Filed under: Adventures in Stereo Revival, Adventures in Stereo favourite, Jane's addiction, Random, Red Hot Chili Peppers | Tags: Adventures in Stereo favourite, Adventures in Stereo Revival, Dave Navarro, Jane's addiction, One Hot Minute, Red Hot Chili Peppers
I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at underappreciated albums and the first album to get the Adventures in Stereo Revival is Red Hot Chili Pepper’s 1995 release ‘One Hot Minute’.
One Hot Minute is the first and only Red Hot Chili Peppers record that featured ex-Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro. Coincidentally it also found the band on a darker, richer vein of form than they had been on their previous albums (and indeed the records that followed).
Although there is no denying that ‘Blood Sugar Sex Magik’ will remain the highlight of their career, ‘One Hot Minute’ is its equal. But, it will forever be discarded by ‘fans’ of the band who dislike its ‘experimental’ sound.
For those fans who discovered the ‘Chili Peppers following the success of Californication and By The Way, One Hot Minute is bound to disappoint. It’s dark and edgy and although it plays unlike anything the band produced before, or after, Navarro’s stint you can’t help but feel that something doesn’t quite fit.
The lead-off single, ‘Warped’, was certainly an indication of what to expect. The band had never sounded so full or heavy. The instrumentation is busy, which seems to highlight the musicianship of the band more than their other records (though there’s no denying that Flea always brings his ‘A’ game to the table). This is evident throughout much of the album.
Navarro turned the band on its head. Turned them into something more than the band they were (or the pop band they would become), but it just wouldn’t work out.
There’s definately a different feel and atmosphere surrounding each of the album’s tracks. But that’s no bad thing. One Hot Minute is a great record. Possibly the record that they needed to make in order to exorcise their demons. 
Filed under: Downloads, Ford Radio, Future releases, Greg Dulli, Isobel Campbell, Jane's addiction, Jools Holland, Little Radio, Mark Lanegan, NME, Perry Farrell, Radio Sessions, Random, Satelitte Party, Scott Ford, Scott Weiland, Stone Temple Pilots, The Afghan Whigs, The Gutter Twins, Video | Tags: Greg Dulli, Isobel Campbell, Jane's addiction, Jools Holland, Mark Lanegan, NME, Scott Ford, Screaming Trees, Stone Temple Pilots, Sunday at Devil Dirt, The Afghan Whigs, The Gutter Twins
Just a few things that you folk might be interested in:
1. Jane’s Addiction will unite for an NME Awards show, where they will receive the Godlike Genius Award
The original line up will perform for the first time since September 1991 at the ceremony on Wednesday, April 23rd at the Goldenvoice El Rey Theatre in L.A.
Hopefully the band rediscover the magic that brought them together and embark on a tour … maybe even record some new material. With Perry Farrell’s Satellite Party seemingly stalled who could say?
2. Sunday at Devil Dirt, the second album from Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan, is due out May 5th. You can expect more of the same, however the chemistry is slightly different this time around (due to the both being in the same room this time), making the whole thing sound that little better. And if what I’ve heard is anything to go by, this album is a lot darker than it’s predecessor.
Although Ballad of the Broken Seas was well received by critics, Lanegan fans were largely divided. I actually enjoyed the album, but felt that ‘Revolver’ (Lanegan’s writing contribution) was the highlight.
Sunday at Devil Dirt is again penned by Campbell and those who fell in love with the first album will no doubt fall in love all over again … those looking for something a little bit more will not be disappointed either.
3. Scott Ford has confirmed that The Gutter Twins will be appearing on Jools Holland’s ‘Later … ‘ on April 29th. This is great news as it harks back to the days when I actually enjoyed watching Later as it had bands that were great, not just ‘cool’.
It seems that The Gutter Twins have been well received and this just strengthens that further. Sadly it means that some tour dates will have to be cancelled, but this exposure is certainly good news.
4. Stone Temple Pilots announced an extensive tour, which is scheduled to kick off on May 17th. At the press conference at Harry Houdini’s Estate in Hollywood, the band also performed a 30 minute set.
This comes shortly after Weiland’s split from Velvet Revolver and almost certainly will result in a new album.
That’s about it.
Until next time, here’s two great MP3’s:
The Gutter Twins: Idle Hands (the Letterman performance) and Down the Line.
… and two great video’s to watch.
Filed under: Adventures in Stereo NEWS!, Adventures in Stereo favourite, Downloads, Earth, Joseph Arthur, Nick Cave, Perry Farrell, Random, Satelitte Party, Scott Weiland, Stone Temple Pilots, The Gutter Twins, Velvet Revolver, Video | Tags: Adventures in Stereo favourites, Earth, Gutter Twins, Joseph Arthur, Nick Cave, Random, Satelitte Party, Scott Weiland, Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver, Video
Greetings!
I realise that it’s been a while since my last post and in that time Velvet Revolver have announced that they are parting company with Scott Weiland. This comes just shortly on the heels of Weiland’s announcement in Glasgow on March 20th that “this is the last tour” and former band, Stone Temple Pilots, announcing that they were reforming for a tour in the summer.
Slash had stated that “This band is all about its fans and its music and Scott Weiland isn’t 100% committed to either. Among other things, his increasingly erratic on-stage behavior and personal problems have forced us to move on.”
