Monday Music Monkey Review

Hello my bitches, today I will be reviewing the awesomeness that is Metallica. Now I like their old stuff better than their new stuff so I am reviewing what I think was one of their most definitive albums - '...And Justice For All'. I was fortunate enough to see them in concert for the tour of this album and it was fucking unreal. The album starts with the song 'Blackened' opens with a monster riff right from the get go it is a ripper of a track. We then move onto the title track 'And Justice For All' coming in at a whopping 9:44 it is a really long track, but it is so hard and heavy and with lyrics like this "Hammer of justice crushes you, overpower . . ." it is hard to deny the raw power of this song of injustice. The next track 'Eye of The Beholder' opens with a very military sound, from the heavy riff to the drum beat, it is a killer song and one of the best on the album.The next song 'One' I have a soft spot for and rate it as one of the best songs ever, period. It starts so slow and builds up into a crescendo of thrash metal guitars and the drums from lars are first class, that is what makes this song something truly extraordinary. The song is a lament about a limbless soldier who steps on a landmine, and it is a master class in metal.  We then move onto 'The Shortest Straw' is a powerhouse of guitar riffs and frenetic drumming that gives this song a real thrash metal sound and those riffs are unbelievable! 'Harvester of Sorrow' is the next track and it starts off slowly with a grinding guitar and smashing drums and then the vocals kick you in the head! 'The Frayed Ends Of Sanity' is just pure headbanging bliss. The we move onto 'To Live is To Die' an instrumental and tribute to Cliff Burton their previous bass guitarist who died. Sad, melancholy and brilliant it rates right up there with `Pulling Teeth', `Orion' and `The Call Of Ktutlu' and I take my hat off to any band that sticks to their principals and plays all 9:48 seconds, fuck what the record companies say and honestly it works, just metal brilliance.  The last track is 'Dyers Eve' a piece of thrash metal to leave you emotionally raw, the relentless guitar, the driving drums is a fitting way to end a classic Metallica album, that introduced everyone to the power of thrash metal. This alum is an absolute fucking ride and I am giving it 5 shots of whiskey out of 5.  This is one of Metallica's greatest albums and accomplishments a true heavy metal experience when they were still raw and full of fight, power, guts and glory which ios what makes this album so incredible. Now go out and get this album to add to your collection. Peace Out my bitches!

Monday Music Monkey Review

Hello my bitches, another weekend, another pounding for my liver yeah!! I got onto the spiced rum this weekend, it's the perfect drink for the colder months, anyway, I was listening to the one and only Bruce Springsteen and his killer album - Born In The USA.

This album is the bomb, from a singer at the height of his powers, full on working class, wrong side of the tracks it has everything a good honest rock album should have. We start with the title track 'Born in the USA' with it's massive guitar and killer lyrics that is pure musical genius It's angry and disgusted at being treated so badly after fighting for his country, the whole injustice of it all just makes this song one of the greatest songs of all time.. 

Then he slows it down with a ballad 'Cover Me' again although it's a slow song, it is just so gritty and so real and has a desperation about that moves you. Then we move onto 'Darlington County' another great song so too is 'Working on The Highway' which has a real uptempo beat and intelligent lyrics - masterful song. 

We then move onto one of my personal favourites 'Downbound Train' a lament about life falling apart, but it's the singing that just draws you in and you can't help but feel the pain. We move onto 'I'm on Fire', man what a killer song so soulful, quiet and hauntingly beautiful. 'No Surrender' is another classic, such a cool song. The next track 'Bobby Jean' is a a real mix, emotional lyrics yet the music is so up-beat, man, only a master can pull off something like this. 

