FDF Volume 4 Issue 320 - Love and Rockets - Love and Rockets.

Album – Love and Rockets
Artist – Love and Rockets
Key Players – Daniel Ash – vocals, guitar. David J – Bass, harmonica, backing vocals. Kevin Haskins – drums,vibes, keyboards.

Produced By – Love and Rockets and John Fryer

Release Date – May 1989

Overview - This is the fourth full length album from the England based “Love and Rockets”. Formed from the 80's goth band “Bauhaus” (see the FDF on "Press Eject and Give me the Tape")

Love and Rockets didn't have huge presence on the US Charts until this record came out. The band landed on on the Billboard charts with “So Alive” and it peaked at #3. The band, rather than quickly releasing a follow up found David J and Daniel Ash releasing solo records. They'd release 3 more albums after this before disbanding (for good?) in 2009.

FDF Comments (aka the songs) – Just a short ten song 41 minute album here. The album opens with a heavily fuzzed out (you will hear this a lot) "**** (Jungle Law)". Pretty much everything is fuzzed out on this barring a clean guitar line from David J, but the drums are heavy and right on point. "No Big Deal" (live version) follows with heavy feedback returning. The band turns this in to the melody of the song, not just a wall of noise. Ash has a deep baritone voice that has a bit of a whine to it that is very haunting. The Haskins drum line focuses heavy on a down beat, which sounds like he is striking a metal plate or bowl. David J finds a solid and swooping bass line throughout. There is an extended harmonica section at the end that changes the listener experience. “The Purest Blue" has a long, and quiet build up. It seems to have strings, or a distant horn before a few lone keyboard notes are played. It continues to swirl around your head (especially with headphones on) before there is some speaking, it lulls you into a trance almost and then you are hit hard as "Motorcycle" rumbles forward. This is the Love and Rockets most fans like, the really heavy fuzzy stuff. It stands on it's own. "I Feel Speed" is a calmer and mellower tune. David J plays a swooping bass line as the band sings about the motorcycle setting them free. The guitar cords are lightly played and there are no drums. "Bound for Hell" has Ash alone before the drums and harmonica pick up. This is a traditional tune that the band keeps a bit true to the original, but also adds their spin to it. The David J walking bass line is right up in the mix and Haskins keeps it all in check. "The Teardrop Collector" is another quieter song, slow with finger snaps and just a backing keyboard drone before David J adds in some bass and the light guitar solo is a new sounds for the record, but it really doesn't get wildly interesting.  "So Alive" follows and it is a wild departure for the band, the female backing vocals are the first thing that long time fans notice. It is an odd “hit”single as there is not a super catchy riff or a big time sing along chorus, I'll say it is the drum beat.  "Rock and Roll Babylon" is an acoustic guitar led track and the band employs a full string section to really add layers. The album concludes with "No Words No More" another acoustic track with deep bass line (almost sounds like an upright) and the easy vocals from Ash. It is drum free leaving Haskins to add in some shakers and the distant harmonica is a nice touch.

Where are they now? - The band broke up in 2007, reformed and then called it quits in 2009. Ash stated at the time that they had played together long enough.

FDF Overall Take – There are some really great moments here. The band was well known for heavily distorted and dark songs, and they are here. They are also know for acoustic driven guitar tunes (No New Tale To Tell in the past) come to mind. The band mixes it up a lot with their sound and direction. You can't go wrong with this, but fans might also be more comfortable with a best of collection.

Links

Daniel Ash on Facebook

Kevin Haskins official site

David J

“Find out More”, Follow em and Buy

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Disclaimer – I am just a music fan. Feel free to comment about something that may be written incorrectly about the band/members etc. I strive to have a fun and enjoyable site. This site used to post mp3s but ran in to many issues. The audio clips provided are usually from YouTube. No copy write infringement is intended. Please alert me if something should be pulled. Finally, support the artist featured, or your favorite artist by purchasing their music, seeing their shows if possible and saying hi. They need your support.

