a person, and where he is from. John Mellencamp has never been a pretentious man, wanting people to believe he is someone he is not, and that attitude toward life comes through in his songs. This album contains some rocking songs, but it still has a humble, rural feel to it without straying into the realm of country music.
Title song, "Rain on the Scarecrow" raises awareness of how many farm families lost not only their livelihoods, but homes, farms and dignity during the Regan era. The song has a haunting quality to it, with lyrics that give a sense of justified anger.
"Small Town", with a fun to sing along with chorus, tells of how Mellencamp feels about his hometown of Seymour, Indiana, and also Bloomington, Indiana where he was living at the time the song was written. You get the sense that small town life is far better all the way around.
"R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." is an all around rock anthem tribute to the men and women of the 60s era who gave their all to pursue their musical careers and pave the way for those who followed. With a flute and organ section and lyrics sung with a lot of passion, it is a brilliant song.
Whether you are from the heart of the country or the biggest of cities, it is easy to appreciate the heartland rock in this album. It is easy to get immersed in these songs, and appreciate them for their uncomplicated, laid back quality. I'd recommend it for anyone, because it has a wide appeal and lyrics suited to anyone without having a 'family appeal' feel to them.
1. Rain on the Scarecrow
2. Grandma's Theme
3. Small Town
4. Minutes to Memories
5. Lonely Ol' Night
6. The Face of the Nation
7. Justice and Independence '85
8. Between a Laugh and a Tear
9. Rumbleseat
10. You've Got to Stand For Somethin'
11. R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.
My rating: 9/10
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The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh - Cradle Of Filth
by sufrance
The first CoF album - and while it's not strictly true that they arrived fully formed, the CoF trademarks were in place. The longwinded, suitelike arrangements (although most of the songs are relatively short) with inventive use of keyboards, the frequent use of female vocalists (to portray characters in the lyrics), Dani Filth (aka ... Dani Davey)'s powerful growl/screech vocals, and his lyrics that manage to be poetic, ornate, and 19th-century in tone, at the same time as being guaranteed to offend the religious and those with an allergy to swearing.
The biggest distinguishing factor on the album is that Dani hasn't quite grown into his voice. The upper register is the difference - where you would expect to hear a scream, he instead uses a mid-range tone that might remind you of David Tibet (a la "Panzer Ruin").
But back to the lyrics - the main focus of attention. He really doesn't care who he offends - there are anti-Christian-Church lines in a couple of songs which could be interpreted as anti-Semitic...if you weren't taking the time and trouble to study the album as a whole.
To those who are studying the lyrics, what should come across very clearly, on this album in particular, is that Dani uses the mask of Satanist and/or Pagan (he seems to have trouble separating the two) as a means of advancing an anarchistic agenda. It's not just certain churches he objects to, but all in authority - all those who wish to oppress. Lots of lyricists use this "technique" but few do so as adeptly, or with as much poetic skill.
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