the Top 5 most Epic Song

There is nothing better then a mad Epic Song that goes on and on and continues to outdo it self over and over again. So here is a simple small list of five of my personal favorite Epic Tracks that are simply just sick.

1. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
2. Echoes - Pink Floyd
3. Funeral for a Friend - Elton John
4. Octavarium - Dream Theater
5. The Sky Moves Sideways - Porcupine Tree

Top 5 Albums of All Time

There is no doubt that great music like literature enhances one's life. There is nothing I enjoy more then sitting back and listening to a great album and being so inspired when it's done that I must attempt to write my own timeless masterpiece. This feeling is most present after listening to any of the following albums. All different genre's and style but all equally great. This is my Top 5 albums of All Time for me (so far).

5. Nevermind- Nirvana
It was at a grade 8 dance when I first heard the anthem of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and it would be track to re-spark my interest music. Nevermind was the first album I listened to that I enjoyed every track on, breaking apart my previous belief that every album has only 1 good song on it. It was also for me the first album that I heard that demonstrated mood shifting from track to track. The album really sent across the raw emotion of the artists and their music rather then the sense that it was written with the goal of selling albums and having bubble gum #1 hits.


4. Bat Out of Hell - Meat Loaf
This album is truly something to behold. Much Like Nirvana's Nevermind album Bat Out of Hell is a album that just keeps on giving. Every track better then the last keeping the listener excited and on the edge of their seat thinking there is no way the next track can out do this one. And of course always surprised when it does. We can hear more complex musical parts and structure on this album compared to Nevermind which simply pushes this album ahead. The vocals are sung with such heart and soul all the way through the album, you really have to give it a second listen to realize it. This album is just such an enjoyable experience to listen to and it doesn't matter what mood your in, it always hits the spot.

3. IV - Led Zeppelin
Being a rock fan, Its impossible to not have a Led Zeppelin album on the list. I know what your thinking, "ah yes, Stairway to Heaven thats why its on the list". Not true, it is a incredible song but the entire album is filled with them. Being a guitar player that is what gave this album it's boost. Simply solid, flawless guitar work. Catchy riffs, rocking solo's and delicate acoustic work makes it easy for the listener to get pulled into this album. Musically the album is just flawless, every member of the band the best at what their at and at the peak of their career you can't get anything less then gold.
p.s. for the record When the Levee Breaks is my favorite track on the album

2. London Calling - the Clash
The first time I listened to this album I was not impressed. Only later to realize I was just not ready. Looking at my previous picks such as Bat Out of Hell and Led Zeppelin IV, I had demanded such perfection in my albums when It came to vocals, guitars, drums, piano etc. That I had lost the ability to listen to more then just each individuals ability to perform and their skill level at their own music instrument. London Calling changed that for me. It was this album I learned to appreciate the experimentation and raw energy I loved in Nevermind. It also taught me to start listening to chemistry between band members and listen to the final product more then following a riff for 3 minutes. The album covers and creates so many genre's it almost feels like a compilation album yet you would miss any of the 19 tracks. No two songs sounding anything alike. The album is a very unique musical journey that simply is just not like other albums.

1. Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd

For a lot of people, the position of their favorite album is shared by usually several. There was no debate or second guessing myself when it came to putting this album at #1. A musically perfect as Led Zeppelin IV, with the experimentation of London Calling. Dark Side of the Moon is a solid album with no weak links or flaws. However it is the concept and fact that all the tracks on their own are simply incredible but when put together with the planning, effort and concept. That they together form a timeless masterpiece. The concept of summarizing one's life in a album makes you feel like your living another every time you listen to it. No album makes you reflect on ones life and the world quiet like this one. A dark album that can uplifts the mind and soul, Dark Side of the Moon is the top album of all time.

honorable mentions
Ok Computer - Radiohead
In the Court of the Crimson King - King Crimson
Rush of Blood to the head - Coldplay
2112 - Rush

-brett
the fat flamingo

Free Music Watch - Airbag

I've been thinking about what really makes a blog sweet. And I decided what would be really cool if I posted free songs, albums and music I find drifting around the internet.

When it comes quality tracks for free there is no independent band out there that compares to Airbag.

Simply a great fusion of Pink Floyd, Radiohead and Coldplay style rock. The album does a great job creating a atmosphere and mood that remains beginning to end much like a concept album or rock opera. The dark feel of the album with the 70's rock guitar of Pink Floyd, the vocal styling of Radiohead and Coldplay this free album is surely worth the listen and I highly recommend it for fans of those 3 bands. The album is free to download but a physical copy of it may be purchased.

Click Here to Check it Out and learn more about Airbag

-brett
the fat flamingo

Top 4 Assholes in Rock

Well theres certain musicians that we love for their music but thats simply were it ends (or doesn't even start) This is a list of my top 4 jerks in rock. It is completely based on my views and no real statistics. I will be picking these top 4 artists based on things they have said or done and if they apologized it still counts as a strike against them. So don't send me emails about how they said they were sorry cause I do not care.

4 - Brandon Flowers of The Killers
In my fourth position is Brandon Flowers of The Killers. I am in no way a fan of the Killers but the music had no influence on my decision to place him at number 4. Mr. Flowers is known for initiating feuds between The Killers and other bands, such as The Bravery, Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco. Now I care not for these bands and I am not defending them. Regarding his comments towards Panic! at the Disco Mr. Flowers said "I don't even know what their music's like, or if I would even like it...That made me feel even worse, to think they could have been fans of ours and I hurt their feelings. That's just stupid." Flowers has also criticized Green Day for what he sees as their calculated anti-Americanism. Specifically, Mr.Flowers found a video of Green Day performing the song 'American Idiot' in the UK distasteful. For his ability to start fights with other groups as well as having a ego bigger then his album sales, Brandon Flowers is my #4 asshole is rock.

