Song Of The Week: 2/27/11

Song: "The Dubious Glow Of Excess"

Artist: Good Riddance

Album: "Bound By Ties Of Blood And Affection"

Year: 2003



To me, this song appears to be about the trappings of success and fame. When you realize your dream and then you fullfill it, will you still remember where you came from and the people who were instrumental in helping you along the way? Or, will you leave everything and everyone behind. The song is kind of a cautionary tale in that, if you let the fame consume you, you may find yourself alone. At that point, all you can do is reflect on your achieved dream and ask yourself if it was worth it because essentially, you forgot where you came from. Good Riddance was a hardcore punk band from Santa Cruz, CA that formed back in 1986. Their music focused on various political and social issues as well as personal struggles and conflicts. I've heard them often labeled as Fat Wreck Chords' Pennywise as both bands would wear their political and social beliefs on their sleeves. Good Riddance is a band that deserves to stand on their own, however. Even though I see them as quite underrated as a band, that does not make them less respected in punk circles. Any kid that wanted to start a band as a vehicle to get his political or social viewpoints out there has to thank bands like Good Riddance, Pennywise and Bad Religion for clearing the path for him. In just over twenty years, Good Riddance would put out seven studio albums, various EP's and comp. tracks, a b-sides album and a live album, "Remain In Memory", which would be a recording of what would be their final concert together. In 2007, Good Riddance decided to call it quits as a band. Currently, all of the band members are involved in new music projects most notably being GR's lead singer Russ Rankin's new band, Only Crime.

Song Of The Week: 2/20/11

Song: "Before I Go"

Artist: Unwritten Law

Album: "Music In High Places"

Year: 2003



This is "Before I Go"'s second go round on my song of the week blog. Where the first time I used the studio version from Unwritten Law's 1998 self titled album, this time I chose an acoustic version that was taken from 2003's "Music In High Places". "Music In High Places" was a program on VH1 which featured artists performing acoustic songs in natural settings. Unwritten Law would perform their songs in Yellowstone National Park for the show. "Before I Go" is sung from the perspective of someone that is dying. Even though the vocalist is in pain and knows he doesn't have much time left on this Earth, he spends his final moments assuring the one he loves and trying to give her strength to move on. She should take comfort in that he is not afraid and he tells her that his memory will live on in her. Unwritten Law formed as a band back in 1990. In their early years, they were very much a part of the pop punk scene. As the years went by, however, they definitely began to altar their style until they found a sound that they were comfortable with. This more radio friendly style was most prominent on their 2002 album "Elva". This was the album that really opened things up for Unwritten Law. Behind the strength of their hit single "Seeing Red", U.L. would enjoy their highest success as a band. All in all, U.L. has released five studio albums, a few EP's, an acoustic album, a live album and a greatest hits compilation. Currently, Unwritten Law is set to release their sixth studio album in March of 2011. The album is titled "Swan". Unwritten Law has also committed to playing the 2011 Warped Tour.

Song Of The Week: 2/13/11

Song: "Wash"

Artist: Pearl Jam

Album: "Lost Dogs"

