Catching up...

So much happened since my last post that I don't know what to begin with! :P

Let's start with Plum Shark! We are currently putting the finishing touches on the artwork, and are aiming at a release for the end of January. In the meantime, the first single, Mr. Morganfield's Dream, has been put online at www.myspace.com/plumshark. We have not confirmed this yet, but plans are to put this one up as a free download, so that it ends up on most people's iPod!

We have also been rehearsing for concerts and even we keep demoing stuff for a 3rd album, so there will probably be a lot of things going on for Plum Shark in 2010!

Of course, I have toyed with some new gear this Fall! I put my hands on a Line 6 Delay Pedal, and I predict that this will play a major role in Plum Shark's 3rd album - this pedal offers so many different delay sounds that it sure will be useful in the studio. It is a charm to play with, yet the only downside is that it is a large piece of equipment! I'll probably have to get myself a second pedal board... :P

More recently, I just changed by converting gear and got a Lynx Aurora 8 AD/DA. I already recorded some acoustic guitars with the thing, and it makes a huge difference in my current rig! The sound is rich and detailed, and I now find new frequencies in the acoustic guitars that were not rendered at all with the Firepod I was using previously (... I know, it is a whole different ballgame).

I also had a chance to go to a few concerts this fall (Liam Finn, Mars Volta, Jean Leloup). At a chance to chat with Liam Finn before the concert - he is such a calm, low-profile guy when talking, but he just explodes and radiates on stage! And 16$ for such a great concert... what can I say.

As for the Mars Volta, they put on a great show. However, they are playing way to loud! I talked after the concert with their sound engineer, and he told me that the band was blasting over 105 dB without the PA! Holy shit! However, the quality of the sounds suffers... I also noticed that they were recording the show - their engineer told me that he doesn't know what Omar does with the tapes, but that they probably end up in a vault in his recording studio somewhere in Mexico...

Finally, I was lucky to witness my first Jean Leloup concert in a small venue in Quebec City, and let me tell you that this was a crazy concert, with people body surfing and the floor literally vibrating from people jumping all over. The guy is an amazing musician, and clearly does not give a damn about the business aspects - god bless him! You never know if he is going to be in a good mood and/or too fucked up to play but this time, he sure was happy and in a great shape.

Ok... so that is pretty much what happened recently. Again, a couple of interesting concerts coming up here in Montreal in the next three months: Guns n'Roses, Megadeth and Slayer, Wilco and Alice in Chains... That is going to be a hell of a winter! :P

Megadeth - Endgame

Yes, the album I was waiting for all Summer is finally here! This one was having me excited more than the new releases from Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains that both are coming up in the next two weeks...

After having listened to it for 4-5 times, I can definitely say that it delivers. More than that though - it just destroys. It ranks up there with Rust in Peace and Countdown to Extinction, as it has the sound of a classic album already - superb songwriting, killer guitar riffs (the like we had not heard from Mustaine since the early 90's), crazy guitar solos, incisive lyrics, this album has it all. Could this be the best metal album of the past 15 years? If not, it definitely ranks in the top 3. I ended up many times, throughout the album with a crazy grin on my face, just enjoying the power of the guitars, and actually wondering when was the last time I've heard such a good metal album and I've enjoyed a new record so much.

It starts with a fast an furious instrumental song, and doesn't let go for the next 45 minutes. Not that there is only fast thrash songs - the album is half mid-tempo melodic songs reminiscent of CTE, but the rest is classic Megadeth speed metal. There is no filler on that album also - all songs are excellent. However, I can already say that the title song, Endgame, stands out and will rank up there with 'In My Darkest Hour', 'Holy Wars' and 'Hangar 18' as a heavy metal classic.

Production-wise, the whole album is just crushing - we are facing a wall of sound that is clear but full. And the guitar tone is piercing, is fat and as so much balls, it might just be the best metal tone I've heard. And drums are also present and well defined. Definitely, having producer Andy Sneap around at Mustaine's home studio was the best thing that could possibly have happened for this record. Let's not forget the new guitarist, Chris Broderick, for the crazy guitar solos tha fill this album, and for the fact that he fits extremely well with Mustaine.

Granted, I am already sold, having followed Megadeth for the past 15 years, so I might not be neutral enough. Let's say that the 2 previous albums were a step in the good direction, as Megadeth was slowly getting back to what they do best. But with Endgame, Mustaine has surpassed himself, giving us a gem. And reviews all abound in the same direction:

Blabbermouth: 8.5/10.
Metal Hammer.
BW&BK: 10/10.

Definitely, with that record, Mustaine and his brain-child just re-established themselves as a relevant force in the metal realm - let's just hope that he keeps Megadeth alive, as he recently hinted at the fact that it might soon be the 'end of the road' to quote the title song...

