12/23/2009

Cranberries, The -- Zombie

One last 10☆/10★ score, then some more 9's, 8's, 7's and 6's for ye. (No shit music -- that's a promise)

This time it's a brilliant (in the same way the video to No Doubt's "Don't Speak", Depeche Mode's "Precious" and Johnny Cash's (RIP) rendition of Trent Reznor's classic masterpiece "Hurt" was anyway) video, fabulous lyrics and an wondorously well included, ever-present, background theme of unease and war.

Of course, this theme refers to the aptly named "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland. This theme is not shown visually (THAT much) but rather portrayed through a songful of terrificly sung lyrics, which you can thank Dolores O'Riordan for.

Released in 1994, it's still being played on the radio today.

Enough waffle, you want some music. But it's my DUTY to educate the musical thickos of this world you see.

Give it a good stab with a very blunt and partially rusty knife: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MShJ8h7cEbE&fmt=18

10☆/10★

(Enjoy this video, if you come across a better source, please let one of the team know -- we try our best, but "we" (really "I" to be truthful) sometimes miss the best quality shizzles.)

Vibrasphere -- Tierra Azul (Gem)

I know, i've been handing out too many 10☆/10★ recently, but this is another one where it's appropriate.

Plus the fact that I am head of the "team of one" here at MMP and I alone make the rules, which in turn means that I alone can "bend" the rules, so there.

As always if you have any complaints take them up with the customer service department, who will give you the "single finger salute."

Anyways, on with the music! A proper beaut of a track.

Do some damage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAuQFgClvyQ&fmt=18

10☆/10★

(The quality of the above video is better in sound than in picture quality, at least it was on this machine. If you are having trouble with the video, or just have a shite connection.. try the bandwidth reduced non-HQ video --
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAuQFgClvyQ)

12/19/2009

Vibrasphere -- Manzanilla

This is 09:02 you'll not regret taking time out for.

With beautiful melodic riffs and clarity that is difficult to fathom, this track may well take you to a place safer and more wonderful than anything you had previously known.

Listen to it, there's precious little that mere words and letters can do to describe it.

Lie back, get all your best sound gear warmed up ((all 19+ drivers)twenty minutes or so before) and travel far far away, into another dimension of your limitless consciousness, your psyche is set to swirl.

Ready... Fight!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYkXF3o0hCY

10☆/10★ -- A rarity indeed, a sublime track has to have a sublime score.

(Interestingly the quality seems to be of a fairly good standard, but I have done a complete retune of everything recently so perhaps that has something to do with it. By all means if you come across a higher quality legal feed, a good *.FLAC for example, let us at MMP know!)


Round One EP -- Plastic VS Cosmic Iron (FLAC)

Don't let the bizarre title get in the way, download this fast paced, electronically experimental music from Ektoplazm.com

The track "Ultraviolet" is sure to get feet tapping, with it's throbbing bass lines and liquid almost polymerised, synth notes.

LEGAL DOWNLOADS FOLLOW>>>

Give it a good spank:

HOME: http://www.ektoplazm.com/free-music/plastic-vs-cosmic-iron-round-1-ep/ 

FLAC: http://www.ektoplazm.com/files/Plastic%20vs%20Cosmic%20Iron%20-%20Round%201%20EP%20-%202009%20-%20FLAC.zip

Mpeg Layer 3: http://www.ektoplazm.com/files/Plastic%20vs%20Cosmic%20Iron%20-%20Round%201%20EP%20-%202009%20-%20MP3.zip

WAV: http://www.ektoplazm.com/files/Plastic%20vs%20Cosmic%20Iron%20-%20Round%201%20EP%20-%202009%20-%20WAV.rar

8.0☆/10★

(I seriously doubt you'll have any issues with the quality of this rapid album as it's stored in multiple-file lossless FLAC file format, which is in turn placed inside a container file, in this case an *.zip and not an *.rar)

12/11/2009

Avalanches, The -- Frontier Psychiatrist

A most excellent song, if a little repetitive.