Year: 2003



This song appears to be about how being true and pure can sometimes be overtaken by temptation and sin. To me, the vocalist is kind of living a double life. He struggles with the fact that he wants to be faithful and honest at home, but it's his lies and infidelities that, if they would ever come to the surface and see the light, would kill his relationship with the one he really loves. In the end, he just wishes his impurities would be washed away but you don't really get the impression that he can forgive himself for his sins let alone be forgiven by the one he's sinned. "Wash" is one of the first songs that Pearl Jam ever recorded as a band. The song was recorded during the "Ten" sessions and released as a b-side on 1991's "Alive" single. 2003's "Lost Dogs" contains a slightly different recording of "Wash" as well. Pearl Jam formed as a band in 1990 from the ashes of Mother Love Bone. When Mother Love Bone lead singer Andy Wood died of a heroin overdose, fellow bandmates Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament weren't quite sure if they would continue to make music together. Luckily, Stone would ask Jeff to help out on some demo's that he was working on. Throw Mike McCready in the mix and a demo tape that Stone gave to Jack Irons, who then gave the tape to Eddie Vedder and alas, Pearl Jam was born. Looking back as the band is celebrating it's 20th anniversary, you could argue that Pearl Jam is the greatest American band of all time. During their career, they have released nine studio albums, various singles and live albums, not to mention bootleg recordings which you can purchase through their fan club website. Pearl Jam has a fanbase that has not been seen since the Grateful Dead. Seeing them perform live, you definitely get why fans have so much passion for this band. It's quite the experience. Currently, Pearl Jam is working on re-issues of their "VS" and "Vitalogy" albums scheduled for release in early 2011. Director Cameron Crowe is also working on a documentary of the band celebrating their twenty years in the music industry. The band also has a 20th anniversary festival planned for some time in the summer of 2011.

Song Of The Week: 2/6/11

Song: "Only The Strong" (piano version)

Artist: Flaw

Album: "Through The Eyes"

Year: 2001



"Only The Strong" is a song about how dealing with life's adversities and the pain that goes along with them will only serve to make you stronger in the end. Those who endure will most likely survive. Those who cannot deal with the pain and the pressures probably will not. The vocalist in this song is really using pain and deceit that he's had during his life to strengthen who he is now. Flaw is a nu metal band that formed back in 1995. Their style is very similar to several bands that came out in the mid to late 90's such as Staind, Evanescence and Chevelle. From 1995 to 2000, Flaw would independently release two albums plus an EP. It wasn't until 2001 that they would release their first major label album, "Through The Eyes". Any success the band would have would be due to this album. They would release a follow-up in 2004, "Endangered Species", but this album really was not much of a success for the band. Inner turmoil would become a common occurrence for Flaw eventually leading to the band calling it quits in 2004. In 2006, Flaw would try to reunite and did to perform some live shows but the problems that became so prevalent in the past would arise once again. The band was a constant revolving door of band members, the one constant was normally lead singer Chris Volz. The band did get together in 2009 to record and independently release their third album, "Home Grown Studio Sessions". In 2010, however, once again the band had to cancel their entire tour due to internal conflicts. Currently, though the band says it is still intact, it's looking more and more like Flaw's days as a band are very much numbered.

Song Of The Week: 1/30/11

Song: "Welcome To The Terrordome"

Artist: Public Enemy

Album: "Fear Of A Black Planet"

Year: 1990



"Welcome To The Terrordome" is a song about the self-destruction going on in the black community. It's really about the tearing down of the community when people should be striving together to uplift it. Public Enemy's chief emcee Chuck D. is harshest on his own when it comes to black on black crime and cultural self-destruction in this song. Public Enemy formed back in 1986 and quickly became one of the most influential and most respected groups to come out in the hip hop world. Their second album, "It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back" is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time, not just in hip hop quarters. Several other musicians in many genres viewed "It Takes A Nation..." as a strong album, most notably being Nirvana's Kurt Cobain who put this album in his own personal top ten of music that he listened to. While "It Takes A Nation.." was PE's most heralded album, "Fear Of A Black Planet", released two years later, was their most successful. I always viewed Public Enemy as the punk rock band of the rap world. Their beats were harsh, noisy and cluttered and Chuck D. spit venom as an emcee. PE is really one of the first hip hop groups to focus on social, political and cultural issues in their albums. Along with Run D.M.C., and N.W.A., I would consider Public Enemy the most important group in rap history. As the 2000's approached, hip hop started going in many different directions and the material being released seemed to be more about boasting about what you have instead of focusing on real issues that are affecting the world. Because of this, legendary hip hop acts such as PE and KRS-ONE began to see their fame start to fade out. They still, however command respect for the path they laid. PE continues to release albums every two to three years, their latest being 2007's "How You Sell Soul To A Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul". Currently, PE is still quite active as they still do some touring between focusing on various side projects, Chuck D.'s being mostly focused on political and social issues while hype man Flavor Flav has been back in the mainstream due to his "reality" shows such as "Flavor Of Love". I wouldn't be surprised to see PE come out with a new album in the near future.