Get the album in streaming here: http://www.myspace.com/megadeth !!!

And yes, as I thought, they will be in Canada this Fall. November 11th at the Bell Centre, with Slayer (which I've never seen live yet) ! This promises to be a great night, almost 10 years after seeing Megadeth for the first time (my first concert ever...).

Pearl Jam in Toronto and More...

Last few weeks were amazing music wise - here are a few highlights:

New AIC Song - A Looking View
Not that impressive - a bit too long. I think I was waiting for something better, even if it is still ok. Sounds like Cantrell solo. However, the other song that can be heard on youtube, Check My Brain, sounds amazing.


New Megadeth Song Excerpt - 1320
Crazy, crazy song. The more we hear new excerpts and songs for this upcoming release and the more this album will be great - full of insane technical guitar reminiscent of RIP, guitar solos, and great vocals melodies. Can't wait for this album to come out, as it might clearly be their best in 15 years.

And I keep hearing about a Canadian tour sometime this fall...


Plum Shark News
The 2nd album is now mixed and mastered. We just need to finalize the artwork-thing, and we will be done.

Also had the chance to play a few times with the band. It had been a long time. We are now going into full 'rehearsal mode' for the release of the album - expect some shows this fall.


Pearl Jam Concert in Toronto, Friday August 21st
The high point of the last week for me.

Highlights:

• Going to the pre-party at the Brazen Head Pub close to the venue: Packed with Pearl Jam fans from all over the world. Great time, from 3 to 6 PM, before the concert.
• Flirting at the Pub with an Eddie Vedder thirty-something model friend from Toronto. Now I digress, but, what the heck! In retrospect, that encouter made my day... (which was already amazing to begin with, so I guess you can understand how fun and gorgeous that girl was... She was just 'shining' personality-wise and physically).
• Pearl Jam opening for Pearl Jam: The singer for the opening band was missing, and we got a real treat, with Pearl Jam helping out. Missed Vedder playing Needle and the Damage Done just as we were coming in... however, they played with the openers for a while, including the final song, the classic Stooges song, Search and Destroy.
• Seats were amazing: 15th row, which means my fan club number keeps getting me better seats, as members were flying from all over the world for this concert.
• The crowd was crazy, and the band was on fire.
• Ending the night at the Horseshoe Tavern, famous for playing all the Canadian bands before they are huge...
  
  Here are a few pictures I took from my seat:

PS: Oh... I forgot. The next morning, I went to see the new Tarantino movie, which ended up being just a really fun time. The best Tarantino movie since Pulp Fiction.

PPS: Tomorrow, thanks to my little brother, I got tickets for the media party for the release of the new Vincent Vallières record at the Astral. Should be fun.

PPPS: Also got some tickets for the Mars Volta in Montreal, and Liam Finn is coming our way end of October. Should be a lot of fun!

Pearl Jam - The Fixer

Yes, the new single for Pearl Jam's forthcoming album is here!

Sounds fresh for Pearl Jam.

Enjoy!

Head Crusher

New Megadeth coming soon! Yeah!

While I write some other posts regarding Plum Shark and gear, I was floored this week by the new Megadeth song that was given for free on their website, for the oncoming 'Endgame' record.

And this is song the real Megadeth! Just looking at the cover explains it all:

From the intro on, it is a real assault on the senses! A mix of their last record and 'Rust in Peace'. Heavy, extremely tight, along with nice transitions. If this is a glimpse of what the record is gonna be like, this one is a statement. This song is just sick.

It has this pure 'Mustaine snarl' all over, and the guitar tone is as aggressive as it ever was for Megadeth.

And the new guitarist, Chris Broderick, certainly won't deceive anyone.

For now, if this song is a good example of what is to come, this album might be, by far, album of the year.

Never been that excited for a new Megadeth record. Can't wait to hear more!!!

Get the new song, in streaming, at www.megadeth.com.

AiC - Black Gives Way to Blue

New Alice in Chains... after over 13 years. New singer, after Layne's passing. But what does it mean musically?

Figure out by yourselves - the new single - Black Gives Way to Blue - is available in mp3 for free at www.aliceinchains.com.

It all starts crazy, with huge drums full of reverb and distorted guitars all around - AiC is back.

Like AiC of late, Jerry's vocals are quite important. They are as loud as the new singer's William Duvall. By the way, I propose that you into Duvall's previous band's music, Comes with the Fall.

At first impression, this new song sounds more like Jerry's Degradation Trip than anything. Weird, but I was waiting for something more... Nice melodic chorus though - that might be the strength of this next CD, with William's sense of melody where it makes a difference. I just hope Jerry let him write some parts by himself.

However, production is slick! It is heavy and powerful that is for sure. AiC never sounded that mean.