Regardless, it seems that a 3rd Velvet Revolver album is on the cards, while Weiland will no doubt focus on the Stone Temple Pilots reunion.
… I also realise that I’ve again been late with the monthly bootleg. I had loaned much of my collection to a friend and it’s taken me a while to look out a worthy show.
… I’ve also been re-arranging my proper CD collection so that ‘Saturnalia’, ‘The Bees Made Honey In The Lions Skull’, ‘Ultra-Payloaded’, ‘Our Shadows Will Remain’ and ‘Dig, Lazarus Dig!!!’ finally find their place among the many others.
Saturnalia, for those who are missing out, is one of the finest albums I’ve heard in a number of years. I’ve been a fan of Lanegan for some time (since I first heard Screaming Trees) and I also loved The Afghan Whigs (Twilight Singers are pretty good, but The Whigs were special), so to say this collaboration is a little special would be understatement. The first 3 tracks (The Stations, God’s Children and All Misery/Flowers) make their intentions very clear: there’s no dwelling on past glories and although often echoing the best work of each frontman (God’s Children sounding like Black Love era Whigs, All Misery/Flowers creeps in like one of Lanegan’s Bubblegum-era tracks, while Bete Noir is reminiscent of the best of Screaming Trees), the approach is fresh, with both are on particularly inspired form.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ latest (Dig, Lazarus Dig!!!) may not be as instantly appealing as it’s predecessor (2004’s amazing double Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus), but after a few listens it has managed to tunnel its way into my brain. The title track is particularly catchy and was for a while my wake up call in the morning. Night of the Lotus Eaters, We Call Upon the Author and Jesus of the Moon are highlights.
I’ll say no more about Earth’s latest, as I’ve already commented on it in a previous post. However, if you haven’t already checked out the MP3 of Omens & Portents I: The Driver (courtesy of record label Southern Lord), I recommend that you do so now. The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Skull’ is an incredibly powerful album, tinged with desert rock and uplifting southern gothic (doesn’t that stir some intrigue?).
The other two albums are older, but are well deserving of a mention here. Perry Farrell’s first Satellite Party record didn’t get the reaction it deserved from me first time around, but I’ll have to review my top 10 of 2007. I’ve been listening to it a fair bit these last few weeks and it’s a brilliant album … a natural progression from Jane’s Addiction’s Strays.
‘Our Shadows Will Remain’ is another that has grown on me over time. There’s no denying Joseph Arthur’s talent, however I’d initially found it to be a little too … overwhelming. Or underwhelmingly overwhelming? Regardless, it has since grown on me … the sign of a great album. Even Tho is my current favourite, with Can’t Exist being a close second.
Anyhoo, hope you are all doing well and enjoy these videos.
Filed under: Adventures in Stereo NEWS!, Albums of Year, Downloads, Random | Tags: Adventures in Stereo favourites, Because of the Times, Downloads, Earth, Forum, King, Never, Never Land, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Pale Horse and Rider, PJ Harvey, Random, T.I., The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull, The Gutter Twins, UNKLE, Video, Wu Tang Clan
Firstly, HOORAY!!! for the end of the working week.
Secondly, I can’t wait to have another listen to The Gutter Twins album that has been streaming online for a few weeks now (see ‘The Gutter Twins: Saturnalia’ post).
Thirdly, I’ve been sitting around thinking “I really have to watch ‘Intacto’ at some point”. A friend of mine loaned it to me several months ago and I still haven’t watched it. But I shall … this week (unless I watch the remake of ‘3:10 to Yuma’ again, as it’s that darn good).
… my music collection has been largely neglected these last few months. I’m still listening to Kings of Leon’s excellent ‘Because of the Times’ quite a bit, and aside from that the playlist has included UNKLE’s ‘Never, Never Land’, ‘Uh Huh Her’ by the wonderful PJ Harvey (who, according to the BRITS, isn’t deserving of BEST FEMALE ahead of Kate Nash), Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ ‘The Boatman’s Call’ (getting ready for the release of ‘Dig!!! Lazarus, Dig!!!’) and Pale Horse and Rider’s ‘Moody Pike’.
I’ve also recently discovered ‘King’ by T.I. I know that many folk will know who this guy is and be thinking “old news, Jim”, but give me a break. On the subject of Hip-Hop, not so old news is The Wu-Tang Clan’s ‘8 Diagrams’, which is a stunning return (as is Ghostface Killah’s recent release, ‘Big Doe Rehab’).
But, the one album that I really can’t get enough of at the moment is Earth’s astounding ‘The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Head’. I’ve liked a few of their previous records, but found this one to be instantly captivating … and joyous! I’d encourage anyone – having heard their previous work or not – to go out and purchase this album.
If you’d like to know more about Dylan Carlson’s Earth, give this place a visit.
… and from The Southern Lord website, here’s the brilliant track that opens 2008’s brilliant ‘The Bees Made Honey In The Lions Skull’: ‘Omens and Portents I: The Driver’ (MP3)
As well as all this, there’s an Adventures in Stereo forum in operation. It might not last long, but I figured it’s worth it.
Enjoy and have a splendid weekend.