A must watch video too.. view it to find out why. 8-)

(I particularly love the drummer and the smile they offer whilst casually smashing those drum heads)

It's recently been used (two years back) in an advertisement for Seat cars, albeit a slightly cleaner sounding version and with some added reverb and warper effects.

Essentially it's the same thing, just in a different shell.

OR if you prefer it's the same shell with a different kernel.

Get your 'eds around that then!

Have a smash on it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgeKfzD5PlU

9.5☆/10★

(Don't forget to click HQ in the YT player! Whilst i'm not sure if it makes much difference in this particular sample it does seem to enable a fuller sound and possibly some very light signal processing in better quality videos.)

Bloody Beetroots, The (Featuring Steve Aoki) -- Warp 1.9

While this track contains much of the same slightly irritating poorly executed warper the piece in the middle (the "bridge") of the song with the harpsichord is rather good.

It's other saving grace is that the video is a little unusual.

Give it six of the best: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wKFpByU7DA

5.5☆/10★

(Feel free to skip the crap parts to the bridge of the song)

11/22/2009

Warren Zevon -- My Shit's Fucked Up

An epic masterpiece of a song, this is not suprisingly related to death and the aging process that strikes us all at one time or another.

Shortly after the album "Life'll Kill Ya" was released Zevon was sadly diagnosed with Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, that is usually related to micro-fibrous asbestos exposure.

And thus two years later, the world lost yet another wonderful musician. A shame, he might have been a yank, (born in Chicago) but I sure woulda liked to have bought him a drink in some scummy bar way off the main road and just chatted away.

Guess i'll never get the chance now. Doesn't mean his music shouldn't be celebrated by playing it loud and clear whilst singing along in your worst Zevon voice.

Here's the track, give it a good bash: (Play this one first) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-nquzsKpTQ

Live Version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHDdqubE7zQ

10☆/10★ (An honourable and very rare score here at MMP)

(If you find a better quality video on a reliable source be sure to let me know in the comments so I can update or augment the link given above. It's a fantastically simple and ingenius song and the world needs more real music such as this.)

Prodigy, The -- Ruff In The Jungle

Ruff In'a Jungawl. In'a jungawl, in'a jungawl, in'a jungawl, in'a, in'a jungle.......... RUFF! (SHOUT THIS AND REPEAT FROM START)

(Don't you feel better for having participated in some of "The Prodigy?")(Thought so! 8-) )

Whilst the lyrics aren't particularly complicated to remember, when played with high quality ferocious sound systems it is quite the energetic piece.

Give it a bonk (Not like that you sick fuckers!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be1C-VQphDU

8.0☆/10★

(I apologize for the muppets in the video, I was SOOO not in the mood to do a lot of searching for a mega-quality video feed. It's not like you couldn't look yourselves anyways, I always do the legwork around here and frankly it's getting tiring. haha)

11/20/2009

Paramore -- CrushCrushCrush

Hayley Williams' vocals really work to provide an unusual overall appeal to a medium-fast paced rockesque track, not suitable for moshing, but really easy to listen to.


Give it a whallop:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9fxk9HJQHY

7.0☆/10★

(Don't forget to click "HQ" in the youtube player.) I don't embed videos, because it wastes bandwidth, some users (such as myself) have embedding disabled and it looks rather ugly on my nice clean page.

Robert Miles -- Children

Used many, many, many times on the telly, in films and occasionally in a short interlude on the radio.

Hardly ever played for it's full length due to it's repetitive nature.

Previously an epic smash, but it is growing quieter on the music front with regards to Miles' "Children" now.

This is of course mostly a stock beat and used to impart it's energetic, yet mellow "flavour" these days, often remixed, there is also a popular dubstep remix of the song as well, i'll let you find that yourself. Head on over to video.google.com when you're done playing the video.

Give it a kerplunk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRCkAumK5b4

7.0☆/10★

(As always with our famous price promise here at MMP this was of course the best source located within a reasonable search period, eat that you low quality losers.)

