Your Christmas Music Is All Set For Today! MERRY CHRISTMAS from Max and the Arkells

Merry Christmas one and all!  Whether you celebrate or not, I wish you all a merry December 25!  I hope you are not working today, and I wish you true joy on this morning.

If you’re sick of all the shows on TV, and tired of your Christmas albums, the Arkells have just what you need. The Hamilton band have their “Fireplace Channel” all set on YouTube. You can listen to acoustic renditions of all their hits from the Campfire Chords record, while Max hangs stockings and brings you cookies.  Put it on a loop and enjoy with your tea and gifts!

Please drop a comment and let me know how you’re doing on this Christmas day.  I value every one of you.

 

Mike

 

REVIEW: Guns N’ Roses – “Perhaps” / “The General” (2023 single)

GUNS N’ ROSES – “Perhaps” / “The General” (2023 Geffen 7″ single)

The band that once took 15 years to release a new album hasn’t been doing too shabby of late with new releases.  “Perhaps” we should say new/old releases (see what I did there?) because all four of the new songs released by Guns N’ Roses since Chinese Democracy have been re-worked outtakes from that era.  Since Duff McKagan and Slash have returned to Guns, we’ve had four new tracks:  “ABSUЯD” & “Hard Skool” were released on a previous single, and now we have “Perhaps” and “The General” to go with them.

The “G” side of this new single contains “Perhaps”, which is immediately reminiscent of Use Your Illusion era Guns, via the prominent piano line.  Of any song released since, “Perhaps” sounds the most like a song that would have come out on a new GN’R album in 1995.  Slash’s guitar solo sounds perfectly vintage, but it’s Dizzy Reed on piano, whose flourishes recall “November Rain”, that brings it all back to the glory days.  “Perhaps” wouldn’t have been a big hit in the 90s, but it certainly would have been a solid album cut.

On the “R” side is “The General”, a song we’ve heard whispers about from those in Axl’s inner circle.  This track is the most disappointing, without any notable hooks.  It sounds more of the Chinese Democracy era, and is purely B-side material.  It has a haunting quality that might come from Axl’s love of Alice Cooper, but it’s anything but memorable and the technical flourishes don’t do it any favours, except to obscure the lack of catchy melody or riff.

One good song, one throwaway.  That makes the score pretty clear.

2.5/5 stars

REVIEW: Bruce Dickinson – “Afterglow of Ragnarok” (2023 single)

BRUCE DICKINSON – “Afterglow of Ragnarok” (2023 BMG 7″ single)

In 2024 we will be graced by a new Bruce Dickinson platter, his first solo album since Tyranny of Souls in 2005.  He’s back with Roy Z, and a forthcoming concept album called The Mandrake Project.  This single is billed as a “prequel”.  It comes with a beautiful, full colour comic book insert, installed in the middle of the gatefold.  The story will be fully revealed next year, but this is a project that Bruce has been working on a long long time…

Witness:  The B-side “If Eternity Should Fail”, a demo version of a song that Iron Maiden re-recorded on The Book of Souls.  It’s not the first time Maiden have lifted a song from Bruce’s solo compositions!  He remarks in the liner notes that the song is radically re-imagined on the final Mandrake Project album, but that the keyboards on this demo actually made it to the Maiden version!  Bruce on keys, Roy Z on bass and guitar.  It’s really not that different at all!  The drums are most noticeable.  Presumably this is a drum machine.  Roy’s bass work is pretty cool too.  It introduces the character of Necropolis, who will feature on the album.

The A-side, “Afterglow of Ragnarok”, is promising.  Drums thunder, in cavernous hugeness. Downtuned guitars provide a metallic gutpunch, with a riff that is as solid as any in Bruce and Roy’s impressive history.  The chorus is another demonstration of power and melody.  A Bruce classic, this will be.

Looking forward to The Mandrake Project, we are.  Bruce’s solo work has often rivalled Maiden in quality, not to set expectations too high.  This single is a positive omen.

