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Michael Jackson – Michael (Album Review)

Posted in Album Review, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 8, 2010 by Tickets There

Michael Jackson, the legendary King of Pop is back with a new album! Anyone who ever doubted the man’s claim to the royal throne surely can’t begrudge Michael now that he’s managed to release his first full length album in nine years despite the small matter of his death just 18 months ago. Tongue in cheek anyone? It’s no secret that the release of Michael has been a controversial choice for Sony with almost everyone in the Jackson camp coming out to bash the idea with some even speculating to the authenticity of the vocals on some of the tracks and artists such as Will.I.Am denouncing the record company’s choice to release a highly respected musician’s unfinished art without his consent. Despite all this, the album is just two days from an official release so it’s time to forget the controversy and find out exactly what the King was up to behind the scenes for his final years.

Things take off slowly with the R&B styled Hold My Hand which features Akon. Not a bad song by any means but given that this is the opening to a deceased legends posthumous album, you’d expect a little bit more of a show. Hollywood Tonight provides the template for a classic slice of Michael pop but doesn’t really deliver the balls to make it a stand out classic and just seems to go with the flow. Maybe it could have worked with more work from the artist but unfortunately he was unavailable to provide his feedback. Keep Your Head Up is another Soulful R&B number in the style of tracks from 2001’s Invincible album. It isn’t until (I Like) The Way You Love Me kicks in that you get a real taste of Michael’s legendary smooth as silk talent.

Monster (featuring 50 Cent) continues the albums ascent towards acceptable with it’s beefed up, glass smashing, ‘Shamone’ style pounding. Amazingly enough 50 Cent’s contribution works well next to Sir Michael with the King’s vocals holding up their share. Maybe a little too broad to become a classic but nice to hear Michael was still prepared to strain the cords when called for. Best of Joy is another bog standard light number with it’s cryptic ‘I Am Forever’ chorus and then we come to the albums most controversial number, Breaking News.

Breaking News is the song several family members have claimed contains vocals from some MJ impersonator and Sony are going well out of their way with experts, analysts and collaborators being brought in to confirm the vocals are those of the King. Personally, Tickets There thinks they sound more like Britney Spears, just like the song itself. As a Michael Jackson song, it sounds a little too obvious in it’s subject matter and far too similar to every other pop act from the mid-2005 era with it’s electro drums, banging noises and layer upon layer of effects to flesh out the sound and convince you that underneath all this hoopla there’s something actually happening. Not a terrible song but only made interesting by the fact that Michael Jackson sings it. If it was anyone else, we wouldn’t care.

(I Can’t Make It) Another Day on the other hand is an excellent Michael Jackson song. Back to guitars, drums and Michael’s powerful voice throwing shapes against some great wind we always in vision him working against. A guest appearance by Lenny Kravitz is very welcome while Dave Grohl’s drumming seems a little understated. Much Too Soon closes things of with a very gentle, no frills ‘Ben’ styled niceness.

It’s not a bad album. In fact it’s a lot better than Invincible but like Invincible, there’s not a lot here to tack onto Michael’s legacy. Some nice moments, a handful of pretty great moments and a lot of rehash Michael styles that were never amazing to begin with (I’m looking at you Heal the World….and most of Dangerous really). The King is gone and this is by no means a slur on his career or an aborted attempt to salvage what ever last shreds of a record he had prepared. It’s solid, it’s finished and it’s 100% Michael. It’s just not the greatest Michael Jackson album of all time and that’s exactly what it needed to be for people to embrace it fully. Saying that, it’s nice hearing him sing again.

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Sweet Jane – Sugar For My Soul (Album Review)

Posted in Album Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on November 2, 2010 by Tickets There

If you haven’t heard of Sweet Jane yet then we here at Tickets There think it’s about time you did. Fronted by former Mainline / The Brothers Movement guitarist Danda and the wonderful fully fledged fashion icon, Lydia Des Dolles the band have been racking up glorying reviews from around the country since the release of their debut album, Sugar For My Soul in July. On top of this, the band seems to be doubling their fan base every time they play a show, release a single or speak in public and word is still spreading. Praising reviews are also beginning to pour in from the States and Europe meaning we may soon lose them to the glamour, sunshine and fine wines so get on it!

Sugar for My Soul has been on heavy rotation in the Tickets There corporate offices for the best part of a month now and we’re still not sure how to describe it properly. Each song has its own individual appeal but all of them still retain the bands excellent echo filled, spacious psychedelic monopolized sound and firm beat driven foundation. Cleverly, the band has managed to deliver an array of different styles such as pop, rock, indie and guitar dance without compromising the records overall tone and impact. The stripped back, jam styled simple splendor of Close Your Eyes, Texas Tears, Don’t Hold Your Head So Low and Something for My Soul sit in perfect harmony with the heavier ‘on your feet’ pieces like Bleed, War Cry and Fade To My Heartbreak.

Without going too in-depth into the albums styles and diversity, it’s important to note that it’s just a very good, very appealing album. The band hasn’t attempted to replicate Pink Floyd style construction and have instead focused on writing very enjoyable pieces of music and made sure there’s something for everyone. Lydia’s softy delivered vocals mixed with Danda’s edgier harmonies and experimental guitar styles deliver the perfect package that can be enjoyed by all music fans. If you’re going to buy one Irish album this year (cheapskate!), make it Sweet Jane.

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Ham Sandwich – White Fox (Album Review)

Posted in Album Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , , on September 29, 2010 by Tickets There

They’re back, one of Irelands most hotly tipped bands Ham Sandwich have returned with their sophomore album, White Fox. It officially hits stores in two days but seeing as they’re lovely folks, they’ve allowed State Magazine to post the whole thing online for free streaming. It’s been so long since we reviewed an album here at Tickets There, we’re not even sure whether we know how anymore (or ever did for that matter – Ed.), but over the next few paragraphs we’re going to do our best to tell you exactly how good this album is.

The Naturist was a lovely single in May and now it’s a lovely opening to the album. There’s nothing bad about this song and almost six months after it’s release, it’s as appealing, fresh and loveable as ever. Can’t think of a nicer way to start things off or prepare you for the heavier, faster sounds of the album’s title track, White Fox. It’s upbeat and edgy but broader and more dynamic than Ham Sandwich’s older sound, yet still retaining that energy we love about them.

Ant’s gives of the impression it’ll be a duet folk number like something from the sixties before unveiling its self fully and transforming into one of the most powerful pieces on the record. Niamh Farrell really out does herself vocally, giving the song a very strong performance that really drives this piece home. OH-OH’s dance floor driven poppiness is a welcome boost to the albums energy before the soothing sounds of Models brings us to the half way point. So far, so damn good.

The Fog again gives the album a good belting number, this time coming from the drums. A hard, quick paced beat with picking guitars provides an excellent base for the tracks clap along breaks. Like Ant’s, The Fog grows and develops with each new verse and chorus to become one of the albums standout’s. It’s also one older fans will find comfortable as the sound is similar to previous Sandwich favorites like Click Click Boom and Words.

