Mixtape: The Break-Up Part 2

Well it happened again. A break-up. Which made me revisit the playlist I made last time. Man there were some great songs on there, that covered all the feelings I had. This time around it's a different situation, but it hasn't stopped me making a playlist of new break-up songs!

I was tempted to just list every Brand New song ever (which is my defacto sad soundtrack) but I decided to challenge myself instead.

1. Dangers - (Love Poem)

This album is just pure emotional angst, from the first lyrics to the very end. But there's a theme throughout the whole album, with just small samples that pop up between songs, which culminates right at the end. Sure, it's not a proper song, but it's a great way to start it.

It's so nice to wake up in the morning and not have to tell somebody you love them, when you don't love them anymore

2. Descendents - Everything Sux

Before songs about teenage angst were cool, the Descendents were writing about it. And when your heart is broken, it really does feel like everything sucks today.

My girlfriend's moving this morning
I don't think anything is gonna be okay today
Everything sucks todayGot up on the wrong side of life this morning
Nothing today is gonna go my way

3. Finch - Letters to You

A lot of break-up songs come from my youth. Like this, quite possibly the poppiest song Finch ever wrote (and their most mainstream successful, if memory serves me right). Later on, with their second album about the most random stuff (I think it was drug influenced) they would become one of my favourite bands. But with their first album, it was quite cliche heartbreak/emo.

I'm writing again these letters to you aren't much, I know
But i'm not sleeping and you're not here
The thought stops my heart
Do you notice i'm gone?
Where do you run to so far away?
I want you to know that I miss you, I miss you so

4. I Killed the Prom Queen - Say Goodbye

Yes. It's cheesy metalcore. But back in the day this was MY cheesy metalcore. I loved this album by I Killed the Prom Queen. Most of it was comparing love to death, as was the fashion back then. And this song helps you get some of the break-up related anger out.

So we say goodbye
Heartstrings severed just as quick
As they were discovered
I'll break my own fall, to keep you, picture perfect
Just don't wake me up now

5. Wilco - I am Trying to Break Your Heart

When it's time to get sad, quiet and reflective, what is better than the wavering quality of Jeff Tweedy's voice? His voice in this song just captures the raw edge of emotion that you sit on during a break-up.

I'd always thought that if I held you tightly
You'd always love me like you did back then
Then I fell asleep and the city kept blinking
What was I thinking when I let you back in?
I am trying to break your heart
But still I'd be lying if I said it wasn't easy

6. Bob Dylan - Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

Oh Dylan. Is there anything you can't sing about without making it beautiful? This song was him explaining why he left his girlfriend at the time. Right now, I'm imagining this song is exactly how she's feeling.

But I wish there was somethin' you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talking anyway
So don't think twice, it's all right.

7. My Chemical Romance - Honey, This Mirror Isn't Big Enough for the Both of Us

Where as Mr Dylan gave us a poetic side of being the dumper, Gerard Way is showing the chaotic break down of a break-up. This song was the first real track (not including the instrumental opener) from their first album. Like a lot of break-up songs, it comes from the teenage emo years of my life. I still love this album unashamedly.

And you can cry all you want to, I don't care how much
You'll invest yourself in me, we're not working out
And you can't touch my brother and you can't keep my friends
and we're not working out
This time I mean it, never mind the times I've seen it

8. The Walkmen - The Rat

Another song of the 2003-2005 period of my life. It was big for me. I moved back to Australia from the USA, leaving behind someone dear to me as well as everything I knew. This song was so different from everything else on their debut album, and it hit a nerve with me. I may have wept when I finally saw this song live last year.

You've got a nerve to be asking a favor
You've got a nerve to be calling my number
I'm sure we've been through this before
Can't you hear me, I'm beating on your wall?
Can't you see me, I'm pounding on your door?

9. Atreyu - Right Side of the Bed

Ahh. Far out. 2003 again. Kind of cheesy metalcore again with overtones of death. But it's just good.

I can see her now, Dancing around, her drink in hand.
All her baggage in tow, I just want to forget and let go of all the love the joy,
the pain. I took your guilt and placed it into me and now I kiss it goodbye.

10. Los Campesinos! - Romance is Boring

Not about a break-up per se, but more about the slow death of love that both of you seem to ignore until it gets to that fatal point.

You're pouting in your sleep, I'm waking still yawning
We're proving to each other that romance is boring
Sure there are things I could do if I was half prepared to
Prove to each other that romance is boring

11. Billy Talent - The Ex

I'm not at this point yet, but I imagine I'll be following the course of the lyrics in this song pretty closely.

