June 2006 Archives

One of my most favorite quotes of all time hails from the German philologist, philosopher, and fellow Libran, Friedrich Nietzsche, who stated, “Without music, life would be a mistake.”  And like most, if not all, of us Librans, we thrive for the finer things in life.  Also, it is no secret that one of the best things in life is the power of self-expression.  Ultimately, that leads to the arts, but the best piece of the arts is definitely music.  No matter what language you speak, whether you’re rich or poor, or if you’re healthy or ill, the one common denominator that totally, without a doubt, unites the world as one, is the power of the glorious song and sound.

If y’all haven’t realized by now, music is my lifeblood.  Whether it’s on the radio, in the car, an online stream, an audio file, a CD, a record or even a cassette tape, something’s always playing.  I don’t reckon a single moment in my life when it’s been silent, unless of course, I’m asleep.  It’s been that way since I was three years old, and over time, music has become such a part of me that others have acknowledged it as not only as an extension of who I am, but also, how I choose to be defined.

Every so often, a recording will emerge which, without knowing, will change me or alter my mind in some way. Perhaps it marked a special time in my life, or reminds me of someone I hold very dear.  Whatever the case may be, it’s albums or songs like those that require special attention to be heard, listened to, and in the end, held sacred.

On that note, I’d like to introduce the newest album to enter my “Swan Song Hall of Fame,” if you will:  Keith Caputo’s Heart’s Blood on Your Dawn.

Overall Review. I feel I have come full circle regarding my love and appreciation for Keith’s work.  Although his involvement with Brazilian band Freax was quite intriguing, the home-recorded Perfect Little Monsters did take some getting used to. By that point, I wasn’t sure where Keith was mentally, thus musically, or if he would ever dive into a full-fledged studio ever again.  My faith, however, was renewed immensely with the live recordings collection, Live Monsters, and well, with that came a great review.

I suppose it was a natural progression for Keith to jump back into recording an album professionally again.  After Life of Agony completed their Broken Valley tour in Europe, Keith stayed behind and recorded this glorious record.  I started mentioning this information back in January, and immediately became more and more stoked to hear what the “lil’ guy with the big voice” had in store for his listeners this time around.

All right, I know I’ve given a lot of backstory so far.  By now, I’m sure you’re wondering what my initial reaction was.

Well people, this is what happened:  On the day the album arrived, I opened it up, and took off the shrinkwrap.  I took a gander through the booklet, and read through the liner notes.  I then proceeded to pop the CD into the player for one solid zone-out.  After it was done, I took it out, put it back in its Digipak®, and put it away with the rest of my Caputo CDs.

And that was it.

I couldn’t listen to it for the next four days.  Certain songs hit so close to home that it literally made me nauseous. I just never expected the CD to take such a wallop to my mind, heart and stomach.  I mean, shit, I was mentally skewed for four days!!! Why, because once again Mr. Caputo has managed to make a record that is all about self-reflection.  It felt like someone put a full-length mirror right in front of me, and I was forced to take a hard-ass, long look at my life.  I pondered quite deeply, and thought about everything I’ve ever been through, and about the people who really made an impact on my life.  I cried, I gagged, but ultimately, I completely understood where it was all coming from.  I became one with this album, and in turn, understood a lot more about myself.

What’s very surprising is how after I put the CD away, this review just came to me.  It was already in my mind.  Something along that magnitude never happened before, so you definitely know this record is extremely special.  You can hear it so clearly in every iota of Keith’s voice as he belts out such carefully, yet perfectly scribed lyrics.  However, take note that not every tune is sad.  By all means, there are some true shining moments here.  You’ll have a chance to learn all about it as you continue to read on.

It really is my sincerest hope that if you choose to accept this Heart’s Blood… mission, it shall affect and do the very same thing to you.  I do not believe that phenomenal albums have to take time to “grow” on you to acquire a liking to them. If that’s the case, you’re just trying to convince yourself to like the music, and that is something I guarantee this recording will break you out of.  As with films and television, the first fifteen (15) seconds are the most crucial, because it will either make or break the project.  I apply that same rule of thumb here.

And with that, I present to you the thirteen (13) gospels that, when bound together, becomes the latest Book our Messiah has brought forth to His people:  Heart’s Blood on Your Dawn.

Departure into the New Affection & New Noise.  Opening the “sermon” are these initial twenty-seven (27) seconds which sounds as if Keith and the band just walked onto a stage, no applause, and instruct the lighting guy of this club they’re in to turn on the lights while everyone just gets to their gear, and does a quick tune-up.  Of course, the same could be said if they just walked into the studio and decided to record this whole album in one take.  Either or, you decide.

“Is everyone ready?”

Mother.  Wasting no time whatsoever, the CD dives right into the first of several “bucket songs.”

What is a “bucket song,” you ask? It’s what you’ll need when a tune gets a lil’ too heavy emotionally.  You’ll come across several of those on this record, so be prepared.