11/07/2009

Cybernetika -- Finale

A legal version (at least I think it is!?!) of this track can be had on one of the many albums for download over at http://www.ektoplazm.com

I however will link to the video, as it's now tradition here at MMP.

While it may have an irritatingly long crunchy start, which isn't to my taste (I like some crunch every now and then though) it contains a plethora of somewhat delicious rhythms later in the track.

I invite you to try it out, it's 08:31 long, so take a leak before you start it, or pause it, pausing doesn't do amps and drivers any good however -- it's stressful for them, particularly with very high wattage or massive bass systems.

Give it a clout:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX7TdO6WFY8&fmt=18

8.5☆/10★

(As always, this is the best video source I could lay my grubby hands on)

11/05/2009

Disturbed -- Stricken

Well, a free legal version of this track is damn near impossible to find.

A powerful, angry song, if you own the album, be sure to upload a legal homemade video of the HQ track to youtube and for god sake sort the damn dubbing out. So us THE PEOPLE can benefit.

Then email me so I can modify the link, ta very much.

Give it a dunt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX3l2BLe_6g

7☆/10★

(I did my best for what of about three minutes of lightspeed searching.)

Miles Davis Quintet -- It Never Entered My Mind

Just bought this boxset of MDQ for my sis. This is the first track of the first album.

Nice slow and mellow.

Give it a try:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsb-lXec76w

8.5☆/10★

(When I tried it, it seemed to be taking somewhat forever to process the video data, doesn't sound too bad as youtube goes)

10/26/2009

Dream Theater...

A few more tracks for you to research.

I am not going to write much about any of them, as I am trying not to list too many from the same artist all at once.

I will give the info as to what album they were on though, so you can double check your metadata and/or ID3 tags.

A score and a URL will also be listed. Qualities will vary from track to track.

(Information is in the following format: TRACK, ALBUM, URL, SCORE)


All tracks by DT:

Give 'em a slap:


Hollow Years (Acoustic) -- Falling Into Infinity  -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUAJnBaXtwM -- 8.5☆/10★

Hell's Kitchen -- Falling Into Infinity -- (I lied partially about not adding comments, this one features some spectacular slow paced drumming) -- http://video.libero.it/app/play?id=cd82712b4341a100ddb26daa1581a52b -- 8.5
☆/10★

Learning To Live -- Images And Words -- (Listen out for the F# by James Labrie and for the ending which is one of the best endings of the genre.. ever) -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWwnTMOQ9HA -- 9.0
☆/10★

Answer Lies Within, The -- Octavarium -- (Listen out for the phenomenal vocals and "wonnaful" lyrics) -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfLd6dUS-8I -- (A very rare!) 10
☆/10★

I Walk Beside You -- Octavarium -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5bdxfPK46E -- 9
☆/10★

Panic Attack -- Octavarium -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7b_DaILYiQ -- 8.5
☆/10★

Fatal Tragedy -- Scenes From A Memory -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vq6NevcLOQ --
8.5☆/10★

Home -- Scenes From A Memory -- http://video.libero.it/app/play?id=729ba91b25ffe227997ff682e2ef5fc8 -- 
8.0☆/10★

Glass Prison, The -- Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h81PggfE8I (Live in Japan) -- 9
.0☆/10★

Ten Albums, Ten Minutes -- A chronological round up of DT's work, at least the first ten albums worth, who knows what else is hidden away?! -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdOH7MvlKn4 -- 8.0☆/10★

Dream Theater -- Root Of All Evil

An excellent offering again from DT.

The track in question is the first track on Octavarium, DT's eighth full-length album.

There were two versions to this song, both of which we're very common at one point, but these days it tends to lean more towards the cleaner version.

There are also many covers and affectionate playalongs of the song. Do your own research for those, they aren't hard to come by.

Things to listen out for: Excellent drumming, those very famous riffs which are so often covered.