Long Distance, In December and Animals provide more room for relaxation. Filled with melodic guitars, soft drums and soothing vocals, the songs almost run in to each other but in a very welcome form. They may not be the unquestionable stand outs of this record but their presence would only be missed if they changed. Floors finishes of the record on a very soulful note with Niamh and the band giving a very atmospheric, subtle performance. A nice way to end a very welcome return by Ham Sandwich,

Simply put, White Fox if a lovely album from start to finish. The heavier style from Carry The Meek is all but gone but instead the band can now offer a very personal, mature sound in their writing. An excellent return from one of Ireland’s brightest groups.  

Don’t forget, Ham Sandwich will officially launch White Fox on October 30th at The Button factory. Click Here for Detials.

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Adebisi Shank – This is the second album of a band called Adebisi Shank

Posted in Album Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , on August 26, 2010 by Tickets There


I bet ye didn’t know that instrumental up and coming legends Adebisi Shank have a brand spanking new album out!!…well, off course ye did, because you read Tickets There.

Now it’s time to find out what it’s like so hop on over to Golden Plec (Click Here) and read the official Tickets There Editor, sometime shop assistant, car washer and every other week rent boy – Robert O’ Connor’s Review.

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Joe Elliott’s Down ‘n’ Outz – My ReGeneration (Album Review)

Posted in Album Review, Music with tags , , , , , , , on July 22, 2010 by Tickets There

We finally picked up the courage to sit down and listen to Def Leppard lead singer, Joe Elliott’s new side project, The Down ‘N’ Outz. After hearing about this project several months ago, Tickets There has been eyeing it with our usual suspicion having never been massive MTH fans, but after several spins it appears things will have to change as The Down ‘n’ Outz début album, My ReGeneration is a serious piece of work.

The Down ‘N’ Outz, were originally formed for a performance with Mott The Hoople playing exclusively all things Mott. Along with Elliott, the band is comprised of Ronnie Garrity from Raw Glory, and Paul Guerin, Guy Griffin, and Keith Weir from The Quireboys. They generously gave the album free with last months Classic Rock and memories of Joe Perry’s recent solo disaster haunted Tickets There every time we saw the issue on the shelf. We couldn’t bare the thoughts of criticizing our life long hero Elliott and his new project, dedicated to the band he loves most in the world. Fortunately we don’t have to.

My Regeneration displays a fantastic collection of perfectly arranged, razor sharp and thoroughly enjoyable pop / rock out classics exploding with musical passion, energy and talent. The Down ‘N’ Outs sound fantastic together and they’ve given these tunes a good sanding down and varnishing making them exceptionally sleek although not letting them lose their raw, at times gritty blues postures.

Opening with the guitar, piano driven Golden Opportunity, the album bursts to life with a bang before the full on thundering catchy rampage of Storm drives it home, all in the first two tracks. Storm is a classic example of where Elliott and Def Leppard got their dramatic, memorable backing vocal power from. Overnight Angles brings things back a notch with some slicked back guitar heavy vibes before some solo driven chorus work gives the song a shredding character. Career (No Such Thing As Rock ‘N’ Roll) offers the the albums only ballad and it gives a great chance for Joe to display some of the finest vocal work we’ve heard in a long time. Just listen to that power during the chorus and you’ll hear it.

England Rocks from Ian Hunter’s 1977 solo album, Overnight Angles brings things back to a full on blitz of chaotically catchy rock fury. Shouting and Pointing again shows it’s impact on Leppard’s style with a slowed drum beat, rhythmic guitar bursts and a enough solos to call it a day. By Tonight brings more of an American sound in and, if we’re not mistaken there’s a hint of  High ‘N’ Dry in the guitars before Who Do You Love brings in some good old fashioned heavy pounding drum, keyboard power into the sound with lashings of catchy guitar rock n roll. Final tracks One More Chance to Run and Good Times end the album in a blaze of fire, gusto and all round English produced, English made seventies rock n roll bravado.

This album is exceptional. Most cover albums aren’t worth spitting on but My ReGeneration is definitely one worth picking up, especially if you haven’t heard MTH before. The Down ‘N’ Outz have done an incredible job reworking these tracks and with any luck they’ll carry on the project for a long time to come. Maybe if you visit their Website and ask very nicely, they may consider a few originals further down the line.

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Jogging – Minutes (Album Review)

Posted in Album Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on May 31, 2010 by Tickets There


Bit late with this one. Originally we were going to stick these lads in for a MySpace Review but after a few spins of their record thanks to Harmless Noise), we felt that wouldn’t do them justice and a full Album review is in order.

Made up of various members from Crayonsmith, Cap Pas Cap and Guilty Optics, Jogging were formed less than two years ago but shows with Bats and other high profile underground bands have brought them alot of attention, especially from up and coming indie label, The Richter Collective. The RC been responsible for releasing some of the most original albums Irelands produced in the last few years,including outputs from The Redneck Manifesto, Adebisi Shank, I’ll Eat Your Face and The Vinny Club. With the a real working band label in toe, Jogging have now been able to release their debut album, Minutes and before getting into the details, we can happily say there’s much worse things you could spend €5 on.

Any fans of The Future Kings of Spain, Bats and And So I Watch You From Afar will love this band. They combine hardcore singling styles, monumentally heavy bass and guitar arrangements and slick, indie rock structures to deliver truly enjoyable and refreshing sound. Opening with the belting Threadbare the album delivers an array of different styled tracks including the At The Drive-In styled Not Simple and album selling Shakeup Shakedown, the heavy, brooding Fostered Foes and the ferocious Cleft Chin, Good Heart.

There’s little to disappoint and plenty to keep you coming back. It’s been spinning on our speakers daily for the last two weeks and it’s still growing. To show they care they’ve posted the full album on their official site for streaming so why not pop over, have a few spins and enjoy yourselves.

Click Here to hear the full album in full and download.

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Ash – A-Z Vol.1 (Album Review)

Posted in Album Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 25, 2010 by Tickets There

The last couple of months have been anything but quiet in the Ash camp. After the mega selling Free All Angles, the well received and much heavier Meltdown and the slightly underwhelming Twilight of the Innocents (Lads, you never gave that album any proper attention so shut the f**k up – Ed.) and the loss of guitarist Charlotte Hatherley, it seemed Ash were on the decline. Like, how long can three guys all in their thirty’s write songs about summer romances and Star Wars?? When the band reappeared in 2009 and announced plans to release 26 singles over the course of a year, Tickets There didn’t exactly hold the highest of hopes. Goes to show critics, even under-experience, untrained ones like us can get it wrong.

Ash do everything on this record. If it’s hard dance basted floor fillers, gritty guitar grundge classics, catchy pop rock highlights, heavy guitar driven bruisers or stripped back, piano and acoustic ballads you’re after, you’re guaranteed to find it here. Tracks like Arcadia, Space Shot, Dionysian Urge, War With Me, Return of White Rabbit, Ichiban, Neon, The Dead Disciples and Command really drive this album home and prove Ash can write and release singles as easily as the rest of us breath. Bigger ballad numbers like Joy Kicks Darkness, Pripyat, Song of Your Desire and Tracers give the individual singles a connecting quality that brings them together enough to work surprisingly well as an album.