4.5/5 stars

Happy Birthday Jennifer

Please join me in wishing the beautiful Jennifer a happy birthday today!  I know all she wants for Christmas is the Leafs to win the Cup, but let’s wish that for her birthday too.  They need all the help they can get if they wanna hoist the cup in 2024.

OK, so now I’m in trouble on her birthday.

But seriously, she’s the best Jen in the whole world and if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today.

Happy birthday Sweetie Cutie.

 

No show tonight as we celebrate a special day.  Instead we are re-running the awesome Arkells Appreciation episode from last summer with Nurse Kat.  Enjoy and we’ll be back next week with surprises and recap!

 

REVIEW: Extreme – Extragraffitti (1990 Japanese EP)

EXTREME – Extragraffitti (1990 A&M Japan EP)

This little EP, exclusive to Japan, is almost like a miniature “greatest hits” for Extreme.  Of the six songs, five were singles.  You might say “It’s not a greatest hits if it doesn’t have ‘More Than Words’ on it, and that would be a valid point, but that breakthrough ballad hadn’t been released as a single yet in November 1990.

Opening with the current single “Get the Funk Out”, we are off to a good start.  This track works most excellently as an opener.  That bass rolls in, before the guitar riff starts to rip.  Once the horns kick in, your face is thoroughly melted.  This EP focuses on fun.  There’s nothing here that’s a drag.

An edit version of “Decadence Dance” is unblunted.  It’s mostly just the intro stuff that’s missing anyway, and that belonged on the concept album from which it came.  The bonus here is you get Paul Geary’s cymbal count-in instead, which you can’t hear on the Pornograffitti album.  So dance to the beat of the decadent drummer, and get rocked.  This is one of Extreme’s best bangers, a full-on Van Halen romp with hooks and flash…as you like it.

Back to the self-titled 1988 debut album for the next three tracks.  A remix of “Mutha (Don’t Wanna Go to School Today)” may have more bass, edge and clarity.  It’s not a radical remix.  Nuno’s guitar fills jump out nicely.  The first Extreme album was a mixed bag of material, with none of it reaching the upper echelons like the second record.  That said, “Mutha” was probably the best track of the bunch, and the most like what came later.

“Little Girls” only loses about 20 seconds, so you’re fine with this version.  Again, it’s the opening missing.  This song is notable for some remarkable harmonica playing by Rapheal May.  Really impressive stuff here, just as superb as Nuno’s guitar work.  The lyrics, however, can’t be saved.  They were never good, even by 1988 standards.  “Incestual blood is thicker than water,” has to be the worst words that Gary Cherone has ever penned to paper.  Roll up your windows if you intend to sing along to this song.  Shame the band is so hot.

The album version of “Kid Ego” is here unaltered, it’s just not that interesting of a song.  The groove plods along in a lazy, 1980s way that every single band was doing.  It sounds like every band had their metronome set to the same time.

The B-side “Nice Place to Visit” has been released in a number of places, such as the “More Than Words” single in 1991, but first it was the B-side to “Little Girls”.  As an outtake from the so-so first album, this song is also so-so.

The final track, and the only one exclusive to this CD, is a message from Extreme!  These messages from band members were fairly common on Japanese EPs and singles by Western bands.  It is geared specifically for the Japanese fans, and it’s adorable hearing their deep Boston accents.  This message is fairly light.  Nuno talks about their goals as a band, and Gary assures the fans that they will see them real soon.  Apparently, the Japanese fans also sent the neatest, tidiest mail.

Good EP for its time.  There’s even a sticker inside.

3.5/5 stars

 

Evil Christmas? Unboxing a Care Package from Evil Elvis!

A huge thank you to K.C. of Evil Elvis fame, for this care package.

One thing I am passionate about is doing my small part to promote music I love.  I have always felt strongly about that, and now that I have a couple platforms to do it, I’m happy to tell the world about artists like Evil Elvis.  I recently reviewed the excellent Undead or Alive CD, and in gratitude, I was sent an early evil Christmas present.

Check ’em out at evilelvis.bandcamp.com and enjoy this fun unboxing video with a couple music clips for a taste of Evil Elvis.