Give it a slam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDaXODikOtg

7.5☆/10★

(As always quality was as high as I could source within a given amount of search time)

Dream Theater -- Hono(u)r Thy Father

A dark, angry and powerful piece this one.

The track is on the fantastic "Train Of Thought" album, for those collectors out there.

This offering from the legendary progressive metal band was written entirely by Mike Portnoy (the lyrics at any rate)

Directed towards and indeed about Mike Portnoy's stepfather "I'm not very good at writing love songs, so I thought I would write a HATE song!".

Things to listen out for: Hefty double bassing on the kick drums, excellent lyrics and visciously brilliant guitar playing.

Give it a dunt:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7165642350336364114&ei=BfnlSoioC5LiqgKWlMn4Dg&q=honor+thy+father

9☆/10★

(Apologies for the poor overall quality, a good quality track is damn near impossible to find either legally and/or on a reliable hosting site, this one is on the excellent and now sadly dead (no more uploads) video.google.com)

10/13/2009

Subra -- Enchanter Of The Dunes

A hefty dose of electronic, with a few REAL (probably 8-bit) chiptunes to be had in this track. Vintage hardware has it's uses. 8-)

Not to everybody's taste, but it's truly excellent for tuning a sound system whilst dialling in all the equaliser settings.

I believe you can obtain the album legally for free from Ekoplazm.com Don't quote me on that though, i'm not so sure it's legal, hence the youtube link instead of a cool for cats flac.

Whack with a sledgehammer, then repeat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6K2lwECJ2o

8.5☆/10★

(Video seems to be of a good quality, I expect that the file came from Ektoplazm, hence it's good tonal quality and high dynamic gain.)

Stratovarius (Again!) -- Stratosphere

This is the last Stratovarius post for a wee while, I couldn't have a 'Stratov section without Stratosphere!

Listen to find out why.

Tan this things hide:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhE4nPh45nc

8☆/10★

(Not much to say about this one, i'll let you form your own opinions. Video is a little bland as it's just the 'Stratov logo, but the sound quality isn't toooo shabby.)

Stratovarius -- Eagleheart

Eagleheart, a compelling track to listen to, telling a story of a young man.

Smash this up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2HhJkOsFus

7☆/10★

(Just listen, the lyrics are plenty clear enough to hear on a decent flac of the album, you may struggle with them in the video though, I didn't however. I think the video is a little bit camp for my taste.)

Stratovarius -- SOS

Another excellent riff from Stratovarius here, needs little explanation to a power metal fan.

This is on the Destiny album, set free in September '98.

(There is more electronica and such on the way, I just need to write these down, for the sake of my memory!)

Go baby go: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaXxOWR5K6Q

8.5☆/10★

(The video sound and visual quality isn't fabulous, but it's got some excellent photography and good overall style to it, well mixed I suppose the correct term is.)

Stratovarius -- Hunting High And Low

Another fine offering from Stratovarius.


Go kick it hard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-4Gm6VG4O0

7☆/10★

(The video is as always the best quality I could quickly source, apologies if it's not upto scratch, my equipment has a habit of making things sound better than they actually are. (Can't say I mind that!))

Stratovarius -- Black Diamond

Power metal at it's finest, this was released in 97, which isn't the typical era for power metal.

That happens to be the 80's, THE era for now-antiquated power metal. Speedy yet clear, not trashy.

There is phenomenal skill to be had in 80's power metal, though after a period of time, it does tend to sound samey, thus I will add only a few more Stratovarius tracks to the list today. Only the finest ones.


Give it a smack in the teeth:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNLdTfwx5ZQ

OR

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2087945255035927716&ei=DkLUSrDIMdHF-AbytM2jCg&q=black+diamond+stratovarius

8.5☆/10★

(Fantastic riff in the beginning, which isn't phased out and repeats softly for most of the track, with the occasional volume spike, but you wouldn't notice it unless you were told so.. whoops.)

Robert Plant -- 29 Palms

Perhaps not Plant's best known track, but a seriously easy going track none the less. Released back in '93 by Led Zeppelin's front man.

