SONG OF THE WEEK: 12-29-2024

SONG:  "Head Down"

ARTIST:  Soundgarden

ALBUM:  "Superunknown"

YEAR:  1994

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Seattle, Washington

YEARS ACTIVE:  1984 - 2017

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The song “Head Down” by Soundgarden, featured on their critically acclaimed album  "Superunknown", explores themes of societal oppression and the struggle for individuality. The lyrics convey a sense of conflict between conforming to societal expectations and maintaining personal authenticity.

SOUNDGARDEN DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1988 - Ultramega OK (SST Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1989 - Louder Than Love (A&M Records)

* peaked at #108 on the Billboard 200

1991 - Badmotorfinger (A&M Records)

* peaked at #39 on the Billboard 200

* certified 2X Platinum

1994 - Superunknown (A&M Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* certified 6X Platinum

1996 - Down On The Upside (A&M Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

2011 - Live On I-5 (A&M Records)

* peaked at #47 on the Billboard 200

2012 - King Animal (Republic Records)

* peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200

2014 - Echo Of Miles:  Scattered Tracks Across The Path (A&M Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - Live From The Artists Den (Universal Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON SOUNDGARDEN:

Soundgarden is a legendary band from Seattle, Washington that got it's start back in 1984. Chris Cornell (drums/vocals) and Hiro Yamamoto (bass) founded the band. Soon guitarist Kim Thayil joined the band. In 1985, Scott Sundquist joined the band as the drummer allowing Cornell to focus on vocal duties. Sundquist would only last a year in the band and was replaced by former Skin Yard drummer Matt Cameron. In 1986, Soundgarden was part of a compilation release called "Deep Six" which featured other artists Malfunkshun, Skin Yard, Green River and The Melvins to name a few. In 1987, Soundgarden signed a deal with Sub Pop records and released the EP's "Screaming Life" in 1987 and "Fopp" in 1988. Also in 1988, Soundgarden released their debut full length album "Ultramega OK". This album was nominated for a Grammy award. In 1989, the band dropped their sophomore album, "Louder Than Love". Hiro Yamamoto would leave the band following this album, stating that he felt like he wasn't as involved with the songwriting process any longer. He would be replaced by Jason Everman of Nirvana fame. Everman would only last a year and in 1990, Ben Shepherd took over on bass and the classic Soundgarden line-up was now in place. In 1991, Soundgarden released "Badmotorfinger", their first album on a major label, A&M Records. This album started gaining momentum with the singles "Rusty Cage", "Jesus Christ Pose" and "Outshined". It would be the explosion of success by Nirvana's album "Nevermind" later in that year which would give "Badmotorfinger" a lift off! By the time Soundgarden would release their next album, 1994's "Superunknown", the grunge movement had already exploded and Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains were all the rage! Soundgarden, not to be outdone by any of those bands, dropped a masterpiece in "Superunknown". Backed by hit singles like "Spoonman", "The Day I Tried To Live", "My Wave", "Fell On Black Days" and arguably their most successful single and popular song, "Black Hole Sun", this album would debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts and has ultimately been certified 6X Platinum! In 1996, the band followed up that monster with the highly underrated "Down On The Upside". After touring to support "Down On The Upside", the members of Soundgarden were exhausted and dealing with lots of internal strife about the musical direction of Soundgarden and more. The members thought it was best to just disband and ensure they don't put out a half ass effort which would tarnish the band's name and legacy in any way. After the band disbanded, the members were all active in other projects, most notably Cornell joining forces with the guys from Rage Against The Machine (minus Zack) and forming Audioslave. As well as drummer Matt Cameron becoming the full time drummer for Pearl Jam. Luckily, in 2010, Soundgarder would reform and in 2012, they dropped a brand new album for the first time in 16 years, "King Animal". In 2014, the band released "Echo Of Miles" which featured most of the band's rarities. In 2015 and 2016, there were rumors that the band had been working on new material. Matt Cameron would confirm that the band had 6 or 7 tracks that were pretty much good to go. On May 18, 2017, while the band was on tour, Chris Cornell was found dead in his hotel room. He died of an apparent suicide. What an unbelievably tragic loss. Chris Cornell, in my mind, had the greatest rock and roll voice of all time. Especially hard rock. He could effortlessly wail in incredibly high octaves or he could melt you when he would sing in a lower register. I love all four of the "main" grunge singers and they're all awesome. Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell are arguably four of the best lead singers in rock history. But I always found Cornell to be the most dynamic of the four. He was just a beast so his passing is just such a huge loss for the entiee music community and it's fans. So tragic. Soundgarden will always be one of my favorite bands. I consider Pearl Jam to be my favorite band, but Soundgarden is right there. The beauty of the Seattle "grunge" bands, especially the top 4 was that they were all so different. Sure there were similarities, but they were four different bands. It was after their success that all the record labels were trying to imitate their sounds and the market got saturated with cheap copycats. But those four were and are still legendary rock bands that have stood the test of time. Soundgarden is just a monstrous band. What else can you say?!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Temple Of The Dog