FDF Volume 4 Issue 319 - Super Furry Animals - Fuzzy Logic

Album – Fuzzy Logic

Artist – Super Furry Animals
Key Players – Huw Bunford – guitar, vocals, cello. Guto Pryce – bass. Cian Ciaran – keyboards. Dafydd Ieuan – drums, percussion. Gruff Rhys – vocals, guitar.

Produced By – Gorwel Owen and SFA

Release Date – May 20, 1996

Overview – This is the debut album from Welsh band “Super Furry Animals”. Formed in Wales in 1993 the band was largely a an offshoot of some techno bands the members had been in. Once formed they released a single and then an EP before releasing this record. It was well received by the critics and fans. They've gone on to tour the world and release 8 more studio albums. The album cover is a collection of photos of a Welsh drug smuggler Howard Marks who visited the band during the recording.

FDF Comments (aka the songs) – The 12 song album opens up with “God! Show Me Magic” a track that has fuzzy guitar and driving guitars. The vocals are simple and it has a pop sensibility to it that keeps it fun and moving right along. “Fuzzy Birds” starts off a bit more mellow with just Rhys and a guitar before Ieuan starts the drums. There are layers of vocal harmonies and the Pryce bass line is fuzzy, but on point. “Something for the Weekend” keeps with the pop feel. For some reason new listeners might not expect the uptempo vibe that layer the vocals with Ciarans' keyboard and piano work. "Frisbee"  drives hard with the Bunford and Rhys guitar lines and the chanting call and response vocal runs. There are no solos, nobody gets the lone spotlight, instead the band gives you it all in layers that are satisfying even to the harshest of critics. We mellow out some as Rhys is all alone at the start of “Hometown Unicorn”. The band does join in, but keeps it pretty laid back. Rolling drums from Ieuan and big keyboard fills from Ciaran fill the sound and it adds to some of the urgency on the track. The quick bluesy guitar line is a nice change of pace too. “Gathering Moss” has an almost flamenco guitar style intro. Rhys has a bit of reverb on his voice to give it that booming feel, even though he is seemingly laid back. Again the layers of vocals add a unique sound and the keyboard playing holds court. “If You Don't Want Me to Destroy You” you'd almost expect to be a wild, rocking track, but it is surprisingly mid tempo with the guitar interplay a common focus. The piano adds additional fills and the drums are kept in check.  "Bad Behaviour"  has the buzzy poppiness of bands like Superdrag and Velvet Crush. The sing along chanting chorus will get you moving! The final few minutes of a loose jam are worth the time.  "Mario Man"  finds Ciaran playing a smooth piano line with Bunford giving some light guitar chords and Pryce tossing some bass line grooves. Ieuan rumbles across and the band locks in a groove with tripped out vocals. “Hangin' With Howard Marks” is a great uptempo rumble of a track. Good vocals and the guitars are tight with the drums. This is the band locked and loaded. “Long Gone” has more acoustic guitars and has a string section involved as well. We conclude with “For Now and Ever” sounds like a “bar closing” song, with a buzzy sing along sway back and forth type of feel. A solid and appropriate closer.

Where are they now? - The band has remained intact since this record. They are currently on hiatus.

FDF Overall Take – This record might take unfamiliar listeners off guard. I am not sure what one would expect when they see the bands name but I guess a suggestion is to think the opposite. Well structured tunes, layers of buzzy guitar and solid vocals harmonies make for a very solid and rewarding listen. It has made many “essential” lists for a reason. I think you'd be both happy AND surprised how much you like it and how good it really is. Well worth your time.

“Find out More”, Follow em and Buy

Official Site

Fan Site

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Disclaimer – I am just a music fan. Feel free to comment about something that may be written incorrectly about the band/members etc. I strive to have a fun and enjoyable site. This site used to post mp3s but ran in to many issues. The audio clips provided are usually from YouTube. No copy write infringement is intended. Please alert me if something should be pulled. Finally, support the artist featured, or your favorite artist by purchasing their music, seeing their shows if possible and saying hi. They need your support.