Why would she put me through such torture,
I would have given my life for her,
She was the one that knocked me over,
Now I'm alone sitting on the corner

12. The Get Up Kids - Mass Pike

You want real sad emo? You get old school Get Up Kids. All of the emotions. Especially when someone does it with a montague of pictures of love.

I wonder when I wander home If I'll be fit to drink alone.
Sleep with my memories, Pictures, apologies.
For every minute yesterday, Regret reminds me anyway.
If I remember anything, I'll make mistakes again. 

13. Bomb the Music Industry! - I Don't Love You Anymore

This song has always won my award as the best fan-made video ever. It's been stuck in my head since seeing BTMI! in February and I haven't been able to stop singing it. I hope it didn't become a pre-cursor for everything. The Lost line also resembles me way too much. And a bit of ska in a mix tape is always good to cheer up the soul.

I don't love you anymore.
No this isn't some mistake.
For the past two months I've just been getting drunk
And watching Lost and then getting even drunker just so I can fall asleep.
Every second I'm with you I get an ache in my head
And I spin in my bed and again and again and again and again.

And all the money I spend is my money again
I'll understand what is said when I'm out with my friends.
And at the end of the night, baby I'm'a gon' drive 'em home.

And all the time that I waste repeating mistake
And the ridiculous taste and the look on my face.
I'm gonna take it back.
Baby I don't love you no more.

14. No Doubt - Don't Speak

It's well known that Gwen and the bass player who's name escapes me were dating before the release of this album. This song beautifully documents the break up.

You and me
We used to be together
Everyday together always
I really feel
That I'm losing my best friend
I can't believe
This could be the end 

15. New Found Glory - Hit or Miss

Pop-punk. Of all the genres I listen to, I don't think you'll find as many whiny sounding songs about love and regrets. New Found Glory is probably the best of them all.

Have I waited too long
Have I found that someone
Have I waited too long to see you

Maybe it's for the best
Maybe it's not for anything
It wouldn't be so bad to take this right from me

16. Rod Stewart - Maggie May

Time to move away from my teenage years and into the classics again. This song, as far as I can tell, is about the failed fling between a young male and his older, richer lover. It captures the moment when Rod is deciding to end it.

I know I keep you amused but I feel I'm being used
Oh maggie I couldnt have tried any more
You lured me away from home just to save you from being alone
You stole my heart and that's what really hurt

17. The Vandals - My Girlfriend's Dead

The worst part of any break-up is telling everyone about it. Having to explain why it happened. The Vandals had a novel solution: pretend she's dead.

I once had a girlfriend,
But then one day she dumped me and everywhere
I'd go people would ask me where she was.

I don't want to talk about her.
Someone always asks about her.
So I tell them all my girlfriend's dead.

18. The Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen In Love (With Some You Shouldn't've)?

Apparently heartache has been around for a long time. Even with the early punks in the 70s. 

I can't see much of a future
Unless we find out what's to blame
What a shame
And we won't be together much longer
Unless we realize that we are the same

Ever fallen in love with someone?
In love with someone
You shouldn't've fallen in love with

19. Arrows - Pour Me Into a Taxi

My friends have been getting depressed and emo to Arrows for years. I never understood why. I guess I first heard them when I was happy, through a friend that worked with the guitarist. But now even the tones of the guitar just make me weepy. The lyrics don't share the heartache when being read. Put it together as a narrative with the music and it just encompasses the whole feeling of the end of love.

There’s a photo by your bed of the two of us in Europe and it scares me to think of how many different men would’ve cast their eyes upon it on a Sunday morning. " When we sat on the curb outside my Sister’s house, did you really think I loved you?" "Are you that optimistic, or are you just that fucking naive?” you asked me.

 

One Sentence Album Reviews (#20)

Ahhh! So close to the end of my 2011 list. A few more CDs and I'm moving on to the 2012 collection.

Howling Bells - The Loudest Engine (2011): another indie album from the ex-pats with beautifully haunting female vocals 3.7/5

The Subways - Money and Celebrity (2011): a very up-beat pop/grunge/punk album, with a beat great for jogging. It's very fun 4.6/5

Blink 182 - Neighborhoods (2011): After realizing it's not immature-joke punk, it's an album that grows on you. Reminds me of Boxcar Racer 3.7/5

Tori Amos - Night Of Hunters (2011): A very orchestral, almost cinematic album full of Tori's beautiful voice 4.7/5

The Smith Street Band - No One Gets Lost Anymore (2011): a masterclass in writing hella-emotional and catchy sing-a-long folk-punk 4.5/5

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - ST (2011): Surprising album that shows why he is a great songwriter. he's still got it 4.8/5