Alice In Chains

Pearl Jam

Audioslave

Mad Season

TEN SOUNDGARDEN SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Fell On Black Days

2. Pretty Noose

3. Slaves & Bulldozers

4. Outshined

5. Black Hole Sun

6. Rusty Cage

7. Burden In My Hand

8. Blow Up The Outside World

9. By Crooked Steps

10. Been Away Too Long

SONG OF THE WEEK: 12-22-2024

SONG:  "Astro Man"

ARTIST:  Jimi Hendrix

ALBUM:  "First Rays Of The New Rising Sun"

YEAR:  1997

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Seattle, Washington

YEARS ACTIVE:  1962 - 1970

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Astro Man" can be seen as a psychedelic exploration of the desire for transcendence, the breaking of societal boundaries, and the potential transformative powers of the human mind. Hendrix invites listeners to embrace the unknown and break free from limiting beliefs, encouraging them to venture into uncharted territories of thought and experience.

JIMI HENDRIX DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1967 - Are You Experienced (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200

* certified 5X Platinum

1968 - Axis:  Bold As Love (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

1968 - Electric Ladyland (Reprise Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* certified 2X Platinum

1970 - Band Of Gypsys (Capitol Records)

* peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200

* certified 2X Platinum

* There were several posthumous releases by the Jimi Hendrix estate. Most of these albums were demos or different takes of previously recorded material. There were two releases, however, 1971's "The Cry Of Love" and 1997's "First Rays Of The New Rising Sun", which are mostly considered to be close to what Jimi's never released fourth studio album would be.

MY THOUGHTS ON JIMI HENDRIX:

Jimi Hendrix got his start in the music industry as early as 1962. Hailing from Seattle, Washington, Hendrix got spots on backing bands of artists such as the Isley Brothers, Little Richard and Curtis Knight and the Squires. By 1966, Jimi wanted to carve his own path in music. With the help of Chas Chandler, former bassist of the band The Animals, Jimi was well on his way. Chas recruited Noel Redding to play bass and Mitch Mitchell to play drums and the Jimi Hendrix Experience was born. Early on, Jimi showed he had huge balls. He would ask Eric Clapton if he could jam on stage with Cream and they did a rendition of "Killing Floor" that changed the way Clapton saw music! There was also the infamous live show when Clapton, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck, Pete Townsend, Paul McCartney and John Lennon were in attendance and Hendrix left them all speechless! They had never seen anything like him. In 1967, the Experience dropped their debut full length album, "Are You Experienced". The album was like a sledgehammer! "Purple Haze", "Hey Joe", "Manic Depression" and "Fire" are some of the standout tracks. Tracks that stand the test of time some 57 years after they were released! Hendrix would follow that up with 1968's "Axis:  Bold As Love". This album features "Little Wing", one of the greatest rock and roll ballads of all time! Also in 1968, Jimi recorded the legendary "Electric Ladyland". This album featured the Bob Dylan cover "All Along The Watchtower" which would be Jimi's most successful single of his career. The cover was so great that even Dylan himself would say that "Watchtower" was no longer his song, It belonged to Jimi! After "Electric Ladyland" was released there was a lot of turmoil within the Experience. Redding would leave the group and Mitchell would follow suit. Jimi began playing with Billy Cox on bass and Buddy Miles on drums, the Band of Gypsys. This line-up released one live album, 1970's "Band Of Gypsys". This features the legendary song "Machine Gun". Eventually, Mitchell would return to play drums for Jimi and Cox would remain on bass. This would be the line-up of the band right up until Jimi's untimely death on September 18, 1970 when he was found unresponsive at a hotel in London by his then girlfriend. What could have been? It's very clear, Jimi Hendrix was one of the most innovative and creative musicians of all time. He was like a force, a tornado that just ransacked and rummaged the music world and left carnage in his wake! Most people see Jimi as the greatest guitarist of all time. But he could also be considered one of the great showmen of all time too. His performances at the legendary Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and at the Woodstock Festival of 1969 are widely considered to be two of the greatest live performances of all time! He changed music. He changed the game! Anybody who picked up an electric guitar and wanted to be in a rock and roll band after Jimi Hendrix was almost certainly super influenced by Jimi's other worldly guitar chops and technique. Dude's a legend. What else is there to say?!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Cream

Led Zeppelin

Stevie Ray Vaughan

The Doors 

The Rolling Stones

TEN JIMI HENDRIX SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

2. Little Wing

3. Purple Haze

4. All Along The Watchtower

5. Fire

6. Castles Made Of Sand

7. Angel

8. Red House

9. Bold As Love

10. Hey Joe

SONG OF THE WEEK: 12-15-2024

SONG:  "The Last Time"

ARTIST:  The Rolling Stones

ALBUM:  "Out Of Our Heads"

YEAR:  1965

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  London, England

YEARS ACTIVE:  1962 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"The Last Time" appears to be a raunchy, hard-driving romantic blueser about a twosome who are destined to split up."

