Monday Music Monkey Review

Poison - Open Up and Say Ahh!

Hello my bitches apologies for last week. I was just having a week off and eating quite possibly the best food ever - whipped peanut butter and I think I overdosed on it. I have always been a fan of Pop-Metal, the over the top clothes, makeup, big hair and boots so it is that I will be reviewing the one and only Poison.
It was 25 years ago this album was released (1988) the cover was banned in many stores (see original cover art below) so a censored version was released (see above). It seems that it was a different world back then. To ban this cover, as it seems really quite tame by today's debauched standards.

The album kicks off with 'Love On The Rocks' and is an awesome bit of Rock 'n Roll with a healthy dose of swagger thrown in. I do love the a screaming guitar and C.C. DeVille does a great job on this track. the next track is 'Nothin' But A Good Time' is a ripper of a song, great beat, great guitar, just a real cool, fun song, almost an eighties anthem. I especially love the guitar solo from CC - kick-ass to hear a guitar solo, they are so rare these days.

We then move onto 'Back To The Rocking Horse' starts off with a cool driving drum beat. The lyrics are quite simple all about going back to simpler time, still a good song though. Again the guitar shines, another blistering solo, awesome.Next up is 'Good Love' which starts with drums and guitar, some cool singing by lead singer Bret Michaels. We then move onto the track 'Tearin' Down The Walls' which has a real hard rock feel to it. The riff is unreal and the way they scream the lyrics makes it a really cool song it has a real anthem feel about it.

The next track is 'Look But You Can't Touch' a song about trying to seduce a girl who plays hard to get. It is an awesome song that starts with another blistering guitar solo and I love the opening line "good girls go to heaven, bad girls go to hell". This is one of my favourite songs and it's like my theme song for all my lady friends because I ain't for keeps.I especially love the guitar squeals in this song. the next track is one of my favourites and is a bit of a classic 'Fallen Angel', a song about about a small-town girl whose dreams of show business include wanting a life in the fast lane, "rolling the dice of her life." This is a really cool song.

Then we move onto  the power ballad 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn', this was a number 1 hit for them. It is a lament or break-up ballad but it has such an emotional feel to it that makes this song sound as good now as it did in 1988, the true test of any song and this does stand the test of time. With lyrics like this "like the knife that cuts you/the wound heals, but the scar, that scar remains," A truly great rock ballad.

Then comes their cover of Loggins and Messina's "Your Mama Don't Dance," which is good old fashioned rock and roll from the 1970's. It is a good song, fun and they make it their own thanks largely to CC DeVilles awesome guitar playing. the last song on the album is 'Bad To Be Good' which is good song, love the guitar riff and the solos are unbelievable which makes this song a really cool finish to a great album.

Look as far as Pop-Metal albums go, this is unreal. I love the guitar solos and for that reason I am giving it 3 and a half shots of Whiskey out of five, well deserved and it sounds as good today as it did back in 1988.
Till next week
Peace out my bitches!
Herbie

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Original Cover Art

Whipped Peanut Butter

Monday Music Monkey Review

Imagine Dragons - Night Visions

Hello my bitches! I hope that you have had a great weekend, today i am reviewing a new album to my collection - Imagine Dragons and their debut album Night Visions, man what an album it is so full of stadium and dance floor anthems that it's hard to stop listening, so lets get into it shall we?

The album kicks off with the mega huge hit 'Radioactive' and what a song it is, full of this pulsating beat and vocals that compliment the beat it is a seriously cool song it has a cool post apocalypse vibe to it. The next song is 'Tip Toe' this song sounds pretty awesome on first listen then it just grows on you, which I love in a song, pretty soon it gets stuck in your head like some sort of musical infection and you find yourself singing it all the time.

'It's Time' is the next track and this would have to be the song of the year from it's mandolin start, to it's incredible vocals, I absolutely love this song!. 'Demons' is the next track and the focus on the vocals which dominate this track give the lyrics more potency, and unreal song very up lifting. the next track 'On Top of the World' 
is so cool, just an awesome fucking song, catchy, great music, great lyrics, this song makes you feel awesome, man what a song.

'Amsterdam' is the next song and it is a bit more subdued than the previous songs but it has a cool beat and the vocals Dan is one hell of a singer, sounds so old school. I love this track especially how it builds towards the end. the next track is 'Hear Me' with it's cool beat, awesome guitar and even better vocals is one hell of a great song. The next track 'Every Night' is a slower song, it's cool but not my favourite, but that's OK, it's just my opinion.

Then we move onto 'Bleeding Out' the lyrics are unreal, the vocals are outstanding, the beat is unreal, man this is a killer track and a stand out on the album, it's sounds so raw and powerful! Then we move onto 'Underdog' this song has a cool dance beat and sounds a bit more pop than the other tracks but it is still a really great song, the lyrics and beat make this song and who doesn't love an underdog?