The next song 'I'm Going Down' is just an awesome song, this is followed up by his massive hit 'Glory Days' what a song, full of lament for hopes and dreams that get crushed, pure awesome! Then the song that put him on the map 'Dancing In The Dark' upbeat, pop sounding song teamed with great music and lyrics an absolute killer of a song. The last song is 'My Hometown' which has the great lyrics - 
Last night me and Kate we laid in bed
Talking about getting out
Packing up our bags maybe heading south
I'm thirty-five we got a boy of our own now
Last night I sat him up behind the wheel
And said son take a good look around
This is your hometown

what an awesome song about the hopelessness and economic despair that hovers over so many of our hometowns - even today which makes this song truly remarkable! But at the heart of this song it is one of perseverance and hope which is an amazing combination. All up I give this album 5 shots of whiskey out of 5, so do yourself a favour and add this to your collection today.
Till next week, Peace out my bitches!!!

Monday Music Monkey Review

Hey, what's up my bitches! Before I go on yes I know that I am posting on a Tuesday, but it was a public holiday in OZ and I was recovering from a liver - pounding weekend! 

Now I actually shot some pool (yes I am an awesome pool playa!) and I actually listened to an album I have not heard in a long time - The Cure.

I forgot just how Fucking Awesome they are and yes, any guy that gets arrested for wearing fishnets and a mini skirt to the local shops deserves RESPECT! Let's get into it, shall we?

The album is called The Cure Galore and it's a retrospective of hit singles from 1987 - 1997. The first song 'Why Can't I be You' is a fucking ripper and yes I know all you bitches want to be me. The next songs 'Catch' and 'Just Like Heaven' are really infectious pop songs. we move onto to 'Hot,Hot,Hot' is Ok, not the best version of this song.

Then we move onto in my opinion their greatest song ever 'Lullaby' I absolutely love this song it is eerie, gothic and surreal but such a cool fucking song! Then it's onto 'Fascination Street' it is one of the best tracks on the album. We then move on to the hauntingly beautiful 'Lovesong' a melancholic but ultimately upbeat song, very cool and very The Cure.

Then we move onto 'Pictures of You' one of the best songs on the album, definitely a highlight. Next is 'Never Enough' which is more of a rock feel then the original track, but still way cool. The next song is quite possibly one of the Cure's most amazing hits ever 'Close to Me' this version is seriously smooth, and loses some of that pop feel it had.

'High' is a good song with an awesome beat. We then move onto 'Friday I'm in Love' which is a radio favourite and one of the Cure's most famous songs, sung like only the Cure can sing! 'A Letter to Elise' is a great love song with a cool bass and drum feel.'The 13th' is a bit more experimental with horns and latino beats but it works and why not!

'Mint Car' and ' Strange Attraction' are both OK songs, not the best but it's still the Cure. Moving on to the next song 'Gone!' it's a bit jazzy and we move onto the
final track 'Wrong Number' which is awesome. It is a new track and it is the cure doing what they do best a great mix of techno and rock, a kick ass way to finish a great album.

All up I am giving it 4 and a half shots of Whiskey out of 5, seriously do yourself a favour and go get this album into your collection TODAY! 

And until next week - 

Peace Out My Bitches!!!

Monday Music Monkey Review

I am feeling like pig shit. I feel like I have the fucking bird flu at the moment, probably from all the chickens that redi keeps, thanks bitch!, anyway I have been listening to Linkin Park’s album “Minutes to Midnight” it is an album so full of the energetic punk/rock/funk/whatever that these guys have become so revered for. Perfect when I feel like this and just want to say fuck off to the world! I must say it is awesome, they seem to go from strength to strength without losing any of their ‘Hybrid Theory’ roots. This album smacks of so many good songs from the opening track “Wake”. The way the intro starts off, lulls you into a false sense of security then smacks you in the head with full on heavy guitar and lyrics that make you want to bash someone’s head to a pulp. It’s hard to pick a favourite, but I have - “What I’ve Done” is nothing short of musical genius and you know that no one does intro’s to songs as well as Linkin Park, they are fuckin’ pure musical geniuses. Oh, what can I say about the album?  Fan-Fucking-Tastic! I highly recommend this CD. I give it 4 and a half shots of whiskey out of 5. Man, I, Herbie the Music Monkey am still head banging away to this album. Sorry it's short and sweet this week, I shall feel better next week. Peace out my bitches

