Music Junk Selection #4: Injected

INJECTED – BURN IT BLACK

     Next on the docket as Music Junk approved is the band Injected and their only major label release from 2002, “Burn It Black.”

                                                             GENRE: Rock

                                                             SUB-GENRE: Gun Metal

                                                             MEMBERS: Danny Grady, Jade Lemons, Steve Slovisky, 
                                                                                   Chris Wojtal

     This one may rub a few people the wrong way, but maybe not… but it probably will, and I’m okay with that… I think.  Anyway!  If I could describe Injected in one concise sentence it would be this: Injected is a brutally tight, heavy rock gathering that brings new interest to a genre that is typically saturated with douche lead singers wearing flat billed baseball caps.  I could really go on railing on that kind of music (and I want to sooo badly), but I'm going to move on and focus on what THIS band had done right.  In comparison to the other bands performing this kind of heavy rock, there was something about Injected that seemed much more genuine and it's hard to put my finger on it, but I'm going to try.  It never felt like they were trying too hard to sound badass or cool, but more like this sound was just a part of them and that it was inevitably going to come out if they picked up instruments.

     They seemed to have an outlook on their music that cared about dynamic, that brought the volume down and then exploded right at the moment you wanted that you didn’t know you wanted.  An outlook that relied on stomping, aggressive, yet interesting rhythms within their riffs.  Killer on all accounts.  Injected was an incredibly refreshing group considering the kind of music they played that sadly released only one album on a major label in the early 2000s and disbanded from a series of band and label complications before officially releasing anymore material.

     Now let's get specific.  What makes these guys different from other bands in this genre?  The most notable quality would be the singer, Danny Grady, and his unique delivery.  You can probably hear the sound of the singer from bands like Five Finger Death Punch, Volbeat, or Slipknot in your head just thinking about this genre of rock.  That frat-boy “rocker” sound, and it’s not a good one.  Danny is not like these gentlemen.  Instead, his voice is the perfect mix of control and lack of control.  Like a graceful drunken stumble.  A voice that finally compliments this style of music instead of sounding forced or instantly shallow.  A very rare sound for a rock group; so rare that I’m not sure I can point to another band that sounds quite like it.  Aside from Danny, their riffery is solid as mentioned before and their drummer, Chris Wojtal, understood where the bass kicks needed to be in relation to the riff to make the most of it.  This genre is the fast food of music, but this is the best, greasiest burger you’ve ever had.  So tasty.

The first track on the album is “When She Comes” and it gives the listener only a moment to prepare themselves before a satisfyingly heavy riff comes in and immediately induces head bobbing.  Definitely a contender for my favorite opening track to an album.

                                                              WHEN SHE COMES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWJEHtS2R2I

The next track “Used Up” is another great riff that never lets up on the rhythmic hits.  The vocals build in all the right places and that sense of build is magnified in the chorus when the vocals split, one descending and the other ascending.  But likely my favorite part of the song is the one menacing chord that is struck right before the pre-chorus.

                                                              USED UP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6xDlws8V5E

The last track I would like to show would be “Blood Stained Glass” and despite its title it isn’t as heavy as the others; a little more subtle.  The guitar takes an interesting direction and the solos are a weird mix of melodic, syncopated, and edgy, but it works.  Danny sings fairly dialed back for a good portion of the song and then let’s you have it when you need it.

                                                              BLOOD STAINED GLASS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19oRA77pLZM

To do the brief version, these are the qualities that make Burn It Black a solid album:

1. Rhythmically Interesting Riffs

2. Unique & Genuine Sounding Vocals

3. Brutally Heavy Guitar Sound

4. Punches It When It Needs Punched

5. Drums & Guitar Are Perfect Compliments

Injected had independently released an album (Hammered & Enamored) when they were all just kids back in 1995 and there isn't too much of a reason to find it, but they did have all of the material that was set to be on their next record (The Truth About You) leaked online which has a good portion of enjoyable stuff.  I will likely be uploading that music on my Youtube channel so you can listen to it there.  Aside from that, thank you for reading this and I hope I gave you something new to add to your regular listening.