Robert "Percy" Plant was born in West Bromwich going a while back.. 1948.

During the 60's Plant did many jobs alongside his music career, one of which was laying tarmac on ol' Englands roads.

Tragically in July 1977 his oldest son "Karac" died at the age of five from a fatal stomach infection, worse still, Plant was touring with Led Zep in the 'states. This left "Percy" in great shock and he recluded for a fair time, mourning the loss of his eldest son.

Given time, young Karac's passing inspired Plant to write "All My Love" in tribute, which incidentally featured on Led Zep's last studio LP, "In Through the Out Door" which was let loose during '79.

Do some research and find it yourself. 8-)


For now, 29 Palms:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHRcKD8T17g

8.0☆/10★

(I used to play this track a lot, it's lost a little of it's appeal, but it still worms it's way into the playlist now and then. Video: MBR, GC, visual quality not so hot. I actually found the sound quality to be superior when not in HQ mode, but I am running different audio gear to the average listener.)

10/11/2009

Dire Straits -- Money For Nothing

"Money for nothing and chicks for free, we've got to move these refrigerators, we've got to move these colour tv's..."

It's a very high energy video containing flashing colours in a semi-neon hand-drawn overlay style.

The song has been noted as controversial on the grounds of containing supposedly sexist, racist and homophobic lyrics. You can blame Knopfler and Sting for this as they both share the credit for writing the track.

On a side note: Rolling Stone listed it *94 on the "greatest guitar song of all time" list.

Another plus for the video is that it contains then-groundbreaking computer animation where the polygon count enters the hundreds, dated by todays standards, but it's plenty clear enough to be visually appealing.

The animation was mastered and created by Ian Pearson and Gavin Blair utilizing a Bosch FGS-4000 CGI system.

Give it a crash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACGUasFWVsI

8.5☆/10★

(Things to watch for in the video: An enourmous drumkit, Knopfler doing a little leap off stage, perfectly timed with the beat and two other music videos.)

Dire Straits -- Brothers In Arms

A slow and calm rendition from the Dire Straits, and oldie, but a goldie.

Released before my time back in '85.

Opening with the line "These mist covered mountains..."

Which generally sets the pace for the wonderful solitude the track can bring, even at the most hectic of times.

Interestingly enough, Mark Knopfler (Vocals and lead guitar) was voted to be *27 on Rolling Stone's top 100 guitarists and is well known for his "fingerstyle" playing.

Give it a belt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5JkHBC5lDs

9.5☆/10★

(The video is of a medium quality and was originally presented in the charcoal drawing style.)

Mark Knopfler -- What It Is

Performed (lead guitar and vocals) by Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler, OBE.

Born: London, 1949.

Strangely for a slow track, it doesn't have a depressing theme to it which is good for a calm wind down without feeling crummy afterwards.

Give it a whack:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSdQ3Ze2VOM

9.5☆/10★

(I personally think the video to the song is pants, but the song itself is a marvel)

Free -- Wishing Well

A beaut of a track this one, endlessly playable.

Also from the same band: All Right Now...

(Baby it's all right now... Going round your head yet? hahaha)

Give this beasty a play:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKy_puDDnRk

7.5☆/10★

(Don't forget to click the HQ option on the flash vid-e-ho player.)

Shania Twain -- That Don't Impress Me Much

Another old track, perhaps 'Twains only playable track too.

Irritatingly catchy and it was also extremely popular back in the day.

Give it a smash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D30S-xaSNUQ

6☆/10★

(As always, it's the best quality source video I could find. With regards to dynamic gain, overall clarity, depth, lack of clipping and visual appearance.)

Shamen -- Ebeneezer Goode

Belter of a club classic this track, turn up the volume, boost the bass and get your epic high energy vibe on.

By Scottish group The Shamen, heavily remixed by Beatmasters and then released, it became quite a hit, but a very controversial one at that.

