Song Of The Week: 9/1/19

Song: "No More"

Artist: Eddie Vedder

Album: "Into The Wild"

Year: 2007

Place Of Origin: Evanston, Illinois

Years Active: 1987 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"No More" was inspired by a 26 year old Army veteran Tomas Young. Young was shot and paralyzed from the waist down after serving in Iraq for less than a week. He is the subject of a documentary called "Body Of War". Eddie Vedder struck up a friendship with Young and was inspired by Young's own words about the war to write this anti-war protest song.

EDDIE VEDDER DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2007 - Into The Wild (J Records)
2011 - Ukulele Songs (Monkey Wrench Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF EDDIE VEDDER:

Eddie Vedder got his start in the music world back in 1987. While he was born just outside of Chicago, it was in 1987 when he was living in San Diego, California that he started to get involved in bands. Some of the bands he was in were Surf And Destroy, The Butts and Indian Style, which also featured drummer Brad Wilk of Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave fame. In 1988, Vedder joined Bad Radio, which had an alternative rock/funk vibe like Red Hot Chili Peppers. In 1990, Vedder was given a demo tape by Jack Irons, drummer of the Chili Peppers at the time. The music was from a Seattle band with members of Mother Love Bone who disbanded when their frontman Andy Wood died of a drug overdose. Eddie wrote lyrics to the songs on the demo, songs that would become "Alive", "Once" and "Footsteps". The band was blown away, flew him up to Seattle and Mookie Blaylock was formed. Around the same time, Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell had some tribute songs written for his fallen friend Andy Wood and decided to record them with Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, Mike McCready and Matt Cameron. This project would be called Temple Of The Dog and Eddie Vedder would record his very first vocal track on record for the song "Hunger Strike". Fast forward. Mookie Blaylock changes their name to Pearl Jam. In 1991, the album "Ten" is released. The Seattle sound officially takes over the music world! Eddie Vedder along with Chris Cornell, Kurt Cobain of Nirvana and Layne Staley of Alice In Chains, become the voices of that generation, whether they wanted to or not. Pearl Jam has released ten full length studio albums from 1991 to the present day as well as a shitload of live bootlegs that you can order through their website. Eddie Vedder is easily one of the best vocalists in rock music of all time. In 2007, Eddie Vedder wrote music for the soundtrack of the film "Into The Wild". This would be his first venture as a solo artist. It would also lead to his first solo tours in support of this album. The song "Guaranteed" from this album would win a Golden Globe award. In 2011, Vedder released his second full length solo album, "Ukulele Songs". As you can guess, the album features Eddie and his trusty ukulele. Vedder also released a DVD in 2011 called "Water On The Road" which is basically a live solo show and other features. Eddie Vedder still often does solo tours. Pearl Jam haven't put out a studio album since 2013, long over-fuckin'-do boys! But, they have gotten together to do tours, most recently a stadium tour which featured live shows in Seattle's Kingdome, Chicago's Wrigley Field and Boston's Fenway Park. Vedder has gotten much better at his guitar playing and that has shown in his solo material as well as his guitar work in Pearl Jam. Eddie has also contributed songs to several soundtracks over the years. What more can I say about this dude?! Pearl Jam is my all time favorite band and Vedder is an incredible vocalist, unbelievable songwriter and one of the best frontmen in rock history! Whether he is going full blaze stadium rock with Pearl Jam, or getting Dylan-esqe folksy on his solo material, Vedder shines through with his lyrics and songwriting ability. He was influenced by many greats, The Who, The Ramones, The Clash, Neil Young, Neil Finn, Bruce Springsteen, U2, and R.E.M. to name a few, and he has inspired many a young band to pick up their guitars and go all out, balls out rockin' in the free world... Ok I'll slow down. NOW MAKE A NEW FUCKIN' PEARL JAM ALBUM IS ALL!!

TEN EDDIE VEDDER SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Against The 70's (w/ Mike Watt and Dave Grohl)
2. Guaranteed
3. My City Of Ruins (Bruce Springsteen cover)
4. Hard Sun (Indio cover)
5. The Waiting (w/ Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
6. Ship Song (Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds cover)
7. Trouble (Cat Stevens cover)
8. Constellations (w/ Jack Johnson)
9. Man Of The Hour
10. Society

Song Of The Week: 8/25/19

Song: "Surface To Air"

Artist: Incubus

Album: "If Not Now, When?" (pre-order bonus track)

Year: 2011

Place Of Origin: Calabasas, California

Years Active: 1991 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Surface To Air" appears to be a song about feeling isolated in the world. Maybe, the vocalist is isolated in his own mind. The feeling of being alone and perhaps, misunderstood is deeply affecting him as he calls out for anyone to recognize his existence. His calls seem to fall on deaf ears leaving him to feel as though he's floating alone in space.

