Category: Hard Rock

Best Aerosmith Song

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Best Aerosmith Song?                                                       

Well, it is a little late in the game but you can still cast a vote for the finale.

“Dream On” is facing “Sweet Emotion” for title of best Aerosmith song.

Dream On is obviously Aerosmith’s pinnacle epic type song and is a great tune with great lyrics and Joe Perry’s signature guitar licks. Sweet Emotion is one of their best rockin’ tunes. Again with great lyrics, guitar riffs and solos.

One could argue their most Iconic song is Walk This Way.  Everything about this song is stand out. It is a seriously groovin’ rock song. Joey Kramer’s opening drum riff is as recognizable as any drum line ever and the guitar riff occupies a spot as one of the greatest of all time. Steven Tyler was rapping before rapping was rapping…leading to their triumphant resurgence in the 80’s when the boys from Boston teamed up with Run DMC to remake their 70’s classic.

Although there are lots of great songs to choose from their late 80’s to modern day output I think the best Aerosmith song has to come from the 70’s when they were changing the world.

Dream On        Sweet Emotions       Walk This Way

If you have any other thoughts leave me a comment and make sure you go to their site and vote for your all time favorite.

Michael Schenker Said No to the Rolling Stones, Ozzy, Aerosmith…

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Here is one for the category..”I never knew”

I have always heard that Michael Schenker turned down a stint with Ozzy Osbourne but it appears there were several other suitors who he gave the cold shoulder, as well.

Michael Schenker

I have been a Michael Schenker fan for 30 years plus. He has been one of my biggest influences.

Michael is one of those elite guitarists like Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Stevie Ray Vaughan etc. Axemen of different styles that absolutely command their guitars. Guitarists that are known for spending incredible amounts of hours developing their craft to the point where every note displays their musical bidding.

Michael Schenker is very much a man on path. He is a man who has had to face many demons including substance abuse. One thing that you have to admire is that he has always seemed to know his path or perhaps where is path shouldn’t lie.

For that reason he has turned down some of the worlds biggest bands such as the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake and I am sure countless others that have sought his 6 string, Flying V services. Of Ozzy and the Rolling Stones I have heard him say he would be dead if he joined their ranks. Amazing insights from a man who has seemed to have troubles controlling his life the way he does his guitar.

Obviously he chose wisely. Schenker has been tirelessly recording and touring the world over the years. He has a huge cult following around the world from fans who have known him as a founding member of the Scorpions, bringing the band UFO to new heights and as a solo artist.

Click here to hear/see one of Michael Schenker’s great instrumental compositions, “Into the Arena”

Joe Satriani, “The Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing”

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This has always been one of my favorite Satriani songs. It has a super cool groove as you might guess from the title but also a lot of complex shredding and interesting compositional things going on, as well.

‘Shredding’-wise, he displays all kinds of guitar pyrotechnics. If you check out the video you will see/hear melodies with flying up the neck harmonics, acrobatic hammer-on arpeggios, right hand tapping and he even makes use of his right hand as a capo while his left hand is pulling and hammering arpeggios.

Compositionally, it is a great tune, as well. There is a simple groove which the song is based upon and interesting and well articulated melodies. The groove is at times interrupted with the aforementioned arpeggios. Satriani interjects some foreign sounds too using the harmonic minor scale that changes the bluesy riff into more of an Egyptian heavy metal soundscape. The highpoint of the composition comes towards the end when he overlaps two different arpeggio sections over each other creating the song’s climax.
Unfortunately, live he can’t quite duplicate this overlapping.

I included the link to the studio version, as well, which better represents all aspects discussed. However, I thought it would be more interesting to see everything going on live.

Listen for some of these items. Actively listening to music can make you aware of things you might’ve never heard before.

Here is the studio version. Listen for the overlapping arpeggios sections at 4:25.

Have a great weekend, Enjoy!

New Rush Song, “Headlong Flight”

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Just heard the first track off Rush’s soon to be released album. The track is “Headlong Flight” the album due June 12 is called “Clockwork Angels”

The sound is GREAT! The band sounds refreshed, revitalized, real good and ready to go!!

Nice to hear such a heavy aggressive song from our friends north of the border. Even as a huge fan I was pleasantly surprised how good this track sounded.

~Looks like the song has been taken down from the previously posted site try this link to Rolling Stone Magazine.~

Let me know what you think.

Worst AC/DC Album??

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Alright, I am new to the whole blogging thing and all its protocols etc. So I have to be upfront that I am basically hijacking this topic from a fellow blogger. Who you should check out! http://everyrecordtellsastory.com/ I like his stuff!

Anyway his topic was basically regarding what is the worst AC/DC album of all time. I am revising the premise a bit because I think most people I know and certainly my thoughts are everything after “For Those About to Rock” although there are some gems is a huge jump the shark for the Aussies.ACDC Album Cover Art Poster

So give it to me! What you got? Write your thoughts down below.

I’ll save my answer til after a few replies.

Just a disclaimer. I am a huge AC/DC fan just curious which of their earlier releases does not stack up in other fans minds.

All apologies to “Every Record Tells A  Story” If I stepped on any toes! Love to have you weigh in as well!

Cheers!