Band Props #3: Alice in Chains

Alright then. Alice in Chains. I dunno what it is but for some reason I just can't get enough. Alice in Chains is a rather stereotypical 90's rock grunge band. Sometimes they lack energy, but there is always feeling to their songs. They have had several hits including Man in the Box and Sea of Sorrow. However, they suffered from inactivity through the late 90's due to substance abuse by their lead singer which eventually led to his death in 2002. But even after changing lead singers in 2005, the band has not lost its power. Their recent new album Black Gives Way to Blue with their hit single Check my Brain has put them back on top. Let's hope this success is long-term.

Rock God #2: Jimmy Page

Alright. Jimmy Page. In case any of you don't know, he's the amazing legendary guitarist from Led Zeppelin. My personal favorite is his smashing performance in Black Dog, but his solo in Stairway to Heaven is what made him the unforgettable monster of guitar he is known as now. Now that I have all the good out of the way, I would like to tell you about a little arguement I had with a friend a few weeks ago. My last post was about big boss Eddie Van Halen, and I said that that post would be connected to this one. Well apparently my friend (he will remain unnamed for his own sake, because only someone looking for death would blaspheme like this) thinks that Jimmy Page is undoubtedly a better guitarist that Eddie! Now I'm not saying Jimmy isn't a good guitarist; he's a legend and rightfully so. But when you compare him to what I consider the second or third best guitarist of all time (you'll see my other favorites later), you have crossed a line few are stupid and brave enough to cross. While Page has a few memorable solos under his belt, nearly EVERY song Van Halen played had an amazing solo. And if you add in his full on solos like Spanish Fly and Eruption, there's really not much of a contest. Stairway to Heaven vs. Eruption. You decide.

Rock God #1: Eddie Van Halen

This is a very special post for a couple reasons. Rock God is going to be a new series reserved for the best of the best. If you've never heard of one of the rock gods i put here, you really need to listen to more music. Also, this post has been inspired by a friend of mine who I got into an argument with. This post is connected with my next post (which may or may not be posted shortly after this one). So anyway back to Eddie. Van Halen (the band) is known around the world, and is definitely in the lofty ranks of the legends of rock. Like the Stones and the Beatles, they will never be forgotten. But Van Halen (this time Eddie) as an individual is something else. Eddie has transformed what it is to play the guitar. He has got to be one of the greatest guitar players of all time, and he has inspired so many modern guitarists that he and his followers could be a genre all their own. While the band has had many hits such as pretty woman and jump, Eddie himself has published several guitar solos with a following all their own, such as cathedral, spanish fly, or eruption, which is considered one of the greatest guitar solos of all time. I'm convinced that Eddie Van Halen will be remembered for all time as a Rock God.

Band Props #2: Muse

Sorry about the wait; it's been about two weeks. Well what can I say about Muse, other than the fact that they ROCK OUT LOUD! I really can't think of anything bad to say about them, honestly. Some people think that Muse has a weird psychedelic, almost outer-spacey sound to their music, but I think that it just adds to their appeal. They really know how to rock out loud, and their lead singer Matt Bellamy has a fantastic voice. Black Holes and Revelations is possibly the best album I've ever heard, with hits from Supermassive Black Hole and Assassin to possibly one of their greatest hits of all time, Knights of Cydonia. Their new album, the Resistance (seen here), is also not short on rockalicious sound. Their new single Uprising will leave you rocking in your seat. Well that's all for now, I have nothing more to say about Muse other than to tell all of you out there to go listen to some of their delicious music. Enjoy!

Band Props #1: Weezer

Today's band props go to Weezer. Basically band props means that I love this band, though it's not all gonna be sunshine and rainbows. Weezer's been around for a little while, from their Blue Album in '94, to their brand new album titled Raditude. More on Raditude later. Weezer has a unique alternative/punk rock feel, although their music is constantly changing. They have had many major smash hits, from Hash Pipe, to Beverly Hills, to Island in the Sun, to Pork & Beans, to their brand new single (If You Are Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To. Weezer's style of music focuses on their lead singer, Rivers Cuomo, but that in essence is also their downfall. No matter how hard they try to rock, their lack of focus on their guitar player often leaves the band as a whole sounding rather poppy.

Opening Day

Hi I'm Sean Brown, and this is my blog. I'm a freshman at Delaware Valley college and I decided to create a blog where I can share what I know about music. I may evaluate a band I like (or don't), I may lay out a song I wrote myself, or I may just say whatever the hell I want, whether it's music related or not, and you'll have to listen to every magnificent word that leaves my keyboard, now won't you?