THE ROLLING STONES DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1964 - The Rolling Stones (Decca Records)

* peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200

* certified Gold

1964 - 12 X 5 (London Records)

* peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200

* certified Gold

1965 - The Rolling Stones, Now (London Records)

* peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200

* certified Gold

1965 - Out Of Our Head (London Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

1965 - December's Children (And Everybody's) (London Records)

* peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200

* certified Gold

1966 - Aftermath (London Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

1967 - Between The Buttons (London Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200

* certified Gold

1967 - Their Satanic Majesties Request (London Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200

* certified Gold

1968 - Beggars Banquet (London Records)

* peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

1969 - Let It Bleed (London Records)

* peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200

* certified 2X Platinum

1971 - Sticky Fingers (Rolling Stones Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* certified 3X Platinum

1972 - Exile On Main St. (Rolling Stones Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

1973 - Goats Head Soup (Rolling Stones Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* certified 3X Platinum

1974 - It's Only Rock 'n Roll (Rolling Stones Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

1976 - Black And Blue (Rolling Stones Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

1978 - Some Girls (Rolling Stones Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* certified 6X Platinum

1980 - Emotional Rescue (Rolling Stones Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* certified 2X Platinum

1981 - Tattoo You (Rolling Stones Records)

* peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* certified 4X Platinum

1983 - Undercover (Rolling Stones Records)

* peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

1986 - Dirty Work (Rolling Stones Records)

* peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

1989 - Steel Wheels (Rolling Stones Records)

* peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200

* certified 2X Platinum

1994 - Voodoo Lounge (Virgin Records)

* peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200

* certified 2X Platinum

1997 - Bridges To Babylon (Virgin Records)

* peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

2005 - A Bigger Bang (Virgin Records)

* peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200

* certified Platinum

2016 - Blue & Lonesome (Polydor Records)

* peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200

2023 - Hackney Diamonds (Polydor Records)

* peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON THE ROLLING STONES:

The Rolling Stones formed as a band back in 1962, hailing from London, England. Their roots go even farther back than that. I could go through their history like I normally do with bands that are in my song of the week blog but let's cut through the chase, they've been a band for for 62 years! It felt like writing a book just doing their full length discography! And I didn't even put the live albums that they released as well! Nor did I list the UK albums and the different versions that were released in the U.S. I basically made the list the U.S. releases here. Just know this, The Rolling Stones could very well be the greatest rock and roll band of all time. I don't say that lightly. Especially with a band called The Beatles that might say differently. The fact of the matter is that The Beatles only lasted as a band for like 8 years. Don't get me wrong, that was an insanely great 8 years of music. But check this out. From 1964 to 1994, The Rolling Stones released 22 full length studio albums! Maybe you didn't hear me. 22 albums in 30 years! That is absolutely insane. And this wasn't filler. On these albums were some of the most famous and influential songs to ever come out. Songs that will stand the test of time. "Satisfaction", "Get Off Of My Cloud", "As Tears Go By", "19th Nervous Breakdown", "Paint It Black", "Mother's Little Helper", "Ruby Tuesday", "Jumpin' Jack Flash", "Street Fighting Man", "Sympathy For The Devil", "Honky Tonk Women", "You Can't Always Get What You Want", "Brown Sugar", "Wild Horses", "Tumbling Dice", "Angie", "It's Only Rock 'n Roll", "Miss You", "Beast Of Burden" and "Start Me Up"! Come on now! And that's just a few of their major hits. They have more. Oh yeah, they have many more! For 10 straight years, from 1971 till 1981, The Rolling Stones put out 8 albums that all peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts. Crazy! Let me shout out the band too. Mick Jagger. One of the best, most enigmatic front men in rock and roll. Most frontmen stole something from Mick Jagger throughout the years. He's the blueprint of a frontman for a band. Keith Richards oozes swagger and cool. Just a classic blues rhythm guitar player who can sit in the pocket with tasteful leads. Brian Jones. Before his tragic death in 1969, he was the Swiss army knife for the Stones. A multi-instrumentalist who was the rock for the band back in the beginning days before Mick and Keith took the creative reigns. Mick Taylor. Took over for Brian Jones from 1969 till 1974. Perhaps the most talented guitarist the band had. A big part of some of the most amazing albums that the band released during those years. Ronnie Wood. The perfect compliment to Keith Richards and the perfect fit in probably the most perfect band. Ronnie Wood is a great songwriter and a great guitar player. Bill Wyman. From 1962 till 1993, Bill Wyman brought the bottom and groove to the Stones' sound. Though stoic and stationary on stage, his basslines danced through the bluesy songs effortlessly. Wyman left the band on good terms in 1993. Charlie Watts. The backbone of the band. While the rest of the band oozed sex appeal and a little bit of danger, Charlie Watts exuded class. He brought a jazzy flare to a blues driven band all the way up to his passing in 2021. The Rolling Stones are one of the most influential rock and roll bands of all time. They are influential to all genres of music. And they're still going strong, having just dropped a brand new full length album in 2023, "Hackney Diamonds". And word is is that they are 75% finished with another new album! These guys are amazing! I have so much respect for The Rolling Stones. Their drive, their energy, their passion and most importantly, their music.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