On top of the first 13 singles and Return of White Rabbit, the band have lashed on four extra bonus tracks and aside from the stench of cheese coming from Coming Around Again, they prove to work quite well. The Creeps is easily something the band could have written in their early Jack Names the Planets days which CTRL-ALT-DEL comes from the same family of A Life Less Ordinary.

We’re stumped for words. We have given Ash an excessive amount of space on Tickets There since last year and there’s a lot left to go. In short, these first 13 singles are the finest musical outputs Ash have released in almost a decade and with another 13 to go, we’re sure we won’t be stuck for words for long.

Follow Tickets There’s A – Z Singles Reviews Fortnightly by Clicking Here

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AC/DC – IRON MAN 2 (Soundtrack Review)

Posted in Album Review, Music with tags , , , , , on April 21, 2010 by Tickets There

Well…it’s incredible. AC/DC, a classic selection of tracks from their past. Hits like Highway to Hell, T.N.T., Thunderstruck, Let There Be Rock, Back In Black and If You Want Blood…You Got it will make this a collection worth having. Lesser known classics like The Razors Edge, Evil Walks, Shoot to Thrill, Rock N’ Roll Damnation ….. and all the others will make it the best soundtrack since god knows what.

Tickets There’s been spinning it for two days and all we can say is buy this record. It’s not a best off, it’s not a collection of rarities. It’s AC – Motha-fockin’ – DC at their best. For Those About To Rock may be missing but we don’t think you’ll mind.

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Oliver Cole – We Albatri (Album Review)

Posted in Album Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 31, 2010 by Tickets There


Torn between loyalty and honesty, Tickets There has been dreading the thoughts of writing this review for a long time now. As massive fans of Oliver Cole’s former group, Turn, we’ve never really gotten the same excitement, enjoyment or fulfillment from the singer’s solo material. That being said, Oliver possesses a charm, style and above all, a talent that you just can’t ignore. So here we are, four years after Turns demise, still waiting for Ollie to produce something to fill the void left since their absence. Thankfully, we’re delighted to report that our fears and hesitations have finally been appeased.

Musically, the album gets harder and harder to define with each listen. Tracks like What Will You Do?, Oh My Girl and Too Many People bounce around with quietly restrained catchiness and easy going vibes. Drug Song and Little Bad Dream take their cues from a country backing while more soulful pieces like Close Your Eyes, We Albatri, Spotlight and the excellent Need You Strong are far more stripped back and powerful. Each song possess it’s own unique charm and style but they still manage to blend perfectly together giving the album a great flow.

Lyrically the album is heavy. Moth’s Wing, Need You Strong, Close Your Eyes and Spotlight are filled with sadness and themes of lamenting love, memories and regrets. Oliver’s immense talent for writing extremely personal and profound music combined with his incredibility soulful vocals give the songs a passion and an edge that few in this country can match.  

Unlike other reviewers, Tickets There won’t commit that this album upstages Oliver’s past. However, we’ll say this. We Albatri continues Oliver’s great tradition of writing and recording incredibly passionate and diverse music.  Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish and only improves with repeated listens.

Check Out: Oh My Girl, We Albatri, Too Many People, Little Bad Dream…agh, just buy the album and check em all out.

Oliver Cole’s Official MySpace


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The Redneck Manifesto – Friendship (Album Review)

Posted in Album Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , on March 26, 2010 by Tickets There


Instrumental fans prepare for lift off, The Redneck Manifesto have returned with an album so funked up you’ll be drooling over it for many weeks and months to come. After being announced in late 2008, the band has finally released their first LP since 2004’s I Am Brazil and it’s been more than worth the wait.

Opening with the ambient Black Apple, the album boasts the bands trademark quirky guitars, well built melodies and an overall flow any band would kill for. You’d happily sit back, click this on and never guess it was divided into ten separate tracks. There’s an array of different styles to give each song its own unique hook and appeal. Tracks like Smile More and Click display some heavier techno styles, Little Noise, Drum Drum and Weird Waters delve into the grand old world of funk. The bass lines on Little Noise and Weird Waters are especially tasty and show Richie Egan hasn’t been ignoring his original calling.

Shorter tracks like Tomb of The Dude, Hex , the odd, almost confusingly relaxing Cloud Break and the stand out Rubber Up (Not just a title) finish things off and leave you with a sense that paying money for this album is one of the best things you’ll do this year.

Catch the Rednecks when they play Dublin’s Tripod tomorrow night. Tickets on sale now priced €16.00 and available from ticketmaster.ie

To hear the album for yourself, visit the Irish Times, where it’s currnelty being streamed.

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Sounds of System Breakdown – Sounds of System Breakdown (Album Review)

Posted in Album Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , on March 3, 2010 by Tickets There

The day has finally arrived, Tickets There has gone out and bought some music from those MySpace bands we keep preaching to ye about. A refreshing trip to Tower Records on Sunday replenished our supplies and we can finally knock off the net for awhile, sit back and listen to a good old fashioned CD.

Originally we were convinced we’d be disappointed. Was pretty sure we were euphoric, found these guys and praised them to the heavens while pulsed. Couldn’t remember any of the tracks and hadn’t even reread the review to make sure we really were ecstatic about them at some point. After one spin we knew our toutin’ money was well invested.

Filled with techno Trojan dance beats, indie power riffs, post punk and the occasional moment of surprisingly un-cheesy melodies, the album is a triumph. As debuts go, Sound of System Breakdown have avoided falling into any of the common Irish debut traps. They don’t open with the best, they don’t lose their intensity and they sound damn good.

Songs like the Devil’s Son, 10 Pack of Johnny Blue, Electrolysis and Mood Enhancers and the obligatory instrumental, Jaysyehhaventacluedoyeh are hits in every sense while harder album tracks like The Band Played, the Stone Roses-esque – The Secret’s Out and Underneath The Floorboards will keep you listening long after the catchier ones wear off.

At €14, you can’t really beat it for Value. If you’re in tower, pick this up and if you don’t like it, we guarantee you don’t have to take our recommendations in the future.

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I’ll Eat Your Face – Irritant (Album Review)

Posted in Album Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , , , on March 1, 2010 by Tickets There

Better late than never, Tickets There finally got round to some record buying today and a spit EP by Dublin band, Hands Up Who Wants to Die and, more importantly, Cork metal heads – I’ll Eat Your Face has prompted us to download the latter’s debut album, Irritant. Not to give too much away, but hell howdy are we glad we did.