The Jezabels - Prisoner (2011): Obviously schooled in the Nick Cave style, this has dark lyrical content & a sound of great 80s post-punk 4.4/5

New Found Glory - Radiosurgery (2011): at their age can they still make pop-punk songs about teenage stuff? The answer: yes 3.8/5

Into It. Over It. - Proper (2011): Another one of those pop-punk albums that sound similar. Just can't get into it, I'm kind of over it 2.9/5

Tom Waits - Bad As Me (2011): Tom's most pop album yet? He still throws in so many random instruments and sounds though 4.5/5

Raein - Sulla Linea D'orizzonte Tra Questa Mia Vita e Quella Di Tutti (2011): Italian (real)screamo band's free album reminds me of how good scramz can be sometimes, without being extreme 3.8/5

No Anchor - Real Pain Supernova (2011): Imagine the bass from Fugazi being doubled up (2 basses!), lengthened and made into sludge metal 4/5

Bridge and Tunnel - Rebuilding Year (2011): it borders between orgcore and post-hardcore, but fuck genres, it's a rad punk album 4/5

Tony Sly - Sad Bear (2011): As far as former punks doing alt-country-folk goes, this is not that good. 2.5/5

Bush - The Sea Of Memories (2011): There's glimpses of their former past in there, but I still blame Gwen Stefani for making Gavin too happy 2.6/5

Samiam - Trips (2011): a good punk rock album that makes me think "this is what I want Alkaline Trio to always sound like" 4/5

Kasabian - Velociraptor (2011): Their stoner-indie-rock has lost a lot of its electronic edge to have a very brit-rock (even Beatles) sound 4/5

VA - (Ahk-toong Bay-bi) Covered (2011): Great covers by amazing artists celebrating U2's classic album. This is 100x better than the original 4.6/5

Florence + the Machine - Ceremonials (2011): Bringing opera and soul music to the indie hipsters since 2007, now to the pop-music world 3.5/5

VA - Come As You Are: A 20th Anniversary Tribute to Nirvana's 'Nevermind' (2011): My favourite tribute so far, includes a quirky mewithoutYou cover 4.5/5

The Black Keys - El Camino (2011): hard to believe it's 2 guys making such a sonically rich album; finally taking blues-roots mainstream 4.8/5

Snow Patrol - Fallen Empires (2011): the ultimate Greys Anatomy soundtrack now channels the Postal Service with more electronica 2.8/5

Los Campesinos! - Hello Sadness (2011): Lyrically dark & depressing twee-pop that makes you lonely and happy at the same time 4/5

 

Johnny Foreigner - Vs Everything (2011): punkier, less produced Los Campesinos! I listened to the 2 back-to-back and didn't notice a change 3.8/5

The Dear Hunter - The Color Spectrum (Complete) (2011): Epical prog-indie journey representing all colours. Misses sometimes, overall good 4.3/5

H2O - Don't Forget Your Roots (2011): A cover album of classic hardcore/punk songs, made kind of soft and pop-punky by H2O. 3.6/5

Spank Rock - Everything Is Boring And Everyone Is A Fucking Liar (2011): Okay beats under some less thank okay rapping 3/5

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - The Magic Of Youth (2011): Who said ska is dead? Not these guys. They've still got it 4.5/5

Guthrie - ST (2011): my dad, the old blues loving soul that he is, loves the dirty modern blues of this album. So do I 4.4/5

Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto (2011): Every Coldplay album is radio pop, with one song I really love. This album breaks that mold. Not one good song 2.4/5

VA-ZZ Top:A Tribute From Friends(2011):Some good covers, even Coheed sounding 80's rock. But it has Nickelback ruining my fav song: Legs 3/5

 

Pangea - Living Dummy (2011): a garage rock record that sounds like it was lost from the 60's 3.8/5

Pianos Become The Teeth - The Lack Long After (2011): soundds like a dirtier/more falsetto Touche Amore. Very similar styles 3.5/5

Chuck's teen years: the tour

If you were ever a passenger in my car in my teenage years, especially in summer, you would've listened to one of three albums: Taking Back Sunday's Tell All Your Friends, New Found Glory's Sticks and Stones and Bouncing Souls How I Spent My Summer Vacation.

The other day a tour was announced featuring all but Bouncing Souls. The little 16 year old in front of me jumped for joy. In fact, as I type this, I'm wearing my Taking Back Sunday shirt I bought at a show in Chicago circa 2002.

(I came way too close to getting lyrics from that song tattooed on me when I was about 18)

Sure, their first albums hold a special place in my heart, but over the last decade both of the bands have put out such strong and quality albums. If you want to relive your teen years with me, come to the Tivoli on April 5, but only if you're over 18.