INCUBUS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1995 - Fungus Amongus (Stopuglynailfungus Music)
1997 - S.C.I.E.N.C.E. (Epic/Immortal Records)
1999 - Make Yourself (Epic/Immortal Records)
2001 - Morning View (Epic/Immortal Records)
2004 - A Crow Left Of The Murder (Epic/Immortal Records)
2006 - Light Grenades (Epic/Immortal Records)
2011 - If Not Now, When? (Epic/Immortal Records)
2012 - HQ Live (Sony Music Entertainment)
2017 - 8 (Island Records)

CURRENT STATUS OF INCUBUS:

Incubus formed as a band back in 1991, when the members where all still in high school. The band hustled to perform live, a mainstay on Los Angeles' Sunset Strip. In 1995, Incubus dropped their debut full length album, "Fungus Amongus". At this point, Incubus played a trip/rock/hip hop/rock style. In 1997, Incubus signed a long deal with Epic Records and their first release under that label would be "S.C.I.E.N.C.E.". This album saw the band jump into a nu-metal sort of sound while keeping some of it's hip hop influences. 1999 was the breakthrough. "Make Yourself" was released. This album showed a band that began to lean to a more alternative rock/mainstream rock sound. The single "Pardon Me" got the ball rolling, but it was the song "Drive" that catapulted Incubus to success. "Drive" remained at #3 on the charts for 6 straight weeks and reached #1 on the alternative rock charts. "Make Yourself" went double platinum when it was all said and done. 2001's "Morning View" continued success for the band. Hit singles "Wish You Were Here" and "Nice To Know You" helped this album peak at #2 on the Billboard 200 charts. At one point in 2002, Incubus had four singles charting in the top 100 at the same time. In 2004, the band dropped "A Crow Left Of The Murder". This is arguably the band's most aggressive album. "Light Grenades" was released in 2006, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts thanks in part to the hit singles "Anna Molly" and "Dig". Incubus took a bit of a break after this album, all the members focusing on other projects. A greatest hits compilation was released in 2009 called "Monuments and Melodies". In 2011, Incubus got back together and released what is probably their softest or least aggressive album, "If Not Now, When?". This would be their last album for Epic Records. In 2015, the band released an EP called "Trust Fall (Side A)". There was supposed to be another EP released soon after this but it never came to fruition. In 2017, the band, now signed with Island Records, released "8". Most recently, Incubus released the single "Into The Summer" in August of 2019. Once Incubus decided to ditch the nu-metal/hip hop rock vibe back in 1999, this band fully blossomed into a headline act. The band churned out super melodic and catchy singles. They have a relaxed vibe about their music but can get aggressive when they have to. I always thought their sound was quite unique. Just a cool vibe with their songs. If you like bands like Hoobastank, Foo Fighters, A Perfect Circle, Fuel or Silverchair, then you would most likely enjoy Incubus. Incubus has a little more groove to their music than those bands, but those acts are definitely peers. Incubus is a very solid band and have been going strong for almost two decades. The band has sold more than 19 million records world wide, making them one of the most successful rock acts of the 2000's.

TEN INCUBUS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Wish You Were Here
2. Drive
3. Megalomaniac
4. Nice To Know You
5. Pardon Me
6. Dig
7. Adolescents
8. A Certain Shade Of Green
9. Make A Move
10. Nimble Bastard

Song Of The Week: 8/18/19

Song: "Out To Sea"

Artist: Smile Empty Soul

Album: "Vultures"

Years: 2006

Place Of Origin: Santa Clarita, California

Years Active: 1998 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Out To Sea" appears to be a song about being in a deep depression. The vocalist feels like he's drowning in sorrow and pain. He's struggling to find hope and struggling to find any good reason in just being alive. Everything around him just seems to bring him down. Depression is a common theme in Smile Empty Soul's music.