3 - Roger Waters of Pink Floyd
In my third position is Roger Waters of Pink Floyd. Please note Pink Floyd is my favorite band but this only makes me more aware of his actions. The troubles begin when the group hit success with their album The Dark Side of the Moon. Not only does he take credit as the "creative genius" behind the album but he started to take control over the band after this album in a fascist like manner. Mr.Waters slowly broke the band apart from the inside with his poor leadership tactics. The real trouble began while touring Animals when Mr.Waters lost it at a show in Montreal. An audience member set off a firecracker near to the stage. Mr.Water s stopped singing and shouted out, "Oh, for fuck's sake. Stop letting off fireworks and shouting and screaming! I'm trying to sing a song." He then continued with the song, but things went downhill from there, and during "Pigs (Three Different Ones)", Waters watched incredulously as one fan climbed the netting that separated the audience from the band and in disgust, Waters spat in his admirer's face. Things continued to worsen, while recording The Wall that Waters decided to fire Wright, after Wright's personal problems began to affect the album production. After the Wall, The Final Cut was released. The sleeve notes describe it as being a piece "by Roger Waters" that was "performed by Pink Floyd" (rather than an actual Pink Floyd record). David Gilmour purposely tried to delay the release of the album as to get some of his work on the album but Waters refused. It was the lowest selling Pink Floyd studio album in the US since Meddle which was released in 1971. Waters dominated the recording sessions which lead to the band breaking up. Waters continues to act this way to this very day. For becoming the very fascist you complained about and sharing your spit with fans faces as well as ruining the greatest band ever, I put Roger Waters as the #3 biggest asshole in rock.

2 - Noel Gallagher of Oasis
In my second position is Noel Gallagher of Oasis. Mr.Gallagher is known for being controversial and his outspoken statements in the press. In a 1995 interview he expressed a wish for Damon Albarn and Alex James of rivals Blur to "catch AIDS and die". I would also like to note Mr. Gallagher's hate towards artist Phil Collins. Mr. Gallagher said such things as "People fucking hate cunts like Phil Collins, and if they don't — they fucking should" and "Why did he sell so many records in the '80s? I mean, fucking hell", as well as "Phil Collins sells a lot of records but he makes shit albums." Also "Vote Labour. If you don't and the Tories get in, Phil is threatening to come back from Switzerland and live here — and none of us want that." He also referred to Collins as "the anti-Christ". Mr.Gallagher has not been shy about slating his idols either. When the Bealtes George Harrison accused Oasis of being little more than a "passing" fad, Gallagher replied "George was always the quiet Beatle, maybe he should keep that up." Gallagher also criticised Green Day for plagiarising the hit "Wonderwall" in the song "Boulevard of Broken Dreams". He stated, "If you listen, you'll find it is exactly the same arrangement as 'Wonderwall'. When asked about his own habit of "nicking riffs" from other groups, Gallagher replied, "Yeah, but not whole songs! They should have the decency to wait until I am dead. I at least pay the people I steal from that courtesy". In 2007, Gallagher accused contemporary Thom York of Radiohead of boring fans saying "Thom Yorke sat at a piano singing, This is fucked up, for half an hour. We all know that, Mr Yorke... Who wants to sing the news? No matter how much you sit their twiddling, going, 'We're all doomed,' at the end of the day people will always want to hear you play Creep. Get over it. I never went to fucking university. I don't know what a paint brush is; I never went to art school." Yorke responded by simply saying his education had taught him "to respect other artists." (zing) Commentators observed that this is something which Gallagher has a tendency to fail to do. For so many reasons Noel Gallagher is my #2 top asshole in rock.

1 - Axel Rose of Guns n Roses
Here we are, my #1 Asshole in Rock is Axel Rose of Guns n Roses (big surprise). Well this article has already gone way longer then I wanted so lets make Axel's nice and short much like his personality. In 1988, Guns N' Roses released the EP G'N'R Lies. The album had strong sales, there was public outrage over the lyrics of the song "One in a Million", which included references to "niggers" and "faggots". Axel often shows up for his own shows late, sometimes hours late. In 1991, during the 28-month-long Use Your Illusion Tour, Rose jumped off stage during a concert in St.Lousi to take a video camera away from a fan (ironically caught on camera, click here to watch). The concert was aborted as Rose and the other band members left the stage, sparking an intense riot. Rose was blamed for the melee, and was charged with four counts of misdemeanor assault and one charge of property damage, for which he was arrested in 1992. During a show on 1992 in Montreal during a summer concert co-headlining tour with Metallica, James Hetfield lead singer of Metallica was burned in a pyrotechnics accident, which cut short the previous set. This meant Guns N' Roses needed to take to the stage early, however, Rose, already late for the band's appearance, walked off stage and left the stadium after playing 9 songs, claiming he had problems with his voice and deciding to cancel the band's set. Before "Double Talkin' Jive", Rose said this will be “our last show for a long time”, and at the end of "Civil War", their last song, Rose said “F*ck you” and went off the stage after less than 5 songs. This led to another riot which authorities were barely able to bring under control. All this plus kicking out all your band members makes you, Axel Rose the #1 asshole in rock.

-brett
the fat flamingo