Review: 7 gigs in 11 days.

11 Days of Awesome.
6 gigs.
1 festival.
31 bands.
2 cities.

It all started almost a fortnight ago, on a warm Brisbane afternoon. Me and a few mates visited the Step Inn to see a little flood benefit show featuring the Mercy Beat, Trash Talk, H2O and The Bronx. You can read about it here.

The next day I braved the scorching Brisbane sun to go to one of the best music festivals I’ve ever attended: Soundwave. You can also read my review of that one here.

After a day of rest and recuperation, I decided to switch to the much icier climate of Melbourne. Wrapped up in more clothes than I’ve ever worn before in my life, warmed by a few drinks and Chinese food with friends, I ventured into Billboard the Venue to see some great punk bands play to a lacklustre Victorian crowd.

When I walked into the surprisingly tiny venue, Less than Jake had just taken to the stage and was trying their hardest to get the crowd moving. Of course, being me, I skanked it up and danced like a fool; singing along the entire time and thrusting my fist repeatedly into the air, apparently annoying some of the locals. They stuck to songs everyone knows best, hitting up the classics, mainly from Hello Rockview as always. However, they threw in two quick songs from their new EP: themes from Animaniacs and Spongebob Squarepants. It wasn’t quite enough to get everyone moving, but at least some of the crowd was warming up on this chilly night.

Of course, they were probably saving themselves for the main event, New Found Glory. Who as always, were solid live. They mixed up their set list quite well, playing songs from all their albums. The crowd was pretty into it finally. But of course, they all lost it with their final song of the day, My Friends Over You.

A day of shopping, eating and resting passed before I headed into this quaint rooftop bar called the Toff in Town. About 3 stories up, in a room holding a few hundred people, I settled in to watch two bands from Brisbane open for one band from the UK.

For the third time this year, I saw To The North play. But for the first time this year, I was able to actually make out the vocals and hear that they are actually a good band. And this time I got pictures too.

Next up were another Brisbane band, one that a lot of my mates get obsessed over. I’ve even heard them be hailed as “the greatest Australian band” of the moment. Full of beautiful melodies, they played a great set of 90’s inspired emo-esque tunes. They captivated half of the audience, while the other half chattered loudly at the back of the small bar.


But the band we all came to see was the band that really didn’t seem to fit in on the entire Soundwave festival bill: This Town Needs Guns. In fact, they mentioned that they didn’t feel quite right at the festival so they had to play their louder and faster songs. So as a treat, all of us at the Toff saw many of the laid back, slower songs, mainly off their album Animals. Mixing fast, yet clean, math-rock guitars with some gorgeous singing, they were truly an amazing band to behold. The band members looked very awkward on stage, with some very stiff dancing moves, but all up they were everything I had hoped for. I think seeing them at the Soundwave festival itself would have ruined their allure, so I was glad to see them play a small and intimate show.


The next day I trekked out to St Kilda for what was the main reason for this trip: Primus and the Melvins. The Palais Theatre, right on the water next to Luna Park, has to be one of the strangest venues I have ever been to. Walking in and seeing the beautiful old theatre facade, I couldn’t help but think that this was the perfect place to see Primus (especially after last seeing them in the gorgeous environs of the Riviera Theatre in Chicago). But coming in, I sat down on these magnificently large leather seats (designed for the “larger” theatre goer) with ample leg room and in the 4th row of the balcony. It was comfort to an extreme level. We were warned that we weren’t allowed to stand up, but it did not matter, it was too damn comfy to get up.

I came in as the Melvins were starting, and wow. Opening the theatre doors my face was just blown off with a mighty wall of sound. In the centre of the stage were two drummers, just pushing out all-encompassing levels of noise. On either side were the guitarist and bassist, dressed in what I could best describe as characters-from-Zelda-64 crossed with monks in space. Yes, there was even a space kilt.

But that didn’t matter. The Melvins are an amazing live band. Despite the venue, despite the crazy level of noise they were making, they still managed to play a tight set of grunge/heavy rock music. Sitting up in the balcony I could see everyone down the bottom nodding their heads in time to the music. Occasionally someone would get up to try and go crazy and dance along, but the ushers soon had the better of them. The only downside to all of this was the vibrations from the music came through my seat, and in my extreme comfort I almost drifted off a few times. It was definitely not the music’s fault, just the vibrations and leather seats.

To close it off, the drummers got up on their seats and everyone came together for a capella version of a classic 50’s song, Goodnight Sweetheart. During all of this the bass player was tossing out flowers into the crowd, following it at the end with the entire vase.

