Songs & Albums of the Moment

My ten most listened to songs over the week (alphabetically ordered by band name):

* Porcupine Tree - "The Start of Something Beautiful"
* Porcupine Tree - "Open Car"
* Porcupine Tree - "Mellotron Scratch"
* Rush - "Distant Early Warning"
* Rush - "Mission"
* Rush - "Prime Mover"
* Rush - "Double Agent"
* Rush - "Nobody's Hero"
* Tom Cochrane - "Paper Tigers"
* Tom Cochrane - "Will of the Gun"

My five most listened albums over the week (alphabetically ordered by band name):

* Porcupine Tree - "Deadwing" (2005)
* Rush - "Counterparts" (1993)
* Rush - "A Show of Hands" (1988)
* Rush - "Hold Your Fire" (1987)
* Tom Cochrane - "Ragged Ass Road" (1995)

Best Live Recordings

Finding a band which is good in the studio ain't that a hard task, but finding a band which has the ability, desire and talent to pull of a truly great live performance is a far more daunting task.

In fact, I like to believe that a great band is one who can perform just as well, if not better than a studio album in a live concert situation. It really helps define a reputation for a band; it creates standing stone if you will.

A great live performance must bring some sort of magical ambiance to the sound of the band and their respective songs. They should slightly differ performance to performance; perhaps benefiting slightly reworked guitar solo, or a different vocal performance with the possibility of reworked lyrics. That in my humble opinion is what defines a live performance. But of course, what is also largely important in any live recording is the sound quality and thus is very important in securing all musical notes at an equal volume while retaining a degree of clarity. And last, but certainly not least, the concert they were recorded in - open, closed, length, width and etc all make the difference.

Anyhoo, now that I've given a brief explanation of the my expectations, it's time to talk about a variety of live recordings from my personal favourite bands:

U2 - "Rattle & Hum"

R&H stands out as one of the finest live recording from the Irish rock band that is U2 and features a number of excellent performances and even a few new songs unheard on previous studio albums. Good sound quality too.

Loreena McKennitt - "Nights from the Alhambra"

A recently released album, "Nights from the Alhambra", is one of the great live recordings of all time. Not only because the performance is fantastic - better than the studio albums - but because the sound quality is beyond compare. Mind you, such a music style is ultimately easier to record in terms of clarity when compared to such a band like Rush or U2 which obviously belt out loud rock.

The Fixx - "React"

Unfortunately, I think "React" is one of the weaker live albums from my many favourite musicians. The vocal performance is great as Cy Curin insists on signing various songs in a different cue and while the actual instrument performances are no less impressive, a number of the songs on this record seem to lack the intensity I expect. Song such as "Stand or Fall" are brilliantly recorded and performed, but songs such as "One Thing Leads to Another" are kind of half arsed. Nevertheless, for a hardcore Fixx fan, it's most definitely an album worth owning.

Rush - "A Show of Hands"; "All the World's A Stage"; "Rush in Rio", "R30", "Grace Under Pressure Tour"; "Exit Stage Left" and "Different Stages".

Oh boy, where should I start? Well, with six different recordings to choose from, I suppose I can start by choosing a favourite. That's easier said the done though. Honestly, the first deciding factor will be what era of Rush you most prefer; after all, these recordings cover the '70's, '80's, 90's and '00's.

But you know, one problem which a great deal of live recordings from Rush have always had is weak sound quality. As a result, many of their recordings have a phased out sound where the vocals remain percise, but the drums, guitars (bass, acoustic and electric) as well as synthesizers are faded out. It leaves the recordings - despite the excellent performance - lacking intensity; almost if you're listening to the music with a pair of ear plugs. That's not to say they all have that problem though, 1984's GUP Tour soundtrack remains as the only '80's recording to not suffer from faded out instruments. Although, whilst it has a lots of intensity and great performance, the sound quality is pretty jaded when you crank it up. You can hear the speakers blaring and crackling. It doesn't ruin the entire CD, but if it were better, you'd have perfection. But then again, you can't blame 'em for something recorded in the mid '80's (lack of technology and what-not).

ASOH, ESL, ALTWAS are yet again victims of somewhat crummy recording devices. Suffice to say, the later in time one searches for live recordings the better the quality becomes and thus is the why the best live Rush recordings are the most recent three - recorded through out '94, '97, '02, and '04.

