The Datsuns - Outta Sight, Outta Mind

If I had a quarter for every time a band released a great rock and roll album in the last decade I would have... well, not too much. Just lunch money and a Snicker's bar worth. The Datsuns' Outta Sight, Outta Mind is one of those records... But no one "professionally" seems to think so...

Outta Sight, Outta Mind is The Datsuns' second album, and it was produced by John Paul Jones. Does that name sound familiar? The bassist of the legendary band, Led Zeppelin! These guys were thrown at people bearing the titles like "the future of rock and roll" and I'll be damned if that wasn't true. Well, at least it was at the time... their new album Headstunts is bad beyond belief.

The album is not something to listen to while you do your daily chores or take a shower. This is one of those "balls out rock and roll" albums that you blast when you're feeling dangerous and rebellious. To me, it's what a rock and roll band should sound like, and they sound like rock and roll. The album is very reminiscent of the 70's, I mean... it was produced by one of Led Zeppelin's band members, it should sound the way it does.

Now here's my beef with some of the reviews Outta Sight, Outta Mind got... What the fuck is wrong with it!? It's been given great accolades and it's been approved highly by rock and roll lovers (such as myself) but it's been given such low ratings by sites and magazines like Spin, Splendid, and The Guardian. These sites are claiming the record sounds too much like a "generic and forgettable rock band from the seventies." Come on people, they have a great sound and they achieve to give a rock and roller a sense of a high. So what if it sounds like a band from the seventies? Bands have similar sounds, it's common, if bands didn't sound like some other bands we wouldn't have "genres" and Pandora radio would not exist. At least they don't duplicate the sound, The Datsuns' make it their own sound and style, not like early Silverchair, and Bush trying to sound like Nirvana.

Outta Sight, Outta Mind... Great album, I recommend it to those who love rock and roll and are looking for something new to listen to.

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What do I like about this album?

Well, I think I've basically said what I like about the album above, but I'll repeat myself. It's an awesome balls out rock and roll album. If it doesn't make you want to move or do something dangerous then you need to tune your ears because you're not hearing what everybody else is hearing. It is perfect rock music. Underrated by critics, loved by fans of good rock music. Outta Sight, Outta Mind should be on everyone's list of "music I need to listen to." I can't stress it enough... It's amazing.

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Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare

There's a reason why the Arctic Monkey's Favourite Worst Nightmare shot straight to number 1 in England's top 20 charts in it's first week of release. It's that damn good.

Favourite Worst Nightmare is loud, fast and eccentric with a touch of ambient solitude. It differs from their first album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (which holds a record for fastest selling debut record in the UK), by a few different things. The style of the Monkey's is still the same, not too different except maybe it sounds a little more polished. The previous record sounded very indie and "light" in a way and this one sounds very mainstream, very heavy.

The album is critically acclaimed (most giving an average of B+, A- ranges) and has gone platinum a couple times over.

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Why do I like this album?

I like this album because it flows so beautifully. It starts out fast and progressively gets more relaxing as you listen. Right from the start "Brianstorm" kicks in with blazing speed from Matt Helder's drumming and Alex Turner's guitar. It ends with a very ambient "505" and in my opinion is a nice way to end an album.

I also really love Alex Turner's flowing singing style in faster songs like "This House Is A Circus" and "D Is For Dangerous", very rap influenced and reminiscent of the first album's songs like "From The Ritz To The Rubble" and "Still Take You Home."

All in all, it's an amazing album that will have you wanting more and more every time you listen to it! Too bad they kind of fucked up that "wanting more" feeling with their next album, Humbug. Bah Humbug!

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Nirvana - Nevermind

In 1991, grunge band Nirvana would release a record that would change the world. Fashion changed, television changed, radio changed. Everything changed.

Nevermind was Nirvana's second record and first record on a major label DGC (Geffen.) Kurt Cobain wanted to release a record that was different from the first one and different from the music of the Seattle grunge scene (bands like Mudhoney, Tad, early Soundgarden.) Nirvana and the record company expected low record sales but were surprised by the huge outcome of their release. It beat Michael Jackson's Dangerous for #1 on the billboard 200.

Nevermind has sold over 26 million copies worldwide and is responsible for bringing alternative rock to the mainstream. (Cobain later regrets this because people they hated (Jocks, macho rednecks, etc.) are now listening to the album and showing up at shows just for a "release.")
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Why do I like this album?

What's not to like? It's an amazing album! Every single song is great, there are no "throw away songs" in this record. Fast angry songs like "Territorial Pissings" and "Stay Away" is what makes Nirvana great. It's their sound, the grungy yell that's familiar and recognizable. Nirvana also wrote slower ones like "Something In The Way" and proves that Nirvana isn't JUST a loud rock band and is influenced by good music like The Beatles. Overall, I think this is a perfect example of an album.
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The Vines - Highly Evolved

The Vines. Christened by the media as one of "The" bands that brought back rock and roll to the mainstream. The Australian garage rock trio (later a quartet) released their first album Highly Evolved in 2002 (during this time the musical movement was "Garage Rock Revival.")

Highly Evolved was a success and spread like wildfire.

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Why do I like this album?

I like this album because it combines a lot of music that I like into one album. The Vines were influenced by Nirvana and The Beatles, two of my favorite bands. Songs like "Get Free" and "Highly Evolved" play the role of Nirvana, and songs like "Autumn Shade" and "1969" take a more psychedelic Beatles role.

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1. Highly Evolved
2. Autumn Shade
3. Outtathaway!
4. Sunshinin'
5. Homesick
6. Get Free
7. Country Yard
8. Factory
9. In The Jungle
10. Mary Jane
11. Ain't No Room
12. 1969
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The First of Many

Hey! My name is Virgilio (try saying that 5 times fast) and I'm a guy who loves rock music. I play guitar and sing in my band Blackout. This blog will be showing the world what I think is great music/videos/anything I find interesting. I hope you'll enjoy! :D