Official Music Junk video links here:
When She Comes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWJEHtS2R2I
Used Up - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6xDlws8V5E
Blood Stained Glass - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19oRA77pLZM

Music Junk Selection #3: The Major Labels

THE MAJOR LABELS - AQUAVIA

     Keeping the genres on a good rotation here, the next artist I want to shine the spotlight on is “The Major Labels” and their one and only album “Aquavia."

                                                      GENRE: Pop

                                                      SUB-GENRE: Power Pop

                                                      MEMBERS: William "Bleu" McAuley, Mike Viola, Ducky Carlisle

     'A collection of songwriting and production veterans' is how I would describe these gentlemen and Aquavia should be evidence to that statement.  The Major Labels is a side-project from 2008 that was an outlet for a few artists to do something a little outside of their regular sound.  The choice to do this was a good one as this project ended up sounding something like unreleased Beatles tunes WHICH is obviously a big claim, but one I’m willing to make.  These guys have a strong grasp on what a pop song should sound like if you want multiple generations shouting it at the top of their lungs in the car and then listening quietly and introspectively to the very next track.  There are songs that are fun, some are seriously progressive, and some are both, all while maintaining a theme across the album that is reminiscent of something that would have been on pop radio in the sixties.  This album is a modern songwriting achievement and shows that artists today can still have an amazing sense of what the human ear and psyche is actually wanting out of a song.

     One of the qualities that helps The Major Labels stand apart from other pop groups are the singers, Bleu and Mike Viola.  Both of these men are prolific songwriters and have been recording and releasing music since the 90s.  Mike Viola co-produced and sang lead vocals on the title track for “That Thing You Do” and has consistently been putting out music with the Candy Butchers, as well as a solo act since then.  Bleu, while having not done something quite as ‘name-droppy’ like That Thing You Do, has a unique and attractive voice and has been writing some great pop as a solo act for a decade and a half (along with a number of other side-projects).  The Major Labels is closer to Viola’s sound, but with the addition of Bleu’s voice and flare it makes the music reach a new level of power and conviction.  This is what made the Beatles great and it's what makes The Major Labels great: One band with two gifted songwriters that worked well with one another.  Ducky Carlisle, while not being a songwriting powerhouse, has had decades of production experience and that undoubtedly brings a consistently professional sound to the record.

The album starts off with a couple fun tracks, but it doesn’t really lay into your musical senses until track 3 with “Velveteen Queen.”  The melody moves to pleasantly expected places as well as the powerful unexpected places, all coupled with a traditionally sweet chord progression.  Unadulterated songwriting greatness.

                                                              VELVETEEN QUEEN

The next track I would like to highlight is “Hummingbird.”  This is a beautifully written acoustic piece that is paired with a gentle and moving melody.  Any joker with an acoustic guitar can write a song and meet the criteria to be considered a song, but Viola and Bleu do it to a caliber that few can, while still working with so little.

                                                              HUMMINGBIRD

The last track I want to talk about is the 3-part song “The Sweet.”  Definitely an interesting song that takes a different direction than what is expected and really demonstrates the care for craft that they have for their music.

                                                              THE SWEET

In the end The Major Labels bring a pop sensibility that otherwise seems to have been lost a long time ago, making Aquavia a real diamond in the rough.  Here are the specific good qualities of this gem:

1. Songs That Go Places

2. Rich Chord Progressions

3. Vocals With Interest & Character

4. Genuinely Moving Ballads

5. Not Over-Produced

There is only one album by The Major Labels, but I hope that they come to their senses, get back together, and make another record.  They are all still making music in some shape or form in other projects, but here’s to the hope of them reuniting for a follow up to Aquavia.  I hope that I gave you something new to add to your regular listening and thanks for taking time to hear these guys in the first place.



Official Music Junk Video links here:
Velveteen Queen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sy1_Y55OLY
Hummingbird - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOPmGchnHeY
The Sweet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcRGN2Nu1gg

Music Junk Selection #2: Jarle Bernhoft

JARLE BERNHOFT - CERAMIK CITY CHRONICLES

     The next artist I want to draw your attention to as Music Junk approved is Jarle (Yar-luh) Bernhoft and his 2008 album “Ceramik City Chronicles.” 