SMILE EMPTY SOUL DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2003 - Smile Empty Soul (Lava Records)
2005 - Anxiety (EMI Records)
2006 - Vultures (Bieler Bros. Records)
2009 - Consciousness (EMI Records)
2012 - 3's (eOne Records)
2013 - Chemicals (Pavement Entertainment Records)
2017 - Rarities (MRAfia Records)
2018 - Oblivion (Smile Empty Music)

CURRENT STATUS OF SMILE EMPTY SOUL:

Smile Empty Soul formed as a band back in 1998, hailing from Santa Clarita, California. The band tried to make a name for themselves playing shows down on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles and eventually signed with label Lava Records for their debut album. The self-titled "Smile Empty Soul" turned out to be the band's most successful album, becoming certified gold thanks in part to the hit singles "Bottom Of A Bottle", "Nowhere Kids" and "Silhouettes". The band had written and recorded their follow up album "Anxiety" which was set to be released in 2005, but after departing Lava Records, that album wouldn't see the light of day until 2009. Their 2006 album, "Vultures", turned out to be their default sophomore album because of this dispute with their old label. In 2009, Smile Empty Soul signed with major label EMI who released the "Anxiety" album as well as "Consciousness". In 2012, the band moved to eOne Records and released the album "3's". It was at this time that frontman Sean Danielsen also began to release solo material. Danielsen is pretty much the engine of Smile Empty Soul, writing all the lyrics and music so essentially, Smile Empty Soul is pretty much a solo project with accompanying musicians. In 2013, the band dropped the album "Chemicals". They followed that up in 2017 with a b-sides compilation called "Rarities" and in 2018, their last proper full length studio album was released titled "Oblivion". The band's most recent release was an acoustic EP in 2019 called "The Acoustic Sessions Vol. 1". Smile Empty Soul is a post-grunge/alternative rock type of band. Their music is very dark and Sean Danielsen's lyrics deal with pain, sorrow, loss and depression. Their songs are very heavy, musically and emotionally. Ever since their first album, Smile Empty Soul has gathered a hardcore fanbase and while they never became super successful, to this very day, their loyal fanbase follows the band all over the world. This is a really good band. Very underrated. If you like bands like The Exies, Trapt, Fuel, Seether or Trust Company, you would most likely enjoy the music of Smile Empty Soul. Just keep in mind, Smile Empty Soul's lyrics are much darker than all of those bands.

TEN SMILE EMPTY SOUL SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. This Is War
2. Silhouettes
3. The Hit
4. Bottom Of A Bottle
5. We're Through
6. Don't Need You
7. Afterlife
8. False Alarm
9. Sides
10. All In My Head

Song Of The Week: 8/11/19

Song: "Parting Glass"

Artist: American Steel

Album: "Rogue's March"

Year: 1999

Place Of Origin: Oakland, California

Years Active: 1995 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Parting Glass" appears to be a song about having one last night on the town with you're significant other. It seems this relationship is over when the two wake up in the morning. They tried unsuccessfully to make it work but time has only caused them to drift further apart. So, they fill up those glasses one more time and drink up to the end of their relationship.

AMERICAN STEEL DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1998 - American Steel (New Disorder Records)
1999 - Rogue's March (Lookout! Records)
2001 - Jagged Thoughts (Lookout! Records)
2007 - Destroy Their Future (Fat Wreck Chords)
2009 - Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts (Fat Wreck Chords)

CURRENT STATUS OF AMERICAN STEEL:

American Steel formed as a band back in 1995, a product of the now infamous Bay Area punk scene. While Operation Ivy had dissolved, but Rancid rose from those ashes and Green Day was well on their way to huge success, American Steel followed their path to try to create a spot of their own in their hometown of Oakland, California. After non-stop touring, the band signed a deal with New Disorder Records to release their debut full length album, "American Steel". As they got a little more buzz, legendary Bay Area label, Lookout! Records signed the band for their next two releases. In 1999, the band delivered "Rogue's March". This album turned out to be a moderate underground success for American Steel. They continued to be an underground favorite with their 2001 release, "Jagged Thoughts". In 2002, for whatever reason, the guys in American Steel decided to change their sound and their name. They called themselves Communique, which turned out to be a short-lived project. By 2007, they reverted back to American Steel and signed on with legendary punk label, Fat Wreck Chords. Their first album with Fat Wreck was "Destroy Their Future". This to me is the band's highlight album. Fat Wreck does tend to bring out the best in punk rock artists. The band's last full length studio album would be 2009's "Dear Friends And Gentle Hearts". It took ten years before American Steel would release anything after that album. Their most recent release was a 2-song 7" single called "State Of Grace". American Steel sort of has a little hardcore in them, but they tend to keep it more melodic. They definitely got that "gravelly" vocals vibe in their songs. While the first wave of Bay Area punk bands like Rancid and Green Day sparked a punk rock revival, American Steel always lurked in the underground, never coming anywhere remotely close to the success of those two bands. There's nothing distinctly special about American Steel. They're a good punk band. Not great by any stretch. They have a few songs that stick out, nothing major. If you like the music of bands like Dead To Me, Banner Pilot, The Lawrence Arms, Dillinger Four or None More Black then you might like American Steel. Not bad. Not great. Just somewhere in the middle.