Monday Music Monkey Review

Today I am reviewing one of my guilty pleasures. As a major music lover I absolutely love this show. It is one of the most original shows on television, yes that’s right it’s not another fucking cop/hospital/legal show. Thank fuck! It’s as if the last twenty years of television the producers are as weak as piss and try to feed us the same old shit repackaged to sound brand new (ie Grey’s Anatomy - General Hospital seriously what’s the fucking difference!) Anyway back to the album. I am a big fan of the show so I decided to get the soundtrack, I must admit I felt like shit buying it especially the look from the sales assistant, smug bitch!). The album starts with the song ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ and it is an awesome start. Then it’s ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling’ which is cool and this is followed by ‘Gold Digger’ and I must say I love this version of the song better than Kanye West’s version. I am not a big fan of Kanye i just think he is the quintessential wanker, so far up his own ass I don’t know where he starts and his ass ends. ‘Take A Bow’ is cool but the next song ‘Bust Your Windows’ sung by Amber Riley (Mercedes Jones), really delivers the goods, this song is absolutely awesome, man I don’t know how someone so young can have so much talent but she does, it must be something that those African-American girls are born with. I mean their voices are so powerful that I an in shock and awe! The next song ‘Taking Chances’ performed by Lea Michele (Rachel in the show) is unreal and I expect big things from this girl, her cover of the song is amazing, She is a real talent! ‘Alone’ is one of the best songs on the album sung by Kristen Chenoweth (April) and Matthew Morrison (Will Schuester), it is a truly fantastic song and a stand out on this album. Then it’s ‘Maybe This Time’, ‘Somebody To Love’, ’Hate On Me’ & No Air’ all performed by members of the cast they are really good cover versions and give the originals a run for their money. Then it’s onto one of my favourite tracks ‘You Keep Me Hanging On’ sung by Dianna Argon (Quinn). I would seriously not keep this sexy little cheerleader hanging on why the fuck would you! I really love this song, I mean, I loved the original too (sung by the Supremes) which helps I guess. ‘Keep Holdin’ On’ is OK then it’s ‘Bust A Move’ sung by Matthew Morrison (Will Schuester), I loved this song when it was sung by Young MC with Flea from the Chilli Peppers on bass guitar and I love this version! Next is song by one of my favorite characters from the show Puck (Mark Salling), he reminds me so much of myself, filthy and flirty but the chicks just love it. The song is a cover of Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ and he just OWNS it! The last songs are not my favourites but I still like them ‘Dancing With Myself & ‘Defying Gravity’. All up the The Glee soundtrack is a collection of re-makes of fairly recent popular songs performed by a quite talented group of young singers. I doubt this album will appeal to those who don’t watch the show and as such I will be giving it 3 and a half shots of whisky out of five. I have all the albums by the way! I just thought I would go back to the beginning! Till next week, peace out my bitches!

Monday Music Monkey Review

Hello my bitches, Today I will be reviewing last years Australian 'The Voice' winners album. The one, the only Karise Eden and her album with hits from the show called 'My Journey'. Karise is a powerhouse of a singer who has such an amazing voice, which from this album you can see why she actually won the show. What a voice!  She is the Janis Joplin of our times. The starts with her first song (which was from her audition it's called 'It's a Man's World', man what a song, it is an absolute killer and her delivery is second to none, it's like she is channeling the late great James Brown, killer vocals, killer sound nothing more to say. Her next song is 'Back to Black' an Amy Winehouse song and I think she actually does a better job! We then move onto 'Nothing's Real But Love' and what an awesome song, she does it so much justice, her voice it sounds so emotional and you can actually feel all the power and emotion that the lyrics have, which is a credit to Karise Eden's abilities to move you. The next song is Landslide (from one of my favourite bands of all time Fleetwood Mac, now I am a harsh critic when it comes to Fleetwood Mac, but she just steps up and knocks out of the park. we then move onto 'Hallelujah' and what a song, her acoustic guitar, that voice, those lyrics a perfect example of why she won. The next song 'If I was your girl' is a Karise Eden original and man what a talent she has, it was written about her mother, it is a great song, it just a taste of what she can do for sure. The next songs are 'Stay With Me Baby' and " You Won't let Me'. Both songs are sheer vocal perfection, soulful, powerful and so emotional what a VOICE! The next songs, 'Hound Dog' and 'Dock of The Bay' only serve to highlight, this woman's amazing talent, the way she jams with the band in Hound Dog is amazing. We then move onto 'I'd Rather Go Blind' shows just how impressive her vocals are. The last song is a Janis Joplin track called 'Move Over' and well, she is the new Janis Joplin, what more can I say. This is a great debut album from an incredible singer whose vocal abilities are off the planet.I highly recommend this album and you should go out and buy it asap. I am giving it four and a half shots of whiskey out of five. I can't wait for her new album, please karise, release it NOW!Till next weekPeace out my bitches!