REVIEW: Sven Gali – Bombs and Battlescars (2023)

SVEN GALI –  Bombs and Battlescars (2023 Music In Motion Entertainment)

Look at me, in the eyes! When I say “Sven Gali is back,” I’m meaning it! The Canadian Quintet revitalised themselves with the 3 EP in 2020, and took their time with their next full-length (their first since 1995).  They recruited Coney Hatch bassist/singer Andy Curran for some of the production duties, picked a Triumph song to cover, and hit the road playing well-received shows in 2023.  Bombs and Battlescars is the name of the record.  Of note, the late Dee Cernile is credited with co-writing several tracks, and the album includes some unreleased demos from the before-fore times.  Let’s have a listen.

One thing for certain:  don’t expect Sven Gali to suddenly revert back to the sound of their self-titled debut.  This is a much heavier, more pounding and frankly more satisfying Sven Gali.  Opener “One Gun” slams with a more viscous brutality, but singer Dave Wanless is still the same.  If I wanted to hear the sound of ’92 again, I’d play the original purple platter by Sven (recently reissued on coloured vinyl).  I want the sound that satisfies the “me” of today – and I’m as frustrated as Sven Gali sound on “One Gun”.  The snaky guitar solo is just icing on the cake.  “I’m losin’ faith!” proclaims Wanless, and I believe him.

A steady chunky groove introduces “Coming Home”, a headbanger with a dark Metallica vibe.  Dan Fila and Shawn Minden lay down this beat that just boils.  The lead guitars are like liquid adamantium, but beneath it all churns a volcanic pressure cooker.  This is possibly the highlight of the new songs, a memorable track that demands to be cranked.  Car test it for good measure.  (The band is rounded out by guitarists Andy Frank and Sean Williamson.)

The Triumph cover is, appropriately, third in line.  “Spellbound” suits Sven Gali surprisingly well, but they don’t play it straight.  They’ve thrown the track into the darkest night, but let the chorus light the way.  Guitar textures are added.  This song should make the longtime fans very happy.  It’s Triumph, but presented as heavy as possible.  Listen to Fila annihilate his drums!

Darkness dominates on “Life Inside”, a dusky dirge with some pretty cool guitar work.  The atmospheric “Monster” resists being called a “ballad” but it’s the slowest moment in the journey thus far.  “Monster” just kills, not straightforward or easy to categorize.  It’s moody and doesn’t let up.

“Hang Me Out” is the first of the unreleased demos, and there’s something nostalgic about that.  You can hear an audible shift in sound, and “Hang Me Out” definitely has a mid-90s vibe.  There are twists and turns in the music that bring you right back.  Then the wah-wah pedal comes out for the relentless guitars on “Hogs”.  The funky groove here definitely brews nostalgia, but this track should have been released long ago!  By the end of it, you’ll be shoutin’ “HOGS!”  The 8th track “All” goes for speed and groove while the guitars ring in chaotic perfection.

Finally, a record needle drops and the acoustic guitars come out for the closing ballad and classic in the making:  “Nothing New”.  As much as Sven are known for rocking, some of their big hits were ballads (like “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore”).  “Nothing New” is a lovely, stripped down ballad with sweet melodies and the purity of acoustic music.

Ultimately the demos are just as entertaining as the rest of the album.  They make you wish they’d come out ages ago.

Well done to Sven Gali on Bombs & Battlescars, a blazing comeback with a surprisingly tender ending.

4/5 stars

Get your copy on vinyl & CD, plain or signed!

 

#1102: My Favourite Hat – An Uncle Paul Story

Uncle Paul’s absence was felt this past weekend, as we gathered with Aunt Maria to celebrate Christmas.  It was an emptier space, but a warm one full of light and happy tears.

One of our Christmas traditions in past years was pizza.  In the olden days, Aunt Maria would bring a pair of big, square homemade pizzas to feed us for a busy Christmas lunch.  This time the pizza was round, and provided by Dominos, but that didn’t dull the experience.  It was delightful just to be having pizza together.