It may be 03.08AM but we just can’t stop playing this record. In reality, we haven’t been listening to the album itself anywhere long enough to immerse ourselves in each songs character but Tickets There has finally been paying attention to these guys over the last few months and any fans of heavy metal / instrumental rock / metal are going to love this. Every song sounds like the heaviest things that have ever come out of Ireland. Unlike similar acts, there’s little to no hint of Indie. There’s no synths or ballads. There’s no w**king off into self fulfilling ego moments. There’s just grinding, heavier than hell storm bringers. Bring on the might, the fury and the fight!

It ain’t a collection of radio singles and it ain’t a conventional album. Instead, it’s thirty odd minutes of pure assault. Tracks such as Irritant, I Have A Wolf on My Head, Dr. Pancake’s luxurious Ratskin Housecoat and Pecks From hell will send you into a dizzying metal Euphoria while the rest of the album will keep you there.

With the traditional ways of legacy burdened Heavy Metal becoming stale and overly ugly in today’s high definition society, it’s good to know the roots aren’t necessarily the strongest limb anymore.

I’ll Eat Your Face Play Dublin’s Twisted Pepper on March 20th with Ten Past Seven and Hands Up Who Wants To Die

Download Irritant FOR FREE @ This Location

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Humanzi – Kingdom of Ghosts (Album Review)

Posted in Album Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , , , on February 25, 2010 by Tickets There

 
The time is finally upon us folks. The countdown is nearly over and an exhaustive three year wait is almost at an end. Tomorrow, Humanzi release their second album, Kingdom of Ghosts and Tickets There is delighted to say, it was more than worth the wait. Hell we’ll go further, they could have held out for another three years and it still would have been more than worth the wait. Quite simply, it’s the Humazi album we all dreamt it would be.

Opening with the ferocious Hammer, the band waste little time waging war on every one of your senses they can find. It’s a slow bruising thumper of a track that sucks you in on the first spin. The power, energy and sher heaviness of the band’s sound are all still there but the direction and bite in the music has grown so much stronger. An improvement that only grows as the record progresses. Just Like Bukowski has a similar feel. Heavy, pounding bass lines, bluntly distorted guitars against a wall of industrial synth power and Shaun’s gritty cutting vocals shred through the track. “Jesus, Jesus I’m joking”, heck no I ain’t!

Bass Balls may have been released as a single in August 2009 but that hasn’t stopped it from sounding fresh as ever on this record. That irresistible Cathy guitar riff, the pounding war drum and the vocals just make this song fly by at a million miles a minute. Black Sunrise see’s everything slow down but the tone of the song is no less intimidating than their other material. On the contrary, Black Sunrise is one of the most powerful compositions on Kingdom of Ghosts and marks a massive step up for the bands song writing and style. A bellowing bass riff drives the track along its path while the rest of the band create a desolate, unforgiving atmosphere of darkness that only break’s occasionally before the end when the pace increases and the everything comes crashing together to create a solid fusion of colossal harmonies and ascending guitars.

Like Bass Balls, Humanzi fans have been listening to Neu Tune for some time and it’s still pretty sweet here. Wouldn’t be one of the stand outs but on this album, but it ain’t filler either. Neu Tune’s prolonged; dance floor style is a long way from the stripped back, acoustic Amsterdamaged which follows. Padded with noisy muffled drum crashes, a light acoustic guitars and Shaun’s vocals standing up well without layers of music over them. The song has some of the best changes and an upbeat, catchy chorus (Almost all Manzi songs have a catchy chorus, stop saying it every time – Ed).

Straight Lines fires us straight back into what Humanzi do best, balls out rock!. It has one of the best riffs, one of the heaviest and catchiest choruses (What did I say! – Ed) and Tickets There just can’t get enough of this track. We managed to find a download of it months ago and still haven’t been able to stop listening. I’ll Repute is one of the bands defining stomper moments. Dirty war like anthem for all industrial punk dance floors. More accessible than Straight Lines, the song has a great flow, plenty of guitars, a funky bass and plenty of Humanzi’s dark tones. Love it!

Step Into The Shadows brings us towards the end of the album but never fear, they’ve saved some of the best till last. It starts off slowly and the band tease you for the first half as they give of the impression it’s about to explode before going quiet again. Eventually the stomping, beating vocals and guitars smash through, tearing the song apart. All finishes up with monster, galloping guitars.

Baby I’m Burning which is one of Tickets There’s favorites. Imagine Gary Numan covering Joy Division and you get close.  We keep associating it with the scene of the child on fire in Silent Hill and that adds to the creepiness. The chorus is much lighter and heartfelt than the majority of this record but it still sits perfectly on Kingdom of Ghosts. As the song develops they keep adding so many harmonies and changes that you’ll be memorized. How anyone could listen to this once and not click repeat is beyond us!

A few words in German introduce the albums last track, Shorter. Crunchy bass, military styled drums and a pretty direct guitars give early signs that this song means business. A change in the guitars and some added synths keep the suspense going before a restrained verse and chorus finish off one of the best albums Tickets There’s heard in many a moon. Shorter is similar to Neu Tune but the chorus is livelier and it’s a nice way to close of an album that’s almost non-stop chaos from the word go.

It’s punk, its rock; it’s a death disco bonanza of horrors. With Kingdom of Ghosts, Humanzi have proven that they’re only going from strength to strength. The song writing styles have grown far more diverse and been improved so much since the band’s debut album, Tremors. Yet they’ve retained the overwhelming power and raw energy they made their name on. The futures bright, the future is now HUMANZI!

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Tickets There Likes: Whitesnake – Good to be Bad

Posted in Album Review, Music, Tickets There Likes: with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on February 16, 2010 by Tickets There


In 2008, Tickets There had the most horrible test of endurance we’d ever faced. Because of our combined love for Def Leppard and KISS, we put ourselves in a position that involved watching eighties hair metal love gods, Whitesnake, five times within the space of two weeks. Does it get any worse?

The first encounter came in Holland. Whitesnake took the stage and we moved within range to get a peak of what was to come over the next few days. Honestly, wasn’t that bad. Is This Love and Here I Go Again put a smile on our faces and hell, some of the unfamiliar songs were even catchy. Alright, could have been worse but four more times?

A week later TT was in Birmingham and so were the Snake. The Holland experience was a festival so there were escapes available but this was an indoor show, so there was no avoiding them. They came on stage, all white shirts, leather, big hair, full of energy and, well, kind of rocked the place. We recognized alot of the set from Holland and tracks like Still of Night, Bad Boys and Ain’t No Love were beginning to drill their way into TT’s mind.

After two more shows in Manchester and Sheffield we were hooked and by the time the last gig in Newcastle came round, we were firm fans. Whitesnake had not only pacified us, they’d turned us into fully fledged devotees and we’ve loved them ever since. When last year’s Def Leppard Dublin show was announced, we nearly wet ourselves with excitement, but when we realized Whitesnake were playing aswell, there was no nearly about it.