The R30 recording is, in all definition, biblical. It's clean, crisp and great, yet it's still not my favourite. "Rush in Rio" is arguably greater still as it's louder while boasting what is perhaps an even better performance. Thing is though, the sound quality is pretty choppy in certain areas. And Additionally, Geddy's vocals suffer the same fate as in areas they are almost non existent.

With that all being said, we are left with "Different Stages". And make no mistake, DS is a fantastic recording. It is worth taking note of the world class performance and superb recording quality. It truly is amazing that such clarity (and quality) has been extracted from such a music style. It's all clear - drums, bass, guitars (both electric and acoustic). And I do think that has much do with the stadium that much of the disk was recorded in: Chicago's Amphitheatre. While the third disk, recorded in '78, is quite crummy, the other two (largely recorded in '97, but with a few songs picked from the '94 "Counterparts" tour) are just perfection. All of the songs have their own magical touch and sound to them - especially "Closer to the Heart".

Is it's the best live recording I've ever heard? Close, but not quite.

It's not the immediate winner because of this...

Tom Cochrane & Red Rider - "The Symphony Sessions"

Recorded on March 17th & 18th of 1989 in the Edmonton, Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, the SS is most probably the best live recording I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. You see, this concert wasn't recorded in a typical fashion of aiming to recreate the studio albums, but add a new degree of allure to the songs. Thus was achieved by teaming up with the "Edmonton Symphony Orchestra" to add an almost classical tone to their already great songs. And as a result, much of the synthesizers found on the original recordings were replaced with the Symphony's violins and what-not.

It really does add a magical and classical tone to their music. I reckon they sound even better here than they do on the studio albums and that my friends, is the magic of live performances. "Different Stages" is undoubtedly amazing, easily one of the best live performances I've ever heard, but the SS extracted magic I had quite simply not heard from Mr. Cochrane and his band. Songs such as "Avenue A", performed mostly unplugged, approach a new level of greatness. It doesn't just sound like an unplugged song, it sounds like a masterpiece; both the guitar notes and Cochrane's vocals bounce around the Jubilee like nothing else. And then you've got such excellent performances from "Lunatic Fringe" and "Can't Turn Back", the latter of which is un-earthly. Rather the usual 3 and half minutes, Tom and Ken (Greer) extend the song to a massive 9+ minutes and load it both bass and guitar solo's. Take my word for it, It's absolutely amazing.

Everything about this recording is perfect - performance, sound quality (recorded by $10,000 German speakers), Cochrane's vocals as well as the numerous back up vocals, etc. As to this day, it remains my favourite live recording.

Weekend Video's (#16)

Pink Floyd - 'Comfortably Numb' (1979)



Tom Cochrane - 'I Wish You Well' (1995)



Alanis Morissette - 'Thank You' (1998)

"Mad Mad World" Review

It's not often that I end up reviewing an album which was released fifteen years ago, but I feel compelled to write a review expressing my affection for Tom Cochrane's 1991 album: "Mad Mad World".

This was and still is one of Tom Cochrane's most influential albums. It remains in the Canadian music history book not only for it's super song composition (both musically and lyrically) but because it was the album in which Cochrane broke away from "Red Rider".

By the time the late 80's arrived "Tom Cochrane and Red Rider" were already known as a staple among Canadian rock music. The group originally formed in Toronto had already been given numerous Juno awards and had even garnished a few successful radio hits (hits such as "Lunatic Fringe" and "Boy Inside The Man"). Actually, the self titled album (which arrived in '86), "Tom Cochrane & Red Rider" (thier 6th album I believe) proved as they're most popular and well known album to date.

However, in '88 the group had readily released yet another album and this time they surprised themselves once again. The album titled "Victory Day", was easily their biggest album to date and even managed to make it onto the Billboard Top 100 (although at a peaky 64th). This powerful and exciting album had such hits as "Victory Day", "Big League" and the politically charged "Calling America". All in all "Victory Day" was an amazing album - which makes it all even more surprising when you find out '88 is the year which Tom Cochrane & Red Rider disbanded.