Monday Music Monkey Review

Hello my bitches. Today I will be reviewing the one and only Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. The giant of Hawaiian music. He is one of my all time favourite singers. I absolutely love his music and his singing and ukulele playing, he is the BOMB!
I will be reviewing his album 'IZ the man and his music in concert'. It is a collection of live songs but the audio clarity is amazing!

I can only pay tribute this man as he is an inspiration to me, both as a polynesian/maori and as someone, who suffers from leukaemia I have always found a soothing element to his music it really touches your soul, he was a giant of a man with the most heavenly voice and that is really the only way you can describe his voice.
The album starts with Ahi Wela/Twinkle Twinkle Little Star which has the most magical vocals and awesome ukulele playing such a beautiful song. The next song is E Ku'u Morning Dew again it is divine, it takes you to Hawaii but in the eyes of a native Hawaiian just amazing. The same could be said about the song Kamalani which is based on a love story, worth listening for the amazing voice of IZ. Then we move onto Kaleohano a slow majestic song sung with a fragile intensity that only Brudda IZ could sing.

We then move onto a more uptempo song Margarita and it is one of my favourites, it is such a happy song that you can't help but smile and it makes you want to get up and dance to the awesome music. The next is an introduction to IZ called "This Hawaiian Man" Intro it really sums up Brudda IZ and all that he stood for. The next is a Chant which to me is everything that the Hawaiians are about, their history, their culture and for those that don't know, chants were used to invoke the gods, nice to see that this rich history is still be kept alive, may it NEVER die. 

Then we move onto E Ala E which is another classic song about Hawaiian people and it will move you like it moved me. He sings it with such passion that you can't help but be moved by the plight of the native Hawaiians. The next song is such a light hearted and upbeat song called Hene Hene Kou 'Aka, which takes you to another place, as does the next song Lover of Mine beautiful, is all you can say.

We then move onto White Sandy Beach a song that takes you to Hawaii. Then we have 'Opae E a song a based on a traditional Hawaiian legend and the way IZ retells the story is magical. Then we have n Dis Life which is a darker song with the most haunting vocals and one of my all time favourite lyrics, which goes "n Dis Life I was loved by you". wow, just pure joy and magic. Maui Hawaiian Sup'pa Man what a song, I know that a friend of mine that published a book called the "Legends of Maui" check it out below , and I must say that it is one of my all time best song ever written, what more can I say. 

Hawai'i '78 is the best song on the album, the pain and suffering that the Hawaiian people of endured is all brought to life and you can get a sense of what makes them so special, although the message is sad, it is a song that is so full of hope for a better future for all Hawaiians. The last song is Hawai'i Aloha and it is such a beautiful way to end the album. 
Do yourself a favour and get this album and if you are like me, you will go out and buy all his albums. For you are truly getting to listen to a gift, a special man with a message to all and a voice that you can't get enough of, just get it!!!
Till next week Peace Out my bitches!

---

Penguin Group New Zealand, Limited, 21/07/2005 - Maori (New Zealand people)
He has the strength of a god, the cunning of a seasoned warrior and the determination of a superhero. he is Maui - legendary trickster, champion weapons-master and protector of the people. Legends of Maui is Jason Te Puia's first book depicting two well-known tales - Maui Slows the Sun and Maui Attacks Tuna Roa - in comic strip form.