Good to be Bad had just been released a few months before the 2008 tour and the band didn’t shy away from playing almost half of it in their shows. Why would they,  it’s a bloody classic! Live highlights such as Best years, Can You Hear The Wind Blow, Good to be Bad and Lay Down Your Love sound as strong on record as they did when Mr. Coverdale, and co were  in the same room blasting them out. Hard, blues arena rock at its best. Best Years was the show opener for most of the gigs so hearing it again is a welcoming dose of nostalgia and happy memories for TT. Can You Hear the Wind Blow’s unmistakable opening riff and Still of the Night-esqu chorus will grab you by the balls but fear not, Whitesnake wouldn’t want to castrate you….. before the albums finished at least.

Lay Down Your Love is one of the best live songs you’ll hear in an arena. The bands classic Ain’t No Love In The Heart of the City will have to make room for this little slice of power rock. The bluesy guitars, the riffs, the infectious, unforgiving chorus will all thrust themselves upon you with force.

As for the tracks they didn’t put in the set list, there’s no shortage of material to love. Call On Me (Not that one) and Got What You Need are swaggering, balls out rock classics. All For Love is a guitar driven anthem and it’s just laced with Whitesnake’s classic pop perfection. All I Want All I Need is a hark back to the Is This Love Sound while Summer Rain and Till the End of Time are soft, melodic acoustic numbers. Till The End of Time in particular is a stand out.  Last but not least, A Fool In Love is bluegrass hard arena rock. Built on a tasty blues riff, this one should be played at every show the band do in the future. Coverdale’s voice and Doug Aldrich’s guitars are just so captivating, you’re willing to believe anything they want to sell ya and you won’t be disappointed.

Maybe Leppard owned the world of arena rock in 2008 but honestly, Good to be Bad is the real winner. Leppard’s Songs From The Sparkle Lounge was a massive improvement after the Lepp’s let poppy, no joy song writing destroy several of their previous albums but GTBB just skyrocketed Whitesnake back into the hearts of their fans and, as Tickets There can attest to, brought them in some new ones aswell. If you haven’t heard it, we can only say you won’t be disappointed if you pop over to ITunes now and grab it.

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HY-GIY?: Berkeley – Hope, Prayers and Bubblegum

Posted in Album Review, Hy-Giy, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , on December 22, 2009 by Tickets There

 

With the ridiculous turnover of bands we see in this country every year, some of the finest are often slipping into the ‘hiatus’ status before slipping away from consciousness altogether. Unfortunately, when it comes to the end of the year and people start their ‘Best Of’ lists, many acts that thrilled hundreds and thousands around the country just a few years before are too often left off in favor for the current ‘act de jour’. One such band is Donegal’s very own, Berkeley.

When Tickets There first started getting down and dirty in the Irish music scene alllllll the way back in naught two (2002), Berkeley were one of the most exciting, talented and promising acts going. Their debut album, Hope Prayers and Bubblegum was released the year before and through repeated appearances supporting some of the bigger acts going, TT was hooked. In terms of energy, the band resembled the same style of ferociousness on stage as the Future Kings of Spain and on record, they sounded like a undiscovered grunge act more than deserving of their chance at the big time. Fans of The Pixies, Nirvana and Big Black, will be surprised to learn that Mr. Steve Albini was sent a copy of the bands demo’s for the album and he instantly agreed to produce the album for the guys. What you have is one of the best Irish albums of the last ten years, maybe more.

Kicking things of is the chaotic, stripped back New Heavy, an obvious nod to the songs working title. New Heavy sounds like someone placed a few random mikes around the room and told the band to go mental. Very similar to At The Drive In’s style, the band shred and roar their way through some blistering moments of well composed anger. The changes and riffs are top of their game and the bands onstage rawness couldn’t be captured any better.  Not to let things down, the band jump right back with Follow Through which starts off as a full on guitar monster before the bands sublime side show’s itself and suddenly the raw, aggressive guitars are replaced with polished melodies and soft vocals. Within seconds the song’s transformed again as the guitars go to full distortion and once again we’re back in full swing.

One Way Out is a much more somber affair. The song’s composition is much grander than the first two numbers. The verse is similar to Follow Through but the chorus attempts to reach another, deeper level making the song one of the more serious styled numbers on the record. A great tune but it quickly fades away when you hear the funk fueled bass line opening of Explanations. This is a number that’s alot more radio friendly than the previous numbers and the overall production is much tighter during the heavier moments.

Ah hell, buy this album. Tickets There ain’t to tell you what every single track is like (well…you kind of are when you’re reviewing an album – Ed), where’s the magic in that? We guarantee you that if you’re a fan of At The Drive In, The Mars Volta or uplifting-ish grunge, you should like Berkeley. They write brilliant songs, they play well and they disappeared completely about two years ago. Buy their record, show them you love them and maybe we’ll coheres them into returning one day….I just got  a taste of Guinness from a plastic cup in Whelan’s.

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HY-GIY?: Bell X1 – Music in Mouth

Posted in Album Review, Hy-Giy, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , , , on December 14, 2009 by Tickets There

Have to take a break from Guns N’ Roses stories and it’s been too long since I revisited some of the finest albums our local acts have released over the years so let’s turn the spotlight on Kildare’s favorite sons, Bell X1.

I first discovered Bell X1 in March, 2003. I remember the date because it was the month Turn launched their second album, Forward in Vicar Street and they roped in the Bellies as support. I wasn’t overly impressed. I’d heard Neither Am I briefly the year before and hadn’t been too impressed by that either (although Man on Mir will always be amazing). That was my first impression. What made its mark was one of my housemates playing White Water Song nonstop for about two months after the gig and then another housemate constantly playing Alphabet Soup on the guitar every time someone blinked. By September I was turning my favor towards the group and that same month I was back in vicar Street to see Turn only this time they were supporting Bell X1 for their Music in Mouth album launch. Turn were great but admittedly, the night belonged to the headliners despite my love for the Kell’s trio and with that, I was hooked.

A few days later I was back in Sligo and saw a copy of Music in Mouth for sale so I bought it, headed to work thinking I’d some fine listening for the evening. Two minutes later I’d managed to bump into Paul Noonan loading gear out of a truck on O’Connell Street, into a tiny little pub called McGarrigles where the band was playing a show to around a hundred people or less. Bell X1 have been one of Tickets There’s favorite Irish bands ever since our first topsy, turvy year together and just two years after our initial encounter, the band were back in Sligo playing top over 5,000 fans in the Radisson Hotel, once again with Turn as support.

Anyway, that’s our original meeting with the band, now it’s time to discuss the music. Bell X1 have four albums, Neither Am I, Flock, Blue Lights on the Runway and our favorite and the subject of this review, Music In Mouth. I’ve picked this one for three reasons. 1, I’m not a massive fan of Flock and for some reason; I just never got into that much. 2, Neither Am I and Blue Lights On The Runway are great but not as good as MIM and 3, it was the album that got me hooked on the band. The styles on Music In Mouth and the song writing show serious improvements from their debut. The excellent Snakes and Snakes isn’t beloved by all but we like it. It’s a real upbeat, hooky number that displays the band’s talent for wacky yet cohesive musicianship, not to mention their always off the wall lyric choices.