Although when the band seperated it wasn't under extreme rocky circumstances (unlike some), but apparently more at a casual disagreement at where the band's muscial direction should go. For "Mad Mad World", Cochrane had the concept of creating a more gritty, more realistic feeling album dealing with the journey of life.

As a result, "Tom Cochrane and Red Rider" split up and thank God they did. Don't get me wrong, I love "Red Rider", but this solo album is something which could not have been done with them.

Now having seperated from "Red Rider", Tom was faced with the tough task of assembling a new band. Thankfully "Red Riders" bass guitar player (Spider Sinneave) stayed to offer his talents to Tom. Other than that, he leaned upon many new names, but still managed to garnish the help familar faces. Such as his wife, Kathy Cochrane (for backing vocals) and lastly fellow Canadian rocker Kim Mitchell (lead guitar on "Brave & Crazy").

The stage was set, but the end result was uncertain. For starters, Cochrane had to have a song which would serve it's purpose as radio friendly (IE. A single). What was born was one of Canada's most well known rock hits, "Life is A Highway".

Tidbit - It was originally written with the lyrics "Love is a highway".

This fantastic song proved to be Tom's biggest hit he had ever written and composed. This song hit unknown success for Cochrane when it it hit 6th place on the Billboard Singles Top 100 chart.

"Life Is A Highway"




The video by the way, was shot in Drumheller Alberta =)

Mind you, as fantastic and catchy "Life is A Highway" was, it was far from the best song on the album. Meanwhile Cochrane's other "single" release, "No Regrets" was received highly well earning 28th place on the Billboard Top 100 singles chart. "Sinking Like A Sunset" also quickly became a radio friendly hit and a fan favourite.

"No Regrets"



Mind you, the further you dug into "Mad Mad World" the more delicious and addictive it became. While with "Red Rider" Cochrane had long given up the use of synthesizers and whatnot, MMW sported an aggression and tension which no previous album he had worked on featured. Previous "Red Rider" albums could had been labeled "rock", but MMW intelligently combined "rock", "folk" and "light rock" all into one amazing package. Tracks such as "Washed Away" and "Bigger Man" had both been crafted with the idea of an addictive chorus and aimed on the goal of being labeled with a "contemporary/Alternative rock" badge.

On other hand, songs such as the title song ("Mad Mad World"), "Get Back Up" and "Brave & Crazy" were far from contemporary rock - more hard rock, but without being "head banging". I imagine the influence for these three particular songs came from the "grunge" scene which as we know arrived in the '90's. Especially "Get Back Up" which focused on a person overdosing from drug use. With it's intelligent use of acoustic and electric guitars as well as powerful drums it's easily my favourite on this album. I'm surprised it hadn't occurred to me earlier, but MMW reminds me of Rush's "Snakes & Arrows" in more than a few ways.

"Brave & Crazy" as well as "Mad Mad World" focused on the world's problems. Topics including hypocrites, the faltering job market among many other such relevant topics.

Less heavy songs such as "The Secret is To Know When To Stop" and "Everything Comes Around" followed the tradition of contemporary/alternative rock and gave us the Tom Cochrane we all knew and loved.

All in all this album featured songs which were not only more accessible than previous works, but with better song composition. I'd go as far as saying it's not only the best album of 1991, but which Tom Cochrane has ever produced. It's encompasses all which I expect in this great Canadian musician and song writer.

On a side note of '90's Canadian rock albums: Rush also released an album in 1991 ("Roll The Bones"). God knows I'm a huge Rush fan, but you know what? "Mad Mad World" kicks "Roll The Bones" in the ass (in all ways). And even when compared to Rush's '93 release ("Counterparts") "Mad Mad World" stills remains strong.

It's as good as "it" gets - 10/10

Tidbit: Alex Lifeson (Rush guitarist) played the role of an guest guitarist on Cochrane's 1995 album, "Ragged Ass Road"

Weekend Video's (#3)

Weekly weekend video update!

The Fixx - Red Skies (1983)



Tom Cochrane - Life is A Highway (1991)



Big Country - In A Big Country (1983)

When Not Rushing?

Above: Canadian born, Tom Cochrane

Music? Is it not an escape from a tormented world, to a place where you cannot be bothered by anyone? It’s simply you and the music.