FDF Volume 4 Issue 318 - Blur 13

Album - 13

Artist - Blur

Key Players – Graham Coxon – guitar (electric and acoustic), vocals, banjo, saxophone and backing vocals.. Alex James – bass and backing vocals. Damon Albarn – lead vocals, piano, keyboards, acoustic guitar. Dave Rowntree – drums, percussion

Produced By – William Orbit + Blur

Release Date – March 15, 1999

Overview – This is the 6^th studio album from London formed band “Blur”. This was their fourth consecutive release to go to #1 in the UK. The band had changed up some of their sound on this release going a bit more electronic as well as psychedelic. The band even broke from their long time producer to go with a more electronically based producer in William Orbit. The album is a loose concept album about life and much of it was inspired by Albarn's breakup with Justine Frischmann, the singer for Elastica.. The album just took its title from the number of tracks, and the cover art is a painting done by Coxon called “Apprentice”. The album would garner many positive reviews and end up on many year end best of lists.

FDF Comments (aka the songs) – This is a pretty long record, clocking in at 66 minutes. The thirteen tracks start with one of the singles released "Tender". A slow building guitar lead song that has hand claps and foot stomps, almost a campfire like feel. Albarn has a unique voice that can range from deep to falsetto in just a few bars. The band all joins in for a full chorus, but the music never pushes much out of the quiet guitar, bass and drum. “Bugman” is a stark contrast with Coxon right after it with the fuzzed out guitar and Albarn bit more aggressive vocally. Rowntree's drums are heavier but James' bass is still a bit buried for my liking. Coxon has some fun with the guitar layers and the psychedelic feel is even more accented with the heavy use of a theramin and the false ending that basically makes this a whole new song is a mind bender.   "Coffee and TV" fun uptempo, great bass work at start, mellow vocals, a longer guitar solo, still very good bass, most piano keys at end church organ closer.  “Swamp Song” has a choppy and slide guitar mesh up that turns in to a fun singalong and it all comes to a crashing end. “1992” fades up on drums, acoustic guitar, mellow builds with noise, swirling guitar, bass and piano. “B.L.U.R.E.M.I” - chopping guitar, sort of punk rock feel, smashing drums crazy vocals effect goes to a fake ending with calm piano and new age feel. “Battle” - keyboard loop build. Cool drum line sounds a bit like something you'd here off the Blade Runner soundtrack. Real crunchy guitar radiohead like in the layers and time change. “Mellow Song” lives up to its name with acoustic guitar, light keyboards and solo vocals for a bit, then everyone comes in. “Trailerpark” is a bit off tempo, layers of keyboards, quirky sounding then builds to almost a Joy Division like feel. “Caramel” is a hushed tune,slow to build, rolling drums builds to angelic cries and continues to grown in the same vein another false ending with an organ in the distance playing. “Trimm Trabb” has a very buzzy bass, wah wah guitar but shakes all that. Distorted vocals later..guitar takes over bass, but bass still is there.  “No Distance Left to Run” another radio single quiet, mellow, sort of plodding musically, but not terrible. The album wraps up with “Optigan 1” which sounds a bit like that music from the end of Tailerpark.

Where are they now? The band grew to be one of the biggest exports in music in the late 90's. By 2001 the band was looking in other directions. Coxon recorded solo while Albarn formed “Gorillaz”. They reformed in 2008 and have worked on some new material, but nothing has come from it yet. In 2013 they played a few live shows as well keeping the band on the radar, albeit a light blip.

FDF Overall Take – Love em or not, they craft a pretty solid record. Its no mistake this record charted and sold well for a while. The band did change directions on some fans around this time, but its a solid and rewarding listen. Worth your time.

“Find out More”, Follow em and Buy!

Official site

Buy it!

Disclaimer – I am just a music fan. Feel free to comment about something that may be written incorrectly about the band/members etc. I strive to have a fun and enjoyable site. This site used to post mp3s but ran in to many issues. The audio clips provided are usually from YouTube. No copy write infringement is intended. Please alert me if something should be pulled. Finally, support the artist featured, or your favorite artist by purchasing their music, seeing their shows if possible and saying hi. They need your support.