The next song is 'Nothing Left to Say/Rocks' one of the darker songs on the album, but it is unbelievable, inspirational lyrics, eerie music, there is something so haunting about this song, which makes me love it even more. 'Working Man is Imagine Dragons at there best, the vocals, the music is so cool. I love this song it is another one that just grows on you, every time you listen to it.The last song is 'Fallen' and what a way to finish an awesome debut album.

I absolutely love this album and it has been on heavy rotation since I got it. I am giving this 5 shots of whiskey out of 5 that's how cool this album is and how cool Imagine Dragons are. Do yourself a favour and go and get this album NOW! You can check them out here;

http://www.imaginedragonsmusic.com/home

and until next week
Peace out my bitches

Monday Music Monkey Review

Lorde - Pure Heroine Hello my bitches! Today i will be reviewing one of the best things to happen in music for a long time, yes I have got my hands Lorde's new album "Pure Heroine" and it has been on 'Heavy Rotation' since i got, so let's get into it, shall we? The first track on the album is 'Tennis Court' which I mentioned in an earlier post is a great first song, with it's insanely addictive lyrics (similar to 'Royals'), it has some awesome synthesizer and great beat which make this an absolute gem of a song I especially love the lyrics "My head's filling up fast with wicked games/ How can I f**k with fun again when I'm known?" (and the "yeahs" will definately get stuck in your head).  The second song is '400 Lux' which is a seriously cool song especially the lyrics to this song like this example “We’re never done with killing time / Can I kill it with you? / Until its veins run red and blue” how cool is this chick? The next song is 'Royals' another that I reviewed earlier and I still don't get sick of it I still belt it out everytime I hear it. I love this song, it is so cool, so now and oh so new. The world needs this instead of the Miley Cyrus twerking crap that is infecting the world at the moment (give that shit a miss and buy this album instead). We then move onto 'Ribs' this song is a killer track with it's slow building intro then it's straight into some awesome lyrics and a beat that almost sounds like a heartbeat, this track is unreal!! One of my favourites on the album. The next song 'Buzzcut Season' is another cool track with a soft intro that goes onto form the perfect backdrop to her voice, great song.  The next track is 'Team' this song is another one of my favourites, cool beat, great vocals and even better lyrics especially my favourite line "I'm kinda over being told to throw my hands up in the air" that lyric kicks ass, how many songs tell you to throw your hands up in the air? That's what makes this song so cool, really intelligent lyrics. We then move onto "Glory and Gore" is a darker song on the album and it is so relevant to this day and age, well worth listening to over and over again.  We then move onto 'Still Sane' a song in which Lorde's vocals shine, just pure bliss to listen to on this track, another of my favourites. 'White Teeth Teens' has a more upbeat pop feel to it, but it's lyrics about never being a white teeth teen, you know those perfect teens that you just wanted to smash or in my case flick poo at, so seriously cool. The last song is 'A World Alone' which features one of the best lyrics “Baby, the Internet raised us / Or maybe people are jerks” so true and she delivers it in a way that only Lorde can. All up this album is a rock solid debut and is a killer of an album one that I highly recommend especially in this day and age of plastic pop stars and women singers who think that they can just strip off and somehow it will make their music so much cooler, when the reality is they should be more like Lorde, stand and deliver, good music doesn't need nudity, it doesn't need tricks. The lyrics and music will speak for itself. All up I give this a massive 5 and a half shots of whiskey out of 5. You can check out Lorde here https://www.facebook.com/lordemusic and do yourself a massive favour and buy her new album, Till next week Peace Out My Bitches!

