Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Best Albums of 2011: Arctic Monkeys - Suck it and See


Suck it and See is fourth record from these british indie rockers. I think they got back to the roots with this record because they used similar guitar sounds like on their first two records Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not and Favourite Worst Nightmare.

In fact, I was kind of worried about this band after release of their third LP Humbug. It just didn't work for me. It wasn't so bad album, but I just felt these guys aren't what they used to be.

However, Suck it and See just blew my mind. Right after release of "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair" I just knew this record will be awesome. And it is. There may not be so many kick-ass hits like on debut ("I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor", "Fake Tales of San Francisco" or "When the Sun Goes Down"), but this record's got many great tunes, which I really enjoy.

Song of the day: Chris Cornell - "Call Me A Dog"

This song was originally written for Temple of the Dog. It was a band which released only one self-titled record in 1991. This album was tribute to Andrew Wood, singer of Mother Love Bone, who died of drug-overdose. Chris Cornell, good friend of Andrew Wood, who was already in Soundgarden asked former Mother Love Bone members to form Temple of the Dog. They also took Mike McCready to be a lead guitarist and Eddie Vedder to sing backing vocals. This band was in fact start of Pearl Jam - former Mother Love Bone members plus McCready and Vedder formed later Pearl Jam that celebrated their 20th anniversary with great documentary movie Pearl Jam 20 this year. I highly recommend you to watch this movie.

Anyway, "Call Me a Dog" is my favorite song from this record. It is even better performed by Chris Cornell only. He actually released acoustic record this year called Songbook, which also features this song.

Best Albums of 2011: Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You

Red Hot Chili Peppers are legends. There's no doubt about it. I'm With You is their first album since their double-record Stadium Arcadium, which came out in 2006. It is also first album with new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, multi-instrumentalist and former Warpaint guitarist. He replaced John Frusciante who was the most famous guitarist of RHChP - he recorded the most band's albums.

It started all in 1989 with Mother's Milk. Then they recorded probably their best album ever - Blood Sugar Sex Magik in 1991 with Frusciante. However, then he was forced to leave the band because of his drug addiction. But he returned with mega successful record Californication in 1999. By The Way and Stadium Arcadium were last two albums recorded with Frusciante, because in 2009 he left the band.

Like I already said, Josh Klinghoffer replaced him and this year in august, they finally released new record with him. Of course, you can hear different, more abstract guitar style of Josh. He doesn't really make up catchy riffs, but instead he adds abstract guitar sounds to already made up music. Therefore, Flea's bass is dominant on this record. It doesn't mean it is bad though.

I think that departure of Frusciante helped Red Hot Chili Peppers to move forward. They moved to the next level as a band. I'm With You is different a little, but it is stil the same band who makes funky music with crazy bass riffs. I like this new fresh sound of this band. It's got many awesome songs such as first single "The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie", second single "Monarchy Of Roses", slow "Brendan's Death Song" or "Happiness Loves Company".

I'm With You is great album. Of course, Blood Suger Sex Magic and Californication eras are gone, but this band still has something to offer. I hope I get to see them finally live in 2012.

Listen to new Paul McCartney song


Below you can check new Paul McCartney's song entitled "My Valentine". It features Eric Clapton on guitar. It is a beautiful song that gets you in Christmas atmosphere.

Also, McCartney's, yet untitled, new record will be out on February 7 next year. According to McCartney, the album will have feel of 20s and 30s. Except Eric Clapton, the album will also feature Stevie Wonder and Diana Krall.

Listen to The Kills cover "Silent Night"

Below you can hear The Kills covering "Silent Night". The lyrics is little bit changed (Alison Mosshart is going to eat you...) in this version. Anyway, it's a beautiful cover of classic Christmas carol. Alison's got great voice for this one. Enjoy.