Although 1976’s Technical Ecstasy (Vertigo/BMG) is unlikely to ever be viewed as a top tier release among most Black Sabbath fans, the fact that it exists at all goes to demonstrate the Birmingham foursome’s resilience and determination in those early days, if not the focus.
On the back of the international hit covers of Toto songs ‘Africa’ and ‘Rosanna’, Weezer has released a full covers album of 1980s megahits, pop rock earworms, 1990s RnB track, and one classic metal song! They announced the release on social media. In addition to ‘Africa’, some of the more memorable tracks include A-Ha’s ‘Take On Me,’ Tears for Fears’ ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World,’ The Eurythmics’ ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)’, Black Sabbath’s ‘Paranoid’, Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean’ and TLC’s No Scrubs’. Weezer has always had a love of covers and frequently closes their shows with Iron Maiden covers. Buy and stream The Teal Album below. The band will release their brand new album, The Black Album this March, followed by more tour dates with the Pixies. Continue reading
Photo by Trebmal Photography
The 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees have been revealed. Continue reading
It is commonplace for bands to state their admiration and inspiration from a wide range of influences and styles, and rightly so, ranging from the classics to lesser known and the newer, but very few can take such a multitude and clearly work them into their fabric. Houston, Texas based Jody Seabody & The Whirls are one such esoteric example that have taken a wide palette and concocted what is an undoubtedly barmy concoction.
The cover for second album Holographic Slammer (Artificial Head) suitably illustrates the colourful, complex and multi-layered proceedings with its 60’s style, vivid psychedelic artwork; and proves a throwback to many of the influences on show. Album opener ‘Two Atmospheres’ is a short number, which clearly resembles some of The Beatles more avant-garde catalogue, before ‘Grassman’ opens up into a huge sonic range from Electric Light Orchestra vocal lines, psychedelic fuzz and prog rock’s unconventional time signatures. Later on there are even nods to Fleetwood Mac and blues rock, before both parts of ‘Charlemagne’ and album closer ‘Fucked Up Adventurous’ turns you on your head with a raw, punk like sound ala Black Flag, changing without warning or easing whatsoever.
Surprisingly, this off-kilter change of pace works very well, adding an extra dimension to the album and keeping in line with the band’s quirky and obscure nature, which shows that nothing is off limits to them. This may not invoke any real new sounds or styles as such, but on Holographic Slammer they have skipped genre boundaries and formed something that is progressive in its scope.
7.0/10
CHRIS TIPPELL