I'm still waiting for the complete CD before judging. However, after listening twice, I would have hoped this single to blow me away. At first, it did not... That is all right, if the songs and the album is deep in guitars, effects, melody. I just hope not to be disappointed... that would be sad for such a great rock band.

I'll keep listening to this song, in order to figure it out, and we'll see...

The album, A Looking View, will be in our hands September 29th. Can't wait...

The Mars Volta's Octahedron

Today was the release of the brand new The Mars Volta's record, Octahedron.

However, feedback we had from the band - which is acknowledged by the liner notes - show that this album was record nearly one year ago... Apparently, their record label would not let them release two albums in the same year. Thus, this album comes a year and a half after Bedlam in Goliath.

Other feedback that we were hearing was that this was supposed to be an unplugged. But in Mars Volta terms, unplugged did not necessarily mean playing with acoustic guitars. At a first hearing, the album clearly seems to focus less on dynamics, but more on ambiance. This doesn't mean that there is no rocker or any aggressive tendencies however...

Here's my track by track review:

1. Since We've Been Wrong
Starts slowly with a droning pad, then, after over a minute, a simple acoustic guitar gives, along with Cedric's voice, the tone of the song... melancolic and ambiant. When the chorus hits, it feels like The Mars Volta traded their usual electric guitars for toned down arrangements, but it does not feel weird at all - it actually breathes (barely breathing would be better fit for the tone of the song) more than The Mars Volta ever did breath.

Then, drums hit hard, with bass, filling the mix, leaving guitars behind. Interesting production decision, yet it is quite effective in bringing a crescendo in the song.

Clearly, we are in for a different record from the Mars Volta... we recognize the textures, but the overall feel seems more mature...

2. Teflon
Going into a rocker it seems, by the drums coming in... However, it mostly remains spacey, kicking into the choruses, but much less than the Mars Volta is used to. Yet, this is a stready progression into higher gear, but the song writing seems more much present than aggression...

3. Halo of Nembutals
Sound effects at first, then guitars-bass kick in. This one feels like it is coming from Frances the Mute - a lot of focus on ambiance. But then it kicks in a 6-chords chorus, yet it feels like a song instead of an epic. Good thing, in my opinion.

At first, the end lost me a bit there though... before coming back in the chorus, for a powerful ending...

4. With Twilight As My Guide
A slow one there, with plenty of delayed electric guitars filling behind the acoustic forefront. The focus is on vocals and ambiance here, acoustic guitar providing a nice layer on which the song moves.

A great melodic break (or chorus?), gives is power without changing anything in the dynamics of the song.

Even if this one is actually close to the feeling of 'The Widow', it is more felt, and seems to me like a superb evolution from their previous work.

5. Cotopaxi
Ah... we get a break here from slow, ambiant songs with the album's rocker. This one could fit on any of their previous 2 albums - it is also a complete, short and powerful song that is not too far from their At-The Drive-In past, which is definitely a good thing. The break there sound just like King Crimson...

6. Desperate Graves
The second 'rocker' from this album, yet it does not have the aggression of similar songs from previous Volta albums - clearly, this one shows that they can achieve the same feeling without always trashing everything around.

After one hearing, the verses of this song are probably one of the powerful moment of this album.

7. Copernicus
Again, this one relies on vocals, but this time, there is not much ambiance other than that provided by the clean electric guitar (until drums-bass and other arrangements slowly come into sight). Nice piano at the end... feels like a different band on this one.

8. Luciforms
Starts with synth-pads for over a minute... nothing else. Would this have been a previous Mars Volta records, we would have been swimming in overdub sea by then - nice change.

But still it shifts into high-gear for a while, the drumming being to me the center piece on this one - the snare can be heard more clearly than all other instruments, bringing a rhythmic pulsation that drives all the rest in verses that only offer sparse instrumentation.

However, the ending doesn't do much to me... until the solo gets in! Yeah, this feels like I am playing guitar - all emotion. Sounds like Omar was feeling it all the way.

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Well... these were just first impressions, and I can't wait to listen again for a more refined hearing. Still, this band does not disappoint, as it feels as good as any of their previous albums (have they made any 'bad' album according to their standards ?!? - yet, each of their work stands on their own).


What can be noticed is, for a second album in a row, great drumming from young prodigy Thomas Pridgen (won a Guitar Center nation-wide US contest at age 9... he is now just 26).

Instead of being just part of an album, songs from this record feel like individuals that breathe compared to any of their previous work. Still, these songs relate to each other. In general, toned down arrangements make it seem like they must have commited to song writing rather than aggression, and this feels good from such talented arrangers - now we know they can also write songs rather than always go for the obvious aggression they are known for...

Again, they came up with a weird cover... My first reaction: "Man, y a une gousse d'ail sur la pochette!!"... :P