Who Needs Coffee When There's Incesticide?

This morning the usual two to three cups of coffee didn't quite do its job. Some days the rain and lack of sunlight really does a number on my attitude. The Northwest is a dark and somber environment during the winter months and no amount of caffeine offers a good fix. So I did what I've always done when I need a little inspiration - I listened to music. Loud music. And since I live in Seattle I thought it would be appropriate to listen to something that matched the mood and the elements outside.

Naturally, I chose Nirvana's "Incesticide." It isn't the band's most popular album by any stretch, but that's probably why I like it so much. Insecticide has a harder edge than "Nevermind" or "In Utero," yet it's more polished than "Bleach." Much of the reason I enjoy the album is because of Dave Grohl's drumming. The band did quite a few covers on this one but it's hard to tell. And much of it has a Melvins influence; since Kurt was a roadie for the Melvins, it makes sense. The track "Aero Zeppelin" definitely has Buzzo overtones, with plenty of change-ups and heavy guitar riffs.

The songs "Stain" and "Beeswax" are my favorites. Lots of heavy guitar work, driving drum beats and ample Kurt screaming/singing. I took it upon myself to turn my eighties-era tower speakers up loud, probably offending my neighbors in the process, and played air guitar for a few minutes before hopping on my bike to battle the rain and the daily onslaught of inattentive drivers whom, unfortunately, probably aren't listening to Insecticide (actually that may be a good thing - hopefully they're listening to Beethoven to set their mood).

Those old Onkyo speakers of mine still crank it out. I may have damaged my ears, but at least my teeth weren't getting further stained from drinking more coffee.

Old School

I recently discovered a blog created by a guy named Nate (www.truepunkmetal.blogspot.com). On his blog he posts some amazing downloads of extremely difficult, and almost impossible, to find '80s era punk and metal. He is a wealth of information and grew up in and around the same type of environment I did - an environment of metalheads, punkers and jocks.

Back then there was a small group of us from Loveland, Colo., who were not into

what everyone else was into at the time, musically or socially - especially the jocks (before Metallica was cool to them) and preppie types. We chose to be outcasts, listening to and looking like the people we related to - the other outcasts and pissed off teenagers in America. We grew our hair long, we wore leather and denim jackets with drawings of our favorite bands on them, bands like Slayer, Cryptic Slaughter, Dark Angel, Circle Jerks and D.R.I. We went to shows, many times for free, to see bands who played with conviction. Although sometimes the music wasn't the most technical or talented, it was pure - unlike much of the nonsense played on popular radio and television shows.

- Attitude Adjustment ... mid-'80s -

I see a new generation of kids who look like we did back then, sporting Slayer patches and looking "hesher," and I kind of feel for them. Not because I have that "back in mmyyyyy day" mentality, but because it was more fresh then. Seeing Slayer at sixteen years old, shortly after the band released "Reign In Blood," was like a badge of honor. It was both frightening and life changing. Watching bands like Slayer perform now is different; not any worse per se, just different. It doesn't feel as "fresh." And how can it be when Tom Araya has gone gray and Kerry King has long lost his hair and gained extra weight. But hey, as long as there are still kids out there on the fringes, listening to and creating the next generation of "underground" music, things still seem to be ok. Now where did I put those Depends?

Tears for Odd Haircuts

I have recently been [re]listening to Tears for Fears' "The Hurting" at my workplace. And I must say, for a band who really cheesed out in their later years, "The Hurting" is a good album. It is both poetic and sad. It has good synth and bass lines. It also boasts a few saxophone riffs.

For the record, I hate saxophones. I mean I really hate them. They remind of shitty jazz stations and Kenny G. If you want a horned instrument that provokes a little complexity and emotion, pick up a trombone. Seriously. That said, somehow TFF manages to make the sax sound, well, alright.

The album's first song, "The Hurting," is sheer '80s, with quirky changes and bright and almost-danceable beats. Sure, it's a bit sappy lyrically, but one can look past that, right?

"Mad World" is a great song. It's been covered by a myriad of musicians, but the original is still the best. Great lyrics and mood.

"Pale Shelter" may be my favorite song on the album. I like the way it feels. Sure, it has that "Weird Science" vibe but the harmonies are brilliant and the synths are cool.

"Ideas as Opiates" is probably the rawest on "The Hurting." Using a simple electronic beat and piano, the lyrics consist of:

Say what you want

Say what you will

'Cos I find you think what makes it easier

And lies spread on lies

We don't care

Belief is our relief

We don't care

'Nuff said.

"Memories Fade" is the longest song of the LP. And it feels like it, albeit there are some cool Cure-type synths in there. My other complaint - the saxophone. Please kill the saxophone, please.

"Suffer the Children" is the song many new "Indie" bands are trying to replicate and only wish they could.

On "Watch Me Bleed," the bass line was borrowed from the Cure, again. Definitely not my favorite.

Change. You can't change. Change." Enough said.

"The Prisoner" is creepy. I like creepy.

The final song, "Start of the Breakdown," contains the following lyrics:

Is this the start of the breakdown ?

Scratch the earth

Dig the burial ground

Sense of time won't be easily found

And ten out of ten

For the ones who defend

Pretend too

Breakdown is a final demand

These could easily be lyrics found on a heavy metal album. Maybe I'll start a metal band and cover TFF songs.