Monday Music Monkey Review

Danny Ross - As The Crow Flies Hello my bitches, today I am reviewing the awesomeness that is Danny Ross. I got into this guy from the OZ version of the Voice, at first I was sceptical, but as the show went on, he just sort of clicked and you realised that he is more rock-n-roll than the pop shit out there. he lives and breathes music. So let's get into the review shall we? The first song is a classic Led Zep song called 'When the Levee Breaks' now it takes guts to sing a song that Robert Plant has sung, but Danny does it justice, real justice, so cool, so much swagga, I can't knock this classic. The next song is the Lenny Kravitz 'Are You Gonna Go My Way' he does this song justice. I had the privilege of seeing the Kravitz and his dreads live, I even got to shake his hand (maybe I should grow some dreads, for that serious street cred look!), awesome rendition of an awesome song. The next song has so much history for me as it was a song that my old man loved it's called 'All Along The Watchtower' my old man preferred the Hendrix version more than the Bob Dylan, but here Danny Ross does an unbelievable job and it is so cool. The next song is 'The Joker' made famous by the Steve Miller Band, his version is great, I am loving the songs he picked for the show, it's showed what a cool musician he is. Again this is another cool rendition, Danny sure has some major music cred. The next song is 'Old Man' by Neil Diamond and what a version he does, I actually like this version better! Then we move onto 'It's Time' by Imagine Dragon's this is such a great song that it will become a classic in years to come, and here Danny Ross shows that he has some serious balls and he sings this so well, you'd be forgiven thinking that he actually wrote this song, it suits him so well. The next track is 'Let Her Go' by Passenger 51 and he does so well playing guitar ( I like singers that can actually play an instrument, it means they are true musicians and not just karaoke like so many are on these shows. He does a cool version. Then we move onto his own song 'Windmill' which starts off slowly and it is a really awesome song, he has done so well, just beautiful it really has an awesome old school rock feel to it, almost in the same vein as Led Zepplin, that's how good it is.  The next song is 'Pockets' written by Ollie Sloan, it is a killer song one of the best on the album, the sparse arrangement makes the song and Danny's voice just so smooth and so cool. the next song is 'Sugarman' by Sixto Rodriguez what a seriously cool song, what an awesome version! The last song is 'Suzanne' by Leonard Cohen, what can I say Leonard Cohen is a god in the music world, and Danny Ross owns this song, what more can I say. All up this album is a ripper of a CD, so old school sixties/seventies rock updated for today. Danny Ross is a throwback to an era that I thought had died, it is an album that I am giving a massive 5 shots of whiskey out of 5, I highly recommend this album and I can't wait till Danny Ross releases an album of his originals if this is anything to go by it will be UNREAL! You can check out Danny Ross here www.facebook.com/dannyrossmusick Till next week  Peace out my bitches!

Monday Music Monkey Review

Augie March - One Crowded Hour EP Hello my bitches, today I will be reviewing an awesome album that I listened to on the weekend and that is Augie March with The One Crowded Hour EP. This album is an absolute gem and must have for your collection it starts off with the amazing track and title of the EP 'One Crowded Hour' man this song paints a picture, it's like poetry set to music. The song starts with a slow electric guitar and amazing singing that starts telling an amazing story, and with lyrics like this;  "But for one crowded hour, you were the only one in the room And I sailed around all those bumps in the night to your beacon in the gloom I thought I had found my golden September in the middle of that purple June But one crowded hour would lead to my wreck and ruin"What an amazing song writer that Glenn Richards, just a truly brilliant song that gets into your head and you end up playing it over and over again. The next song is 'There Is No Such Place (Acoustic Version)' which is another slow song, where the lyrics and acoustic guitar are a perfect combination, these guys sure know how to create a song, everything in this song belongs together, fits with each other and they should seriously teach other people how to actually write music and lyrics because they are that good and this song proves it again. We then move onto 'Passed Out In Clarkefield' a real soulful and slow song with a great drum intro that sets the tone of the whole song. The guitar is fantastic, this song is a standout on this EP , the vocals, the guitar, the drumbeat, this song is so beautiful, so catchy and oh so perfect. 'Asleep In Perfection' is the next track and again the vocals are amazing, the music so hauntingly beautiful, they are true musicians and that is what draws you in, they understand how to make music and this track is no exception, beautiful, deep and meaningful, I can't say anymore. The last track is 'Clockwork' a true acoustic masterclass from these guys, this song has such an emotional quality to it, that leaves you longing for more. The acoustic versions of their songs on this album, give their lyrics a great depth and deeper meaning than the standard versions, which is why I recommend this album. All up this masterclass of pure music genius and deserves, 5 shots of whiskey out of 5! I highly recommend this album to anyone who believes that songwriting is a dying artform, that music can still move you and to Augie March I say a massive "Thank You!" You can check out the band here https://www.facebook.com/augiemarch Till next week Peace Out My Bitches!