A song promoting the use (but warning against the ABuse) of ecstasy, genius.

Also containing references to dope smoking:

Vera-lynne -- skin (rollin' papers you idiots!)

"Got any salmon... salmon and trout -- snout ('baccy)


A timeless track that still stands up to modern abuse from all-powerful sound systems and wasted teens.

Give it a bash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ruu9EcZj8I

9.5☆/10★

(The video is the best quality one that I could find)

10/07/2009

Igor Kluin -- Like We Were Before

Slow and soft, with acoustical roundness.

Who'd have thought? A live singer who doesn't sound like a five year old girl singing into a hairbrush.

Give it a play, then play the next post in this blog, repeat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aZMGaqcGr4

(Sound could be better, but's it's a live recording afterall and I don't believe the camera's audio feed is tied into the post-mix/preamp.)

7☆/10★

Astrix -- Crystal Sequence

An exciting and fast-paced electronic soup this, sure to get feet tapping with the heavy underbeat, particularly if subwoofers are set a little on the dangerous side of safety.

A medium song, good for bulking up an archive and like most multi-synchronous music, excellent for exercising lazy driver units. Worth keeping, with some exciting speed, but is fairly middle-ground with electronic music, it won't blow your mind, but it'll get your feet and fingers going.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI_7G7L_ubw

6.5☆/10★

Blondie -- Denis

Last old song for a couple of posts, I promise.

It's an epic one too...

Wonderfully sung, light-hearted and with enough pace to get everybody singing along and possibly jumping if played at the right volume.

Give it a clonk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf3h8XmL2lE

7☆/10★

Blondie -- Maria

Most excellent song this one.

If you've never heard it there's a fair chance that you have bits of flesh in your head where your ear canal should be.

I know every word, now you can to so get learning!

Give it a bash, then one for your forehead:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NhdHh8Rtuc

10☆/10★

Sheryl Crow -- If It Makes You Happy

Yes, I know it's another old song, but there is far too much semi-manufactured stuff at the moment, cutting through it is like trying to slice granite with a pallette knife MADE of butter.

Whilst there is good stuff, it's just not as easy to catalog, easy to go with files I have onboard that I can refer to while doing this.

Sheryl's singing in this track lends itself to very nearly being a breakup song, a nicely loud, partly-angry song that's really easy to sing along to whether your good or bad at it.

"You can't spell gold without OLD."

Give it a play:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA-PcyACc40

(Apologies for the crappy dynamic gain in the video and lack of general "oomph" but I wanted the original video to illustrate that you can be a complete mong and still sell cds by the bakers dozen)

8.5☆/10★

Gabrielle -- Out Of Reach

Lovely track this one, maybe not entirely warming, but it's an emotional piece all the same and like much of Gabrielle's moo-sick it's easy to listen to.

Some Interesting facts about Gabrielle:

A: She (Louisa Gabrielle Bobb) is from Hackney, London.

B: Wears eyegear (including a cool-looking eyepatch) to cover a ptosis on one of her eyes (essentially a droopy eyelid). Most celebs cover their eyes to hide the drug use and to look cool (even though they don't look cool at all. Not naming any names.. BONO!)

Give it a bash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXQzj3dMwLE

9☆/10★

Gabrielle -- Sunshine

A pleasant track this one, very light-hearted and seriously easy listening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmpaWSz04aQ

(Sorry about the low gain on the video's soundtrack, NOT my fault however)

7☆/10★


Gabrielle -- Every Little Teardrop

Interesting track this one, a little condescending perhaps. Rather melancholy, but with a medium pace to balance it all out.

Fairly smooth to listen to either actively or just as background music...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoRUdar7XOo

6.5
/10

Begin...

Well, here goes nothing, i'm starting a purely music blog. With either tags to search for, (or other queries), links to file or links to videos.

Obviously i'll fish around to get the best clarity sources, but I can't change original files without hacking everything I connect to -- I just plain can't be arsed to rewrite everything on the web properly. 8-)