I wish I could see them again, I can’t say enough how amazing they were.

A quick turnaround and 20 minutes later Les was coming on to the stage. After the shortened Brisbane set, I found myself disappointed yet again. When they finished I said to Kim, “that was a real short set, I wish they had played longer.” In the end, it actually turned out they had played for over an hour and forty minutes. That’s how good this Primus set was.

They played all manner of Primus songs, but somehow managed to steer clear of anything of the Anti-pop album. To this day I’ve yet to see a song from the album that got me into them, but the rest of the set made up for it. Throughout the classic songs with the great crowd sing-along’s there was even two new songs: the song about Salmon he played in Brisbane and another one I had yet to hear. I’m not going to lie, they both sound like typical Primus songs, so you know the new album is going to be amazing.

The set included an extended version of Sailing the Seas of Cheese, the only song Les played on his upright (which meant no Mr Krinkle, damn). He also whipped out the whamola for a while, dancing and playing a frenetic pace like the mad-man he is. He got into it so much that he actually dropped it a lot while dancing around. Jay and Ler also got their fair share of solos (Ler looking like he’d just been pulled out of an early 90’s Nirvana music video), showing the great depth of talent and skill that everyone in Primus possesses.

Towards the end, Les challenged the audience to stand up against the ushers as he launched into everyone’s favourite song: Tommy the Cat. Unfortunately the ushers won (no contest) but we were still treated to a version that also included the long bass solo that is Awakening.

If you can’t tell, I’m a Primus tragic. And the whole night at the Palais was magical.

A few days later, a few drinks later and a short flight back to Brisbane later, I was fronting up to the Tivoli to see the classic hipster band, Belle and Sebastian. B and I walked in to the sweet sounds of Little Scout, and I almost swooned after seeing who was singing. Gorgeous! They played some absolutely beautiful songs but as always, the classic Brisbane indie crowd was talking over them. B also enjoyed them too, but I think that was mainly because they were selling Tea Towels.

Luckily the crowd shut up a bit for Belle and Sebastian, except for the group of drunken idiots right in front of us who kept leaving for the bar every 10 minutes. But that didn’t matter. Belle and Sebastian were everything I had hoped for and more. We got two hours of classic indie tunes. Even though many people think their best work was in the 90s, the songs from their new album Write About Love translated amazingly well live.

Through the course of the night you could tell that there were a few core artists and a plethora of musicians supporting them. All up through the course of the night there were 14 different performers in Belle and Sebastian, including a local boy on trumpet for two songs. There was a string section, keyboards, drums, everyone switching guitars, recorders and strange little toy instruments. And it worked so magically together with sound levels that were never too loud. Highlights for the night for me included them playing Sukie in the Graveyard and Stars of Track and Field. They even took requests from the crowd, and as such busted out an impromptu Monkees cover.

The lead singer, for an aging hipster, was also quite the entertainer. At one stage he decided to be a punk and climb up to the second level balcony of the Tivoli, climb over the rails and keep singing. Two hours wasn’t nearly enough, but it was still just as I had imagined it would be.

Then finally, after slogging through some long days in the office, I got to the last gig of my 11 days of awesome. I came in to a rather small crowd listening to the Gun Street Girls. They played a great mix of classic rock ‘n’ roll, pub rock and a little bit of rockabilly thrown in. Towards the end of their short set they really picked up the notch though, blasting out some fast rock numbers that I really enjoyed.

Later on someone mentioned that the lead singer/guitarist was from Dallas Crane. Which I guess would make sense given his sound. As they wrapped up the crowd really poured in, coming close to filling the Zoo. And once the Hold Steady came out, you could see why.

They were really some unassuming looking rock stars, except for the guitarist with tattoos. They just looked like some middle-aged guys that stumbled on stage. As the singer said “I’m not old, I’m old school!” But as the music started, well, I was blown away. I’ve always been surprised about how the Hold Steady aren’t one of the biggest bands in music. Their song writing is amazing with each song telling a story to some great rock music. The live show was just frenetic. The lead singer danced, screamed and even acted out his lyrics, adding a whole new element to the songs. And he was such fun to photograph. Check out my Flickr in a few days time, I’ll upload a bunch of shots of him just having a good time.


And have a good time they did. They played a full set over two hours. And when finished, they came out and played 10 minutes past their finishing time. They seemed to be having as much fun as we did. There were old school rockers crowd surfing, huge sing-alongs, great crowd clapping moments and just a lot of dancing. Everyone loved it.

It was the perfect way to rock up an amazing week of bands. And now that I’m done with this review, I’m going to bed to try and recuperate.