Song Of The Week: 1/23/11

Song: "Chesterfield King"

Artist: Face To Face

Album: "Standards & Practices"

Year: 1999



"Chesterfield King" is a true punk rock love song. It's about a man who perhaps at first is afraid to commit fully to a relationship but after taking some time to clear his head, he comes to realize that this relationship is too important to him to throw it away so he hurries back to the girl he almost left behind. "Chesterfield King" is a cover song by Face To Face. The original was recorded back in 1992 by the hugely influential punk/emo outfit Jawbreaker and released on their "Bivouac" album. Face To Face is one of many punk bands that were deeply impacted by the music created by Jawbreaker. Much like Jawbreaker, Face To Face has become one of the most respected bands in the punk scene. Face To Face got it's start back in 1991 and quickly became one of the top punk bands in an exploding California scene. Along with bands such as Rancid, Jawbreaker, Bad Religion, The Offspring and Green Day, Face To Face would also become a force in the punk rock revival of the 90's. Lead singer and chief songwriter, Trever Keith was the one main constant in the band throughout the years but since 1995, bassist Scott Shiflett also became a mainstay in the band. Shiflett is well respected in punk rock circles as well as his brother Chris who now plays guitar for the Foo Fighters. After putting out several albums on labels such as Vagrant Records and Fat Wreck Chords, Face To Face decided to call it quits in 2004. Keith just felt that the band had exhausted itself and he as well as the rest of the band wanted to work on new projects. This hiatus would only last for four years however. After persistent rumors circulated about a possible Face To Face reunion, in 2008 the band finally acknowledged that the rumors were in fact true. The band returned and began touring extensively most notably as headliners on the Warped Tour. Currently, Face To Face is putting the finishing touches on a new album tentatively titled "Laugh Now, Laugh Later". This album is set for release in early 2011.

Song Of The Week: 1/16/11

Song: "Rich Girl"

Artist: Everclear

Album: "The Vegas Years"

Year: 2008



"Rich Girl" is a cover song which was originally released in 1976. It was originally written and performed by Daryl Hall & John Oates. Everclear covered this song and released it on 2008's "The Vegas Years" which featured most of the cover songs which Everclear performed through the years. The song "Rich Girl" is basically about a girl who thinks she can get away with anything and do whatever she wants without consequences because her family comes from money. Any problems that she creates can be washed away because "daddy" has money. Everclear broke on to the music scene in 1992 hailing from Portland, OR. For the majority of the band's career it consisted of Art Alexakis on guitars and vocals, Craig Montoya on bass and Greg Eklund on drums. From 1995 to 2000, Everclear was one of the most successful bands in rock music, riding the wave of hit singles such as "Santa Monica", "Wonderful", "Father Of Mine" and "Everything To Everyone". The 2000's were quite a different story for the band however. Inner turmoil and tensions would lead to the departure of Montoya and Eklund in 2003. Alexakis then had to decide whether to continue on with Everclear and a new line-up or just go solo. He would keep Everclear intact, along with playing several solo acoustic tours, but new material was released rather sporadically. 2006's "Welcome To The Drama Club" was the only full studio release of all new material by the new Everclear line-up. They also released "The Vegas Years" cover compilation which featured mostly songs that were recorded throughout the band's career and 2009's "In A Different Light" which is basically an acoustic album featuring many of the band's hit songs stripped down. Currently, the band went through another line-up overhaul and, according to Alexakis, were planning on releasing a new album in 2010. 2010 has come and gone however with no new Everclear album.