I have a lot of pizza memories with Uncle Paul and Aunt Maria.  The date would have been June 29, 2009.  The day I helped them move into their new home.  I remember the date, because unexpectedly and coincidentally, Michael Jackson died that day!  We all had pizza on their awesome back patio after moving about 20 boxes of Christmas ornaments!  Happy day, and so pizza is always an appropriate meal to share.

We went down into the basement to look at my uncle’s incredible collection of model and die-cast cars.  Hundreds and hundreds of cars, some boxed, some on loving display.  Some looked recently dusted, others not.  A dust mitt lay on a shelf, its job interrupted and unfinished.  I spotted two ancient vehicles from the 1950s, that were once passed down to me, and then passed back to my uncle:  a blue Meccano car-carrier, and an orange Meccano crane.  They were well loved and handled by me, but restored and displayed by my uncle.  It was bittersweet, but the memories were all good ones.

At the end of the night, with pizza consumed and hugs exchanged, Aunt Maria presented one final gift from Uncle Paul.  She brought out four of his favourite hats that he wore all the time.  My dad, my sister, and Jen and I all selected a hat.  You can see that some of them had a lot of sun, some were newer, and others were well loved.  I selected a black hat with a red Mopar logo and wore it the whole way home.

Thank you Uncle Paul and Aunt Maria.

The 1002nd Album – S2E3. Blue Rodeo – “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet” (Mike Ladano)

I was honoured to be back on Geoff Stephen’s excellent show, the 1002nd album, to talk this time about a special song instead of an album.  I don’t know why I’m drawn to acoustic-based music when I’m with Geoff, but I know he loves a lot of those old Blue Rodeo songs.  I instinctively chose “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet” from Five Days in July, a remarkable song from a spontaneously recorded album.  It captures the cold and loneliness of a Canadian winter, yet with the warmth that only acoustic guitars and electric bass can nullify.  But don’t let me spoil it for you.  Here’s Geoff and yours truly with our chat on “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet” by Blue Rodeo.  My favourite.

Merry Rockin’ Christmas: Our Top Five Favourite Christmas Tunes & More on Grab A Stack of Rock

A bright end to a crummy week!  Jen is a trooper once again.  She may have taken a spill again, but as always, she insists the show must go on.  If she didn’t, then we wouldn’t have had this wonderful Friday night to remember.  Thank you Jen.

I need to thank my special co-host and guests tonight.  They all brought the lists, with Roger cheating a little bit (taking a bit from the Harrison playbook) and everyone adding a unique spin.

  • Tim Durling of Tim’s Vinyl Confessions proved to be the expert on all things Bob & Doug McKenzie, which came in handy on my #5 pick.  We also took a look at Tim’s new Y&T book, Down for the Count!  Please, get yourself a copy on Amazon.ca or your local version.
  • Peter Kerr of Rock Daydream Nation provided an Australian pick and a number of familiar favourites.  Check out Peter’s channel for an interview with Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, and many awesome videos.  He is also one of the contributor’s to Tim’s new book.
  • John Clauser of My Music Corner surprised us all with some great picks, some obscure ones, and one very special #1.  I did not see this one coming.
  • John the Music Nut, Clauser’s co-captain, also provided some brilliant and unique picks this evening.  John recently contributed to Tim’s Y&T book as well.
  • Metal Roger went outside the box on a number of picks, and also provided comedy relief for pretty much the entire night!
  • Additionally, we have some excellent lists from Harrison Kopp and Uncle Meat.  These provided some great discussion topics.

As far as physical product goes, we saw some mail-order-only Marillion and a very cool lenticular album cover that I must acquire somehow.

Merry Christmas one and all!  This is the last show before the big day, as the 22nd is a night off for Jen’s birthday.  Don’t worry though – we have a re-run scheduled, of a great show from the summer:  Arkells appreciation with Aaron and Nurse Kat.

Enjoy!

A very special Christmas to my “forever” friend @manda_runs_and_swims.  Write me!