Bright Brown as Published on The Levee Breaking

The rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen albums you've heard that will always stick with you.

Beatles - Help: The first album I ever bought - at a garage sale, for 25 cents! I still have it and break it out every once in a while. I love the soundtrack stuff on it, and "You've got to hide your love away" will always be amazing.

Kiss - Double Platinum: I convinced my parents to buy it for me at a Target store in Fort Collins when I was seven or eight years old. I hummed the song "Beth" for them to convince them it was "mellow." Little did they know! 100,000 Years is my all time favorite Kiss tune and is probably the reason I started and still play guitar. Ace Frehley is king, of another galaxy. When I see photos of him from the '70s era Kiss, I still think he's not human. He's the heart and soul behind the band, the rest of them are tools.... Think about this: The best songs on Dynasty are Ace songs. He left the band shortly afterwards, because those fools went disco, dropped make-up and made crap music!

Pink Floyd - Meddle: So beautiful... it's one of those albums I listen to that makes me think about how good life really is if you let it be. And it ends with "Echoes," which is like a strong hit of LSD without taking LSD.

Slayer - South of Heaven: I was into Slayer way before this came out, but SOH is the one I will always be attracted to. The intro to "Ghosts of War" is soooo brutal, and then it leads into "Read Between the Lies," another incredible track. "Evangelist you claim God speaks through you, Your restless mouth full of lies gains popularity. You care not for the old that suffer, When empty pockets cry from hunger." Goosebumps...... In my opinion, South of Heaven is the best metal album ever made.

Sonic Youth - Goo: When I was in Saudi during the first Gulf War I had my mom send me this on cassette. I listened to it everyday along with Jane's Addiction's "Ritual de lo Habitual." Every song on it is good and it's the way albums should be made - as a whole piece of work. Goo, Goo, Goo ... Goo.

Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique: More than 400 samples on this one, before artists were getting sued for doing such a thing. I bought this one when it came out, I was stationed at Camp Butler, Okinawa, and we would skate the half pipe on the base while listening to this and the Misfits. Beasties are legendary.

Metallica - Kill 'Em All: David Flores brought this my house when we were in 7th grade. At the time I was listening to bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Ozzy. Kill 'Em All was the fastest music I ever heard.

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath: As a young whipper snapper, the first time I heard this I was frightened. The title track literally moves and takes you on a journey through madness. IMO, Sabbath created the "gallup" riff that is emulated in so many metal songs after it.

MDC - Millions of Dead Cops: I have to thank Jeff Abbott for this one. I was into metal when he introduced this to me. It opened up a whole new world and made me think about the state of life in America and humans in general. "What makes America so straight and me so bent?" It's still one of my favorite albums of all time and gets a regular listen.

Firehose - Ragin' Full On: Ed from Ohio meets Mike Watt and love is made. This album has been in my head forever and was my soundtrack throughout my 20s. It reminds me of snowboarding, the mountains, sunny skies, fishing and laughing my ass of with my best friends.

Primus - Frizzle Fry: I think i've seen Primus more than any other band. We'd drive around to see them two nights in a row ... stage diving, crowd surfing, throwing each other over rows of people and landing on girls' heads, much to their disdain. Who doesn't get goose bumps during the song "The Toys Go Winding Down"? It's pudding time...

Tribe Called Quest - Low End Theory: One of the best hip hop albums ever. I sing along to this. So chill. Fife and Q-Tip rule. "Do you know the importance of a skypageuhhh?"

Metal Church - Metal Church: Seattle represent! These guys are some of the most talented musicians you'll ever hear. I saw them open up for Megadeth in 1986. I was blown away. Goosebumps still...

Melvins - Houdini: Heavy, sludgy, demented, fast, slow ... impact! I love Buzzo and have a lot of respect for a band that's been touring for 30 years ... completely below the radar. Kurt Cobain wasn't even a fingernail on Buzzo's pinky...

The Smiths - Strangeways, Here We Come: I've got a soft spot for this band and still give them a listen regularly. It's good music. Period. I listened to this every night while falling asleep when I was first stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

And as an afterthought, there's a few that set the course early on: Cheap Trick - Live at Budokan (Thanks to my sister), AC/DC - Let There Be Rock, Ted Nugent - Scream Dream (Thanks again to David Flores), Van Halen - Van Halen, B-52s - B52s, The Who - Who's Next, UFO - No Place to Run (on 8-track - 1st album with Michael Schenker!), Ozzy - Diary of a Madman, DRI, there's just too many ... And yes, I realize I am dating myself with a lot of this but screw it, old school rules!

Headlocks Music Review for The Levee Breaking

I recently wrote an album review for Seattle's "The Levee Breaking." Thanks, Jesse, for the opportunity.

http://www.theleveebreaking.com/achtung_album_reviews_post.php?post=18

Broken Bells and Cockle Shells

I've been a fan of the Shins since I saw them play the now-deceased Blackbird in Portland, Ore., some years ago. It was just before they released their second album, "Chutes Too Narrow." I had just started listening to them a few weeks prior, thanks to a friend who was really into the band. They put on a great show. The Albuquerque transplants who now call Portland their home have continued to enjoy success (although rumor has it they have had a lineup change), and put out decent records. However, they have also gone into that uber-popular phase and were even lauded in the teenage rom-com/hipster movie, Garden State (which, I hate to admit, I kind of liked). And in my opinion, most bands who become extremely popular these days end up making mediocre music because of it.

Recently I was told about a new project the Shins' frontman co-created with Brian Burton (aka Danger Mouse), called Broken Bells. So I listened to the album for free on NPR (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124018401). I've tried to keep an open mind to the music, but I've got to give this one a C at best.

Mercer's voice has an extremely distinct sound, so to me it sounds like a wimpier version of the Shins with a few electronic effects thrown into the mix. And that's the problem with this project - it's the Shins on kool-aid, or at least a watered down version of what turned to me onto their music in the first place. I don't feel the duo bring anything new to the table, just the sound and songwriting arrangement Mercer usually pulls together, therefore it lacks any groundbreaking sounds or overtly unique songwriting.

I will attempt to give it a further listen, but right now I'm have to say, "Try a little harder guys, huh?"

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.