The fantastically catchy Alphabet Soup, with its refined banjo / guitar riffs and its instantly memorable choruses follow and its overdriven, stripped back jumble of instruments after the choruses make this song as enjoyable as it is unique. Taking things back quite a distance, Daybreak presents a much more delicate side of the bands song writing. Not only is it one of the nicest songs on the record, it’s one of the nicest songs the band has ever written and anyone who, like Tickets There, has put this on first thing in the morning will know how good it is to wake up to. Lovely harmonies, lovely playing, lovely flow…and the feedback at the end gives you the final kick you need to wake up.

Off course everyone knows the very famous Eve, The Apple of My Eye. Once again it comes from the softer side of the band. What can you say about this song other than its lovely? You can say it was used during a very (searches for the appropriate PG word)…nice moment during the O.C. which ensures it’ll be a classic for many, many men out there for years to come.  

This puts us right in the ‘album track’ territory of Music in Mouth. Next to You, West of Her Spine and Bound for Boston Hill all make excellent additions to the record but it’s only when the opening notes of Tongue flare up that you realize just how sharp the Bellies song writing really is. Yes they have the knack to write perfectly sublime, enchanting and atmospheric pieces but, they also have a gift for heavy, loud bruising tracks that incorporate all the traits shown on the lighter material but still manage to kick you in the ass. The next track, White Water Song is another very, very good example of this. Chaotic guitars, bucket loads of O.T.T.-ness, Paul’s frenzied lyrics and style and the massive crunching chorus with spiraling guitar driven choruses launch forward gripping the confused first time listeners who were just warming up to the comfort shown on the rest of the album.

In Every SunFlower see’s a return to the land of album tracks but final song, I’ll See Your Heart and Raise You Mine gives the album on of its true highlights. As loveable and gentle as Eve, The Apple of My Eye but less popular making it just that little bit more special.

So that’s it, our review of our favorite Bell X1 record. Have You Got It Yet? No!! Go get it.

(What a corny way to end but I’ll See Your Heart… is still playing so forgive our soppy little words and child like gramm….I mean innocence.

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KISS – Sonic Boom (Album Review)

Posted in Album Review, Music, News with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 8, 2009 by Tickets There

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Alright Tickets There readers. You wanted the best!….but there was a problem with their website so you came here!

Sonic Boom is here folks. KISS, the hottest band in the world have finally released their first album of new material in eleven years. That’s almost as long as Chinese Democracy!!. So, after all the hype, all the arguments and praise. After all the promotion, fanaticism and general shouting, what does Tickets There think of it?? Well, it’s a grower and it’s still growing!!

Kicking things off is the monster riff filled…ehm, monster, Modern Day Delilah, the albums flagship single and one of the heaviest tracks on the record. There’s almost nothing here but the band showing off their talents on the highest possible level. Everything about this song is savage and I think it’s settled into the hearts of KISS fans around the world. Off course everyone will need to see it in action for it to become a regular on the live circuit but musically, it’s got the goods. At first glance, second track Russian Roulette sounds a little Swiss. Gene’s voice isn’t as ferocious as fans would be used to and the bass sounds like it could have been notched up a little and made dirtier. The chorus, well it just sounds a little Nickelback or something. After a few goes it starts to warm up a little and you become more comfortable with it. Not the strongest song on the record and one that may be forgotten further down the line.

Never Enough see’s classic KISS galore back in the frame. Paul shouts his classic ‘Oh Yeah!’ (Which is always a sign of fun things to come’). Dirty, sleazy, bluesy and a sing along chorus. Never Enough is a good solid rock track and Paul’s voice sounds terrific, great solo aswell. Yes I Know (Nobody’s Perfect) has one of those definitive KISS intro’s. Blues rock mixed with the ‘danger’ we all love. Gene takes the mike back again and this time he shows us exactly why we love him. This is classic KISS with a basic message of ‘take off your cloths!’. It’s poppy, fun and Klassic KISS (see what I did? I replaced the C in Classic with K. What, not funny now because I pointed it out? Fair enough). Stand is an odd one. Not really sure if we’re meant to like this one but there’s no denying it’s catchy as hell and full on balls to the wall arena rock! Stanley and Simmons trade of vocals and it works perfectly. Bit dramatic, bit Swiss but damn it this is KISS! Swiss rhymes with their name so they can do whatever the hell they like. Personally, I think this is a deadly track!

Hot and Cold is another of Gene’s tracks and it’s another perfect rock n roll KISS anthem. ‘if it’s too hot, you’re too cold and if it’s too loud, you’re too old!’ What more can I say? Great solo again, classic Paul rhythm and Gene, a Gene, we forgive you for Russian Roulette. Anyone who can say ‘baby feel my tower of power’ is a legend and you can’t get more black and white that that.

All For the Glory is next and it’s sung by Peter Criss replacement, Eric Singer. What’s it like? Different, Eric’s vocals are top notch and the music is spot on. Classic KISS music given a fresh coat of paint with Eric leading the way. Makes a good change of pace and keeps everything running smoothly. Danger Us is a great number. Hard guitars, Stanley front and center and a catchy, excellent fun chorus. It’s everything KISS should be. Mixes references to women, booze and hell raising. If that Ain’t KISS, I don’t know what is. Two parts trouble baby! Gene Simmons comes back with the excellent I’m An Animal. He doesn’t try and growl this one out and instead displays a totally different side to his vocal range during the verse….and he pulls it off. This one could have been plucked right out of Destroyer. The lads have really managed to find their sound again and get back to doing what they love. Some classic Ace sounding guitar work here aswell.

Second last song, When Lightening Strikes makes some good use of a cowbell and some classic seventies American highway blues guitars. Written by Stanley and Tommy Thayer with Tommy taking vocals, the song doesn’t sound like a KISS song in the convention sense. It’s more like something ZZ Top or Free could have come out with. Thayer’s voice is great and really suits the sound, only made better with Paul’s harmonies giving it more scope. Really enjoyable rock n roll track with some great singing and nice guitar work. Final track, Say Yeah’s intro sounds uncomfortably familiar to Bruce Springsteen’s Radio No Where. Then again, he ripped off I Was Made for Loving You last year so now they’re even. The rest of the song is pretty sweet. Another great Ace sounding solo, colossal chorus and general arena filling, good time, KISS traits.

After only being on sale for two days, the album is on track to appear at #1 on the US Billboard Top 100 with sales off 150/175,000. In Tickets There’s opinion, it’s well deserved. Sonic Boom is a great KISS album and one that’s got more than enough material to keep fans digging through it. If 2008 belonged to AC/DC then 2009/10 will belong to KISS.

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KISS – ALIVE IV (PART 4 OF 4)

Posted in Album Review, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 1, 2009 by Tickets There

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Ah, I can’t believe this is the last one already. The sound of the classic ‘You Wanted the Best, You Got the best’ intro is a welcome, welcome return. So, this album was recorded seven years after the Alive III and in that time, the band reformed with their original line-up, played a massive two year world tour and released a studio album entitled Psycho Circus. Oh, and they put the fucking makeup and suits back on!! The legends returned to their thrones and revived one of Rock N Rolls greatest bands. KISS are kings, KISS are Gods, KISS are KISS!!