                                                              GENRE: Soul

                                                              SUB-GENRE: Real Soul

     The sub-genre you see there may look like a joke, but it is not.  Its purpose is to differentiate between an artist that performs Pop Soul (soulful music with a pop foundation) and Real Soul (soulful music that does not pander to a current pop trend).  There is nothing inherently wrong with Pop Soul, but that is not what Mr. Bernhoft has brought to this album.  

     Jarle had never performed as a soul musician until he had heard a record by Sly and the Family Stone which was so inspiring to him that it eventually led to the recording of Ceramik City.  Before that, he had spent 5 years in the rock outfit “Span" which had commercial success in his home country of Norway until it disbanded at the end of 2005.  Hearing his soul voice today is amazing considering the genre of music that he came from.  Ceramik City Chronicles is a remarkable album from start to finish as it seethes with the stories of someone who saw and understood the troubles of a big city.

     Down to business, Jarle's performance on this album has a lot to offer.  A lot.  First, his voice has a very distinct and genuine tone to it with a slight edge that continually surprises people once they learn he's a white guy from Norway.  It's all the more surprising when coupled with his exceptional lyricism, even though English is his second language.  He doesn't seem to get caught up in the same old lyrical tropes that we get caught in as Americans, giving his lyrics an interesting and refreshing approach that you don't get from many.  Being Norwegian might have given him a different songwriting perspective that could help, but I believe it goes beyond that.  The care for craft in his songwriting is evident in each song's build and dynamic hits, and ultimately, Ceramik City is shockingly consistent to be tossed up to luck.  The last quality that I want to mention is the instrumentation.  Most tracks sound like they could have been straight out of the 70s which ends up bringing an even greater sense of "realness" to the experience.  I didn't want to use that word, but I'll just say it was intentional theming to this article.  Anyway, Jarle plays the majority of what you hear on this album even with a few tracks being completely comprised of his talents.

His first single "Streetlights" is a fantastic testament to his soulful writing and delivery as well as his multi-instrumental ability.  Everything you hear on this track is him.

                                                              STREETLIGHTS

The next track, "Prayer To A Landlord" is the waltz of the album and it is satisfyingly relaxed and moving at the same time, both lyrically and instrumentally.

                                                              PRAYER TO A LANDLORD

The final preview to the album is "On Patience."  It starts off with the guitar moving around chromatically and that may make you feel a little weird at first, but as it builds it turns into a full-fledged power-soul explosion with some moments allowed to give light to Jarle's great lead guitar work.

                                                              ON PATIENCE

After all is said and done, these are the qualities that really make Jarle stand out and make the listen incredibly enjoyable:

1. A Veteran-of-Soul Voice
2. Thoughtful & Fresh Lyrical Take
3. Exceptional Dynamics & Build
4. Tight & Immersive Instrumentation

     Since Ceramik City Chronicles, Jarle has gone on to record 2 more full-length albums (Solidarity Breaks and Islander) 2 live albums (1:Man 2:Band and Walk With Me) and 1 live EP (Live In Cologne).  All of these have different sounds from Ceramik City; some good, some not as good.  I will likely come back around and address the other good albums Jarle has put out and give you some more music to listen to if you don't instinctively search through everything that he's done to find the good stuff... like I did.

     Thanks for taking the time to hear this guy and I hope that I gave you something new to add to your regular listening.


Official Music Junk Video links here:
Streetlights - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiM03D6sL7o
Prayer To A Landlord - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Def84fAEA
On Patience - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVEHQweomf0

BONUS
Span: Don't Think The Way They Do - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix2a408m7c4&list=UUkeBQhu9Spxg082jbg_zSUg

Music Junk Selection #1: Crash Kings

     

WHY I'M HERE AND WHY YOU SHOULD BE

     Well, here we are.  The beginning.  What can be said other than, "I hope I'm doing this right."  To start, I'm a 23 year-old, college-dropout Idahoan.  I don't even know if I used those little hyphen things correctly, but I am from Idaho so good enough, right?  I'll try not to get too caught up on those matters and get to the point here.  This blog was made in hopes that some of the people reading it will discover new music that they like.  I've always had an ability and desire for finding good new music and now I've decided to turn that into more of a structured format.  I am far from an expert on music, but I feel I have an ear for quality and the reasons behind that quality; not necessarily a strict diagnosis of the science of music, but one that parses out why we find beauty in it.  Ultimately, I think I can find you new music that you will enjoy.
     