The Beatles

The Who

The Kinks

Faces

The Doors

TEN THE ROLLING STONES SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Honky Tonk Women

2. Sympathy For The Devil

3. Beast Of Burden

4. You Can't Always Get What You Want

5. Gimme Shelter

6. Brown Sugar

7. Angie

8. Under My Thumb

9. Tumbling Dice

10. Jumpin' Jack Flash

SONG OF THE WEEK: 12-8-2024

SONG:  "Keep The Light On"

ARTIST:  Jerry Cantrell

ALBUM:  "Boggy Depot"

YEAR:  1998

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Tacoma, Washington

YEARS ACTIVE:  1985 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Keep The Light On" appears to be a poignant and emotional exploration of a relationship that is struggling to survive. The lyrics suggest that both parties are unwilling to let go, but they are also aware that their situation is not sustainable.

JERRY CANTRELL DISCOGRAPHY (Full length album only):

1998 - Boggy Depot (Columbia Records)

* peaked at #28 on the Billboard 200

2002 - Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2 (Roadrunner Records)

* peaked at #33 on the Billboard 200

2021 - Brighten (Double J Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2024 - I Want Blood (self-released)

* peaked at #145 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON JERRY CANTRELL:

Jerry Cantrell was dabbling in music dating back to 1985. Hailing from Tacoma, Washington, it was Cantrell's move to Seattle and his meeting Layne Staley that would change history forever. By 1987, Cantrell, Staley along with drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Starr would form Alice In Chains. Once Nirvana kicked the door in with "Smells Like Teen Spirit", the world was yearning for the "sound of Seattle" and Pearl Jam and Soundgarden and Alice In Chains would oblige. Alice In Chains was known for being perhaps the most "grungy" band out of the four. It was the hauntingly beautiful harmonizing vocals of Cantrell and Staley that really made their sound stand out. So influential. So powerful. And just so damn good! Alice In Chains would become one of the biggest bands in the world by the mid 90's. Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol would hinder their ablility to be a full time band. By 1996, it was becoming more and more evident that Layne Staley could not be depended on to record in the studio or perform live due to his heroin addiction. 1996 would also be the first time Jerry Cantrell would release anything solo, the song "Leave Me Alone" which was on "The Cable Guy" soundtrack. In 1998, Cantrell would drop his debut full length solo album, "Boggy Depot". For his follow up album, 2002's "Degradation Trip", Cantrell would lock himself in his house for like four months and rarely leave. Ultimately, he came up with 25 songs which would comprise "Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2". This album dropped just a few months after the tragic passing of Layne Staley and it would be dedicated to his memory. In 2006, Alice In Chains would get back on the road and in the studio with Comes With The Fall singer/guitarist William DuVall. This new, and current, line-up of Alice In Chains have put out three new full length albums since 2009. With AIC on some downtime, Cantrell began working on a new solo project. This would become 2021's "Brighten". Cantrell's most recent release would be the 2024 full length album "I Want Blood". Jerry Cantrell is a beast! As a guitarist, he is one of the most influential players to come out of the grunge/alternative rock scene. So much so that he is often coined the "riff lord"! His work with Alice In Chains speaks for itself and his solo records prove that he was very much as important as Layne Staley was to the sound and music of Alice In Chains. Cantrell's last two solo albums, "Brighten" and "I Want Blood", are fantastic! While I'll always prefer an Alice In Chains release, I'll always take anything that Jerry Cantrell does musically. The dude is a legend!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Alice In Chains

Mad Season

Soundgarden

Temple Of The Dog

Stone Temple Pilots

TEN JERRY CANTRELL SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Atone

2. Brighten

3. Cut You In

4. Villified

5. Anger Rising

6. Afterglow

7. Leave Me Alone

8. My Song

9. Angel Eyes

10. A Job To Do