So, after the intro booms over the PA, the opening chords of Psycho Circus blare out and the band fire things up in rocketing style. Psycho Circus is an absolute gem of a track and without a doubt the best thing to come of their last studio album. Even the mighty Shout It Out Loud doesn’t undermine its impact, despite the fact that the version here is a heaving monster of a thing. Shout It Out Loud is one of about eighty KISS tracks that could take the title for ultimate party anthem. You may notice several repeats on this record from the previous three but I’ll try and keep it interesting J, so come on, ‘Shout It, Shout, It, Shout it out loud! Turn it up Louder baby!’

As always, the amazing Deuce makes an appearance and honestly, a KISS live record or show wouldn’t be the same without this song. In fact, if you ever do go to one of their gigs and they don’t play it, stage a protest and sing songs of freedom….until Gene tells you to stop, then you obey the master and be on your way. I love this song! I meant to write more about the stage theatrics when I was doing the first Alive article and one of the things I wanted to describe was the routine Ace, Gene and Paul do towards the end. You cant really describe it properly though so pop over to this location on YouTube and see if for yourself. Well worth it.

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 Next up, their eighties classic Heavens on Fire, which just doesn’t get old. Kind of a slow start on the recording but they pull through. Next track, Into the Void is another great track from Psycho Circus and legendary guitarist, Mr. Space Ace Frehley himself make it what it is. Ace should do more lead vocals. It may not be the strongest voice in the universe but it’s perfect. Great upbeat rock number and its successor, Firehouse is just as good or else a lot better, I always get those confused :p. I think this is Firehouses first appearance on a Live record so I’ll fill ye in. When the band play this live, the stage lights up with siren flashing lights and at the end, Gene Simmons breaths fire (think it’s this one). The fire breathing is fun, especially since uses a flaming sword to do it. Fuck the haters; Gene Simmons rocks your balls off (wide open TT – Ed).

Do You Love Me is another classic KISS number that really doesn’t need too much explanation. Pretty good job of it done here. Let Me Go Rock N Roll is a brilliant riff/solo filled belter. Ace’s guitar work is incredible here and it’s good to know that, no matter how much time those guys spend apart from one another, that still got it! Tickets There’s beloved I Love It Loud’s up next. You can never get sick of this song. Not really bothered about details for this last one, just enjoying it. Personally I’d recommend just going out and buying these albums rather than reading my reviews, but whatever. Lick It Up, god I love that song. I wonder what Ace and Peter thought about playing it since they weren’t involved on the original. Ah well, it all sounds good.

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Ah, the Stanley penned 100,000 Years. Does it get any better than this? Now the show is in overdrive and the next six (five songs, fuck Beth, we’re not mentioning it – Ed) songs will have you rolling around in your seat. Mental track and possibly the closest thing the band have done to metal or at the very least, it’s a damn fine attempt at it. Love Gun’s next and this is possibly my favorite live recording, even better that the Alive II one. Paul’s voice is shockingly good and the band sound on top form. At the start you can hear Paul mention he’s coming out to the crowd. During their reunion tour, they set up a rig that allows Paul to fly over the audiences heads and land on a small stage towards the back of the arena, stadium..etc.

Black Diamond, Beth (ugh) and Rock N Roll All Night finish the shows off as pyro’s explode away in the back ground and make any listener wish for their chance to stand in one of KISS’s crowds. Amazing stuff, good auld KISS.

Well, I’ve tried. Not sure I succeeded but at least I tried to write something about the magic of this band. They are incredible and with a new album on the way in a few days, you can guarantee KISS will be around for a long time to come.

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KISS – ALIVE III (PART 3 OF 4)

Posted in Album Review, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , on September 30, 2009 by Tickets There

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Well folks, we’re less than a week away from the release of KISS’s new studio album, Sonic Boom. Ya all excited? By the sounds of the album’s first single, Modern Day Delilah, it’s gonna be some monster of a record. To continue celebrating the release, Tickets There is reviewing four of the bands Alive records (well, the last one isn’t technically an Alive! Release but who cares). After all four have been published, we’ll start to discuss promotion methods the band have been pursuing for the release of Sonic Boom and there’ll be a few more things aswell. Once the album is out, you can expect an overly enthusiastic review  to finish things off.

So today we’re looking at Alive III, released in 1993 and recorded during the bands Revenge Tour. Like Alive II, the band worked as hard as possible not to repeat songs from the first two and it worked pretty well. Even the duplicate songs appearing here have a different overall sound to the originals and they are more than worth a listen.

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Foregoing the traditional ‘You Wanted the Best’ intro, the band launch straight into Creatures of the Night, a belting little number that shouldn’t ever be forgotten by KISS-Maniacs. The sound of pyro’s exploding in the back ground is gonna set you up nicely for this one. Paul’s rough n raw voice has more in common with Gene’s than his old style. What a savage track and it’s followed by another classic in the form of Deuce. More explosions and more energy. What a fucking great tune. Every time you hear those opening bars you want to leap onto the nearest stage, kick whatever whiney singer songwriter bitch is pouring their hearts out off and start hammering into this monster. Baby if you’re feeling good!!

Next it’s time for some eighties styled pop/rock/pop KISS, I Just Wanna. Slick guitars, slick vocals, slick stick in your face. Catchy, hooky and deadly. Forget every other pop rock band out there, KISS has em licked in every way possible (including the dirty, naughty ways)…despite the silly little melody bit in the middle. Unholy is one of Gene’s more demonic numbers but still retains some of those pop characteristics we’ll see more of later on. It may be very important to point out that Alive III was recorded almost ten years after the band took the make-up and costumes off. The band decided it was time for the next level and when that came off, everything else changed. They went on to release a massive amount of hit singles that’s style was closer to Def Leppard and Bon Jovi rather than their original material. When they released Revenge in 1992, it brought a darker edge back to the old war horses, Unholy is the perfect example of this and it’s a savage wee number to boot.

Now, let’s discuss some of those puppyish numbers. Heavens on Fire is as poppy as this band get (no it’s not – Ed) and it’s also the closest thing they have to a Spinal Tap track (Livin’ In A Hell Hole anyone?). Despite all that, Heavens on Fire is one of Tickets There’s personal favorites. This is pure, good times pop rock. There’s no poverty, no preaching and not one hint of recycling, carbon footprints or depressed souls laying dormant in the unused attic, or any of that other shit bands preach about these days. Watchin’ You is next and it’s more like a blues rock classic with some good auld fashioned pop sensibilities thrown in for good measure. Gene sings and like I always say, if Gene sings, shut up and listen. Same applies for the next track, Domino. Once again Gene takes control and it’s another of those Revenge songs that shows KISS heading back in a more hard rock direction from their eighties output. Make-up or no make-up, those boys could f**king write some classics.