TEN AMERICAN STEEL SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Mean Streak
2. Maria
3. State Of Grace
4. Sons Of Avarice
5. Emergency House Party
6. Schrapnel
7. Every New Morning
8. Your Ass Ain't Laughing Now
9. Got A Backbeat
10. Rotting

Song Of The Week: 8/4/19

Song: "The Promise" (When In Rome cover)

Artist: Anberlin

Album: "Cities"

Year: 2007

Place Of Origin: Winter Haven, Florida

Years Active: 2002 - present



WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"The Promise" is a song that appears to be about the uncompromising love that the vocalist has for a woman. You almost get a sense that they are very good friends but the vocalist wants the relationship to go deeper. He'll do everything he can to make her fall for him. "The Promise" is a cover song by Anberlin. The original song was done by British band When In Rome and released on that band's 1987 self-titled album.

ANBERLIN DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2003 - Blueprints For The Black Market (Tooth & Nail Records)
2005 - Never Take Friendship Personal (Tooth & Nail Records)
2007 - Cities (Tooth & Nail Records)
2007 - Lost Songs (Tooth & Nail Records)
2008 - New Surrender (Universal Republic Records)
2010 - Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place (Universal Republic Records)
2012 - Vital (Universal Republic Records)
2014 - Lowborn (Tooth & Nail Reocrds)

CURRENT STATUS OF ANBERLIN:

Hailing from Winter Haven, Florida, Anberlin formed as a band back in 2002, out of the ashes of a band called SaGoh 24/7. Very early on, the band signed with label Tooth & Nail Records and their debut album, "Blueprints For The Black Market" was released in 2003. This album has sold over 60,000 units world wide. 2005's "Never Take Friendship Personal" peaked at #144 on the Billboard charts and the single "Paperthin Hymn" reached #38 on the Hot Modern Rock charts. In 2007, the band released "Cities" which sold over 34,000 copies in it's first week of sales and reached as high as #19 on the Billboard 200. In 2008, Anberlin signed a major label deal with Universal Republic and their first album with them, 2008's "New Surrender" would prove to be the band's highest charting album to date, staking claim at #13 on the Billboard 200 charts. The 2010 album, "Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place" saw the band veer their music to a darker sound and was definitely a less poppy record than their previous work. 2012's "Vital" will probably go down as the band's most aggressive album to date. In 2014, Anberlin decided they were going to call it quits after the release of their last studio effort, "Lowborn", and a subsequent tour to support that album. In 2018, the band reunited for two live shows and in 2019, Anberlin has embarked on an Australian tour and a 22 stop American tour. The band, however, has not committed to enterning the studio to record new material. As of now, Anberlin is just sticking to playing live shows. Anberlin is an alternative rock/melodic band. While their roots are in punk rock, their sound is more polished, almost radio friendly rock music. Because of their association with the label Tooth & Nail, Anberlin is often cast as a Christian band. The band members kind of shun that term. They do have their personal Christian beliefs, but when it comes to their music, they see themselves as entertainers, not preachers. If you enjoy the music of bands like The Classic Crime, Acceptance, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Armor For Sleep or Thousand Foot Krutch, then you would most likely enjoy the sound of Anberlin. Pretty solid band.

TEN ANBERLIN SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. A Day Late
2. Readyfuels
3. Feel Good Drag
4. Someone Anyone
5. Paperthin Hymn
6. Change The World (Lost Ones)
7. The Unwinding Cable Car
8. Godspeed
9. Impossible
10. Stranger Ways