     Now to get to the opinionated stuff.  I don't believe that pop music is inherently bad, but I do believe that it is more inclined to lack real depth; both in sentiment and general songwriting.  You will see plenty of pop (genre) posts on here, but not necessarily pop (popular) posts.  While we're on that thread, the genres that will be discussed on here will look something like this:  rock, pop, soul, electronic, hip-hop, classical, jazz, blues, and plenty of sub-genres.  Some of you country fans out there might have noticed that God's chosen music wasn't on that list.  I am open to the idea that good country music exists, I just haven't found any that stands out yet.  If there is some artist that you think I should know about send me a message and a link and I'll look into it.

     One thing that this blog will have is full-length songs of the featured artist through youtube so you won't have to go searching for samples of their stuff.  The youtube videos will be off the official "Music Junk" youtube channel (when at all possible) where I'll be uploading all of this music personally.  I want readers/listeners to be able to hear these bands right off the bat to find out whether they like 'em or not.
     

MUSIC JUNK SELECTION #1:
CRASH KINGS - TITLE ALBUM

     I feel like I've said all that I need to say, so let's get down to business.  The first artist that I want to present as "Music Junk Approved" (whatever that means) is the group "CRASH KINGS" and their 2009 debut title album.

                                                              GENRE: Rock

                                                              SUB-GENRE: Piano Rock
                                                              MEMBERS: Tony Beliveau, Mike Beliveau, Jason Morris

     

     The "Crash Kings" are a solid band for a list of reasons.  The drum beats are a clear and powerful force that contribute to the dynamic of every song while the bass lines are much more forefront than most rock bands would generally allow.  That choice served them well, especially with the deep growling distortion they use on several songs.  The bass is not just adding a background or more volume for this band; it has rhythm and character, moving more like a guitar riff rather than a typical rock 'n' roll bass-line.  But the thing that separates the "Crash Kings" from just about every other rock band is their front-man. He plays the piano, as well as an instrument that I had never heard of before called a clavinet.  It is a keyboard made like a guitar amp and even goes so far as to have a whammy bar protruding from the top.

     Despite hearing guitar-like sounds from this band, it is only the clavinet.  The second reason their front-man stands above the rest is his vocal range.  He hits every single note on this album with his chest voice and he does it with serious power.  I have not heard a voice like this in a long time.  It adds a ton, but don't take my word for it, listen for yourself.  I have linked three songs on here from their 2009 debut album.  The first song is their single "Mountain Man."  Many have compared it to Jack White's side project "The Raconteurs" which I would say is a pretty accurate comparison.
                                       
                                                              MOUNTAIN MAN

The next song on the list is "14 Arms."  This song starts off like a ruckus and leads into an incredible hook for a chorus.

                                                              14 ARMS

The third and final song is "Saving Grace" which truly demonstrates Tony's incredible range.

                                                              SAVING GRACE

To narrow it down, here are the specific good qualities from the Crash King's title album:

1. Powerful Drumbeats
2. Guitar-Riff-Like Bass Lines
3. Incredible Lead Vocal Range
4. Some Good Chord Progressions
5. Proper Dynamic Build on Most Songs

     They have released two albums at this point, but this post speaks only to their first album because of the complete and stand-alone work that it is.  The Crash Kings second album, "Dark of the Daylight" has some great moments, but it is definitely a different sound and not quite as cohesive as their title album.  While not as strong, it's still worth a listen and may be addressed more in depth down the road.

     Thanks for taking time to hear these guys and I hope that I gave you something new to add to your regular listening.


Official Music Junk Video links here because blogger wouldn't let me insert my channel's videos:
Mountain Man - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgMvGVfmfwc
14 Arms - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACoULHU0D8A
Saving Grace - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcVpkdIa1l8