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Another of those classics is I Was made for Loving’ You. Yes KISS did Disco in the late seventies and yes this is one of the better ones. Like I said before, if KISS do it, it’s fine. I Still Love You on the other hand is a very respectable, more serious number. Blues kind of Alt-ish-big stadium kind of rock. That make sense? Ah well, Rock N Roll All Night is next and let’s be honest, an Alive album wouldn’t be an Alive album without this track. Strange they’re playing it so soon in the set but not a bad thing. KISS mixes things up ya see 😉

Back to those lovely eighties classics. Everyone knows Lick It Up and everyone loves it. Anyone who doesn’t love it has something wrong so avoid those people. How could you not love Lick it Up? It’s so damn good it hurts!. I can understand people not liking the next track, Forever. Real stadium anthem styled ballad but a good one.  How many of you guys like to look at naked women? How many of you girls like to go home with somebody….and get naked! Take it Off , it does exactly what it says on the tin!

Now…now, now, now. Alright!….you know this one, sing it! I Love it Loud, possibly the best song Gene has ever sang on. Possibly the best song KISS ever wrote. Ok, so it’s not the best but it’s so fucking good you will happily sacrifice eighteen weeks of your life so you can continuously listen to this baby on repeat. Amazing sing along stuff. I remember I first heard this on a KISS dvd and I must have rewound it about twenty times and just listened to it all night. The live version on AIII is incredible, Hard, slow, beating and LOUD!! This brings us near to the close of the show and Detroit Rock City pops its head up to give us a smile. Great bass line over this version that’s far more prominent than the versions on the previous Alive and the Destroyer. Quite different and the band have updated it a wee bit so it sounds a little closer to their eighties style but still damn, damn good.

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Second last track, God Gave You Rock N Roll II is an anthem if ever there was one. Great way to end a show as Gene and Paul swap vocals the whole through. May not be for everyone but it’s fun. Then everything closes on an the Star Spangled Banner!

So, that’s the original Alive I – III albums reviewed. Next, Tickets There is going to lie a little by doing a review of what should have been Alive IV but in fact, it ended up being released as the ‘Millennium concert’ and the Alive IV title went to the KISS symphony album. Who cares, it TT@s book, it’s the real Alive Iv ;)….and also, I never got the symphony album. Maybe I could just review the DVD, same songs. Hmmm.

Oh, and just to confirm, KISS still kept the theatrics,, despite not having the makeup.

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KISS – ALIVE II (PART 2 OF 4)

Posted in Album Review, Music with tags , , , on September 29, 2009 by Tickets There

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OK, so that’s the mighty Alive! Out of the way, let’s have some real downright dirty KISS styled fun.
Alive  II was released in 1977 and recorded during the bands Love Gun Tour. By this time, KISS had released another three iconic albums. 1976’s Rock N Roll Over and Destroyer and 77’s Love Gun. Combined (and individually for that matter), these three albums had more anthems, more hard rock classics and more balls fired energy than any other band could ever dream off.

Opening with the amazing, the incredible and the utterly unstoppable Detroit Rock City. One (can’t really say two), finds it hard to imagine KISS without this song in their repertoire. This is the band at their finest and like many of their other hits, remains on of rock n rolls greatest assets. If you’ve heard this song and you weren’t converted then there’s quite simply no help out there for ya. You’re alone in the world, abandoned by all things holy and fun. Give it another go J.

King of the Night Time World comes straight from Destroyer and shows its might Live power on Alive II. Knowing this is the Love Gun tour is a tough thing for anyone who wasn’t there to actually enjoy it. In the background of all these guitars, drums, bass notes and vocals there’s a stage show going on that was so powerful, it’s energy could bring people back from the dead (but only if  its harnessed and used correctly by top men and military scientists). Ladies Room is a savage we number. Not a regular KISS fanatic favorite but one of Tickets There’s pet likes. Good riff, fun theme and the whole sha bang.

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Makin’ Love is a poppy little rocky number. Not as great as the next song but pretty feckin’ sweet all the same. Love Gun is one of those incredible, unstoppable, unbeatable, un-everything in the whole fecking universe, amazing KISS classics. This is the point where you have to stop and ask, where can you go from this? The live recording on Alive II is fantastic, the solo’s, the riffs, the belting snare drum and crashing symbols and all those other music journalism cliché’s. The music is just savage. Now a days, the band deliver this same perfection while playing it and even manage to send Paul flaying out over the crowds head to a specially built stage at the back of crowd.

Calling Dr. Love’s next and continues to prove that KISS mix cheese and music like Ozzy mixes credibility with rodent killing. That make sense? No, well what I meant was KISS are a great band. Christine Sixteen is a classic not heard enough anymore. Any song that Gene sings on is a KISS classic and should be added to the set list no matter what! Same for Paul’s material. All KISS set lists should by 1,456 songs in length and include every single theatric the band have ever conceived during every single song. Get ready for the greatest 572 hour gig ever!!! (Don’t do the math, I’m being dramatic again)

Mr. Space Ace steps up to the mike next and the band crash into Shock Me! Now, Ace’s voice may not sound impressionably strong here but wait for the first chorus to kick in and you’ll see how perfectly it fits. He’s not the lead singer so don’t expect Paul  and Gene quality but it’s still KISS (and they still sing backing vocals ;)) After Ace shows his stuff, Peter gets his turn and performs the classic Hard Luck Woman, one of KISS’s best acoustic tracks that started life as a Stanley written, Rod Stewart rejection. There’s hope for us all. Tomorrow and Tonight and the amazing Stole Your Love come along next and beat the shit out of you. That simple. Stole Your Love is the best choice of song to play for anyone asking, what’s KISS?

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Beth is being skipped for personal bias and reasons. One of their biggest hits but truly loathed by Tickets There. So moving swiftly along to…God of Thunder. Oh god yes!!. Another one of Gene’s (wow, he actually has a lot). This is yet another classic from their iconic Destroyer album. A great recording and it’s sped up a wee bit which works well. During the bands lives shows, Gene flies up to the top of the stage to play this after he’s done his bass solo with blood spitting. I Want You’s next and it’s a little quieter than most KISS material….until everything comes crashing together at the one time. There’s riffs, there’s solo’ there’s even some pings thrown in for good measure. Also, for a laugh, sing along with Paul when he asks you at the end. Or else you can Shout it Out Loud!!

All American Man wouldn’t be one of my favorites but fellow patriotic stomper, Rockin’ In The U.S.A.is a great poppy rock number. Not one of KISS’s best but pretty sweet. Larger than Life is, I’m afraid, a great song. Perfect one to understand Gene’s character. Rocket Rides grand but not their best and Any Way You Want It…well that’s not great either but you trying releasing two live albums in two years without repeating more than one song and see how you like it!.

Thankfully the band finishes on a high note with Rock N Roll All Night. Two years later and it’s still the ultimate party song. Next up in the KISS series is Alive III, released after the band had stopped wearing the make-up. Till tomorrow then, have a good evening.

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