Actually, that’s dribble. While partly true is some people’s life, in mine it is simply a hobby. A big one at that, I consider music to be one of my greatest passions.

Now it’s obvious that Rush is my favourite band and as a result, they get the most playtime in my collection. Which I’m more than fine with, because with two and half decades of music to listen to, I never get tired of them. However, when those times arise when I must put Rush away, its bands like The Fixx, Tom Cochrane, English Beat and Dire Straits which fill my appetite.

I was born in the late 80’s and as a result you might think that I grew up on 90’s music. However, that’s not the case; I wasn't into Nirvana or Pearl Jam. By the time I started listening to music (can’t remember my age) I was pre-exposed to music from both the 70’s and 80’s. My dad had never lost grip of his favourite bands from those eras.

Anytime I went with a ride in my father’s car we listened to music from the 80’s. The particular bands which stand out were The Doors, Billy Idol & U2. Because of that, I loved Billy Idol (and still do today), but for the longest of time U2 was my favourite band.

You see, I grew up on both The Joshua Tree and Unforgettable Fire albums. While the Unforgettable Fire was a great album, The Joshua Tree was an amazing album! Timeless, entertaining and well written. Aside from the obvious hits (Where the Streets Have No Name, With or Without You & I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For) I very much enjoyed One Tree Hill and the powerful - Bullet The Blue Sky.

As 2002 approached my interest in music multiplied and I was introduced (by my dad of course) to bands such as The Police, English Beat, The Fixx & Tom Cochrane. The one thing all of these great bands shared in common is that they were at their peak in the 1980’s (more or less)

Therefore, it goes without saying that the 1980’s is my favourite decade of music. The whole electronic synthesizers and strange sounds might have been a turn off for some, but I loved it. Of course, that really depends on who has using this new age (at the time) instruments. Some bands made a complete hash of it and rather than implementing synthesizers into their music they quite simply replaced the guitars with them. The end result was a terrible squealing organ…

Thankfully there were bands which were able to mix those traits. Rush, was obviously one of them. They felt they had the utmost responsibility to keep their music original and stay modern, but not let the electronics destroy it. Therefore Lifeson’s guitar notes were not drowned out, neither was Peart’s drum kit (equipped with cowbells, gogo bells, an electronic xylophone and God knows what else). The integration was seamless and another band which did an excellent job with doing so, was The Fixx.

The Fixx did a fantastic job at adding synthesizers, but without destroying the rest of the music. On the subject of The Fixx, I should get it out of the way – they are my second favourite band.

I knew very little of them until I decided to pick up a greatest hits album based on the merit of “One Thing Leads to Another”. Amazing song to say the least, but the greatest hits album I purchased allowed me to further explore The Fixx’s music. How about Red Skies? What an amazing track – Cy Curin’s voice is so energetic. I can’t even explain the brilliance of this song, but if you like Red Skies and One Thing Leads to Another, check out: Deeper & Deeper, Less Cities - More Moving People, Sunshine in the Shade, Saved by Zero, Stand or Fall & Are We Ourselves.

It should be mentioned, while there were certain bands working to combine the new age pop technology with their style, there was a certain band who took complete advantage of it and developed a new style: The Thompson Twins. While the career of the TT was short, they did manage to squeeze two amazing hits out: Doctor Doctor & Hold Me Now. Both of which were amazing songs (and big hits!)

Both songs featured full out synthesizers with midi activated sounds, something similar to Rush, but magnified by ten.

So then, The Fixx are my filler when I’m not Rushing. Of course, simply leaving it at Rush and The Fixx would be improper because I love much of the music made in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

A complete list (I think..) of my favourite bands:

Rush, English Beat, Fine Young Cannibals, The Fixx, Tom Cochrane, Valdy, Dire Straits, U2, Gordon Lightfoot, Frozen Ghost, Thompson Twins, A-Ha, Yes, Pink Floyd, Men At Work, Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, Jethro Tull, Bob Dylan, Talking Heads, Paul Simon, Simon & Garfunkel, John Denver, The Eagles, R.E.M, General Public, The Police, America, Eric Clapton, Simple Minds, Neil Young, Elton John, The Who, Bread, Barenaked Ladies, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Tears for Fears, Moody Blues, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers & Crosby Stills Nash & Young.