Monday Music Monkey Review

Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes  Hello my bitches I trust that you have had an awesome weekend, here in OZ we have had a long weekend, so I have been kicking back playing PS3 with Redi - we went old school and have been playing Tomb Raider. Anyway I was inspired to review the one and only Delta Goodrem, she is Redi's fucking idol on account of both getting cancer at the same time, both being in St Vincents hospital and he got to see her wax model at Madame Tussauds yesterday so I will be reviewing her first album Innocent Eyes. The album kicks off with the song 'Born To Try' it is a great song with really uplifting lyrics and Delta's voice shines it also has a really catchy hook that will get stuck in your head big time. The next song is 'Innocent Eyes' this is another ballad with some great piano from Ms Delta this song is autobiographical which makes it more heart-warming. I do love when singer/songwriters write about themselves and their lives because it gives the song heart and soul which is the best way to describe this song. Next is the killer track 'Not Me, Not I' this track starts off with a beautiful piano and  her amazing vocals and she powers through the song until it reaches a massive crescendo and her voice is the star of this track and what a voice it is. The next track is 'Throw It Away' this track is just Delta's amazing voice and an acoustic guitar cool song a little bit more pop - driven than the previous tracks. We then move onto 'Lost Without You' this song is so cool, a real darker and edgier side of Delta that is so cool, (everyone should embrace the dark side) the vocals are amazing and seem to soar on this song. The lyrics are so heartfelt and she conveys the pain with an emotional edge to her voice that makes this song a ripper. The next track is 'Predictable' another edgy song with a more rock sound, it is an awesome ballad with cool guitar and piano and her amazing voice.The next track 'Butterfly' is another awesome ballad, something that suits her voice so well, it soars on this track and the choir bit at the end is unreal. 'In My Own Time' is another hauntingly beautiful ballad that showcase Delta's incredible voice. 'My Big Mistake' has a great piano intro and great vocals but it isn't really and stand out, it does have a pop kind of vibe, it's Ok not my favourite though. 'This Is Not Me' follows on from the last song again it has great piano and her voice is unreal but it's seems rather boring, don't get me wrong it's a good song but I think when you compare it to other tracks on the album, it comes up short. 'Running Away'  brings us back to what we expect, a power-house of a song, upbeat - up tempo, awesome guitar and great vocals with an edge a great song. 'A Year Ago Today' is a lament for a friend who died, a great and powerful song, sad but oh so beautiful her vocals invoke so much emotion that it moves you to tears like only great singers can (no I didn't cry, this little monkey is one tough nut!). The next song 'Longer' has a more pop feel and it's Ok but seems a little heard it all before. the last song on the album is 'Will You Fall For Me'  is a stunning song about love and with just her and piano it seems so heartfelt and beautiful and a great end to a stunning debut album, all up I give this 5 shots of whiskey out of 5, This album is a must have for your collection. It's rare to get such an accomplished artist who sings and writes and lets the music talk not her image. Till next week Peace out my bitches! This is a picture of Delta's wax model that Redi had to be dragged away from a swear he was going to try and steal it! PS: I have decided to add the artist and album I am reviewing at the top, I hope you like it. You can check out delta here; http://www.deltagoodrem.com/

Monday Music Monkey Review

 

Hello my bitches today I will be reviewing an artist that I have only just stumbled on after watching the new Great Gatsby movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio. yes it's the one and only Lana Del Rey.
I am not familiar with her backstory or anything like that all I know is that her real name is Elizabeth Grant and frankly I really don't give a shit, for me it is and always has been about the music so let's get into shall we?

The album kicks off with the killer track 'Born To Die' it has am awesome strings start and a killer beat and here breathy vocals are cool.It also helps that she looks like a killer pin-up girl. I seriously love that look, it brings out my inner primate - no seriously, I know I have evolved but this girl makes me want to go ape on her, maybe because she has that real come fuck me look, but I digress.

The second track is "Off to the Races" a seriously cool song I especially love the lyrics "Swimming pool / Glimmering darling / White bikini off with my red nail polish." now you can see why I want to go ape on her ass. We then move onto the song "Blue Jeans" which features a great vocal performance a cool summer song for laid back lazing by the pool.

The next track is "Video Games" I love video games so I hoped that she did the title justice , now this makes me want to marry her, I mean I love chicks that play video games, this my favourite song on the album purely for her saying that she plays video games, so cool. Then we move onto "Diet Mountain Dew" a more upbeat song but seriously diet mountain dew, I love that filth but then they go and change the recipe so they can go and get fucked, back to the song it is really catchy so beware, especially the lyric  "Diet Mountain Dew baby New York City / Never was there ever a girl so pretty / Do you think we'll be in love forever?". It will get upside your head!

The next track is "National Anthem" a great song that has that awesome military style drum beat that makes me want to bash someone's head in, I go tribal when I hear that drum beat, a cool song! We then move onto "Dark Paradise" it's an OK song not my favourite. The track "Radio" is Lana Del Rey doing what she does best I love her voice on this song in fact I love this song. The next track is "Carmen"  has that string section start and is a slower song, cool but not my favourite.

"Million Dollar Man" is the next song and it is something that I aspire to be, imagine the bitches and parties I could have if I was a million dollar monkey, (someone please endorse me so I can write for money and not the fucking peanuts that Redi 25 gives me). An Ok song. Then it's onto "Summertime Sadness"  an absolute gem of a song I love it, so sad but so upbeat at the sametime, great vocals, great music, great lyrics a real standout on the album. The last song is "This Is What Makes Us Girls"  a great song to end on, she paints an awesome picture with her lyrics on this song, a great way to end a great album. 

All up I give this 4 shots of whiskey out of 5. I like her voice and her look, keep it up Lana Del Rey. If you want to check her out go here  http://www.lanadelrey.com/
Well that's it for this little monkey this week, till next week
Peace out my bitches!