Keith’s vocal delivery is the big winner here, starting around thirty-five (35) seconds in.  He has so much emotion being produced by his vocal cords that it feels as if someone dropped a big ol’ brick into the pit my stomach while drilling a fuckin’ corkscrew straight from the front, underneath my rib cage, puncturing through the left lung, and right into the heart.  Ahh, such glory.  You can literally feel that comin’ right off Keith’s singing; maybe in his mind he has the same thing going on?

Accompanying this pain, however, is some stellar music.  There’s nothing like choosing a hardcore, depressive-sounding song to set the overall theme, eh? Believe me, though; it’s worth the agony. After you take your four-day break, bring out the CD again, but this time, listen to it in bed.  You’ll have no problem dedicating an hour of your beauty rest to engross yourself some more.  It’s a different, yet still similar experience, and it’ll allow you to listen on any given day in the future.
 
Monkey.  Luckily, the third track moves you into a more upbeat, positive-sounding environment.  I don’t think I could’ve handled the corkscrew much longer.

I’m very happy with this tune; I dig it a ton.  Allow me to discuss why.

Firstly, and probably the most obvious, is the music.  It reminds me of driving a convertible with the top down on a beautiful, sunny day.  Can’t you feel the wind all around you?  In your hair, your face—it’s quite rejuvenating.

Lyrically, however, there seems to be a completely different painted picture, as if perhaps our Messiah has been burned or taken advantage of one too many times, and now he’s explaining exactly how he feels.

Within that explanation, though, I find there are a number of exceptionally well-written verses that caught my ear right away.  Lines such as, “I don’t like the way you love me, something there’s been lost,” (1:17) and, “Can’t ya hear me cryin’, can’t you see the state I’m in,” (2:08).  One more, if I may? I really enjoy the carrying out of, “…and if life should go, shed no tears.” (2:51).

Okay, you get the point. Lyrics and music are both pure greatness.

Ramshackle.  Upon the very first time hearing this song, it sounded so familiar. Why? Could it have been something recorded on a previous album? No, I don’t recall that. I heard it from an interview Keith did way back in 2000.  He mentioned he was feeling ill, but was still able to muster some energy to sing a few songs, with this one being first.  It was just Keith and his acoustic, and although he felt shitty, he managed to produce a really good rendition.  I’ve been partial to it ever since, and although this recording is a great version as well; my mind still goes back to that radio performance.  I also remember the title being different as well, something along the lines of “Pick a Tender with No Reply.”

As a whole, I wouldn’t say this is a gut-punch of a tune, but lyrically, the verse, “My girl, I can’t live without her / Her soul,  I’ll sink without her,” can be quite askew, so I look forward to hearing that when it comes up.

Droom Kleuren.  Continuing on this amazing emotional journey, here is a song I really, really love, and for some reason, can really appreciate.  On that note, it’s easily dubbed  “bucket song number two.”

What makes “Droom Kleuren,” or “Dream Colors” in Dutch, so great is all the action! So much goes on here; as there are lots to appreciate and immerse into.  Starting with the overall Johnny Cash vibe of the music, to the vocal delivery—yes, the vocals are dynamite.  I also love the entire lyrical embodiment, but again, there are certain lines that really stand out.  Examples of those would be, “Well, I’m gonna load my guns, and have myself a little fun / Gonna getcha back in return,” (0:44), and what I consider to be the chorus, “Yes, and we have gone a long, long way / And I don’t ever wanna see that pretty face again,” (0:56).  My “corkscrew” part would be the verse after that regarding Christmas.

I have to admit this is a really superb tune.  I love listening to it over and over.

Lamb to the Slaughter (Heart’s Blood on Your Dawn, Part I).  By this point, you’re going to feel as if you’ve been riding the emotional roller coaster one too many times, but you see? That’s the whole point of this record.  There’s a ton to just fade out to.

One very important aspect of this tune is the very good lesson it portrays to every artist out there.  Regardless of how you choose to express yourself—music, painting, writing, dance, etc.—you don’t mimic your influences; you showcase them originally.  It’s extremely present with this song, as I totally detect vibes of Pink Floyd, John Lennon, The Doors and maybe even The Beatles, all meshed into one big sound.

As far as the track goes, I love it.  Everything just works, from Keith’s angst-driven vocals, to the militant-style of the music.  Once again, the lyrics are the icing on the cake.  It’s another tune I can keep playing indefinitely.

How Happy is This Heart of Mine? Perfect, throw in a lil’ electronic mind-twist, and if you listen real closely, I’m somewhat positive there’s some super-distorted faraway voice saying something or other.  It’s a good distraction from how abrupt the previous song ended, and a clear, smooth preparation into the next.

I Wanna Fly (Heart’s Blood on Your Dawn, Part II).  Oh boy.  Not only will you need the bucket for this one, but also break out a box of Kleenex®, because this is an extreme heart-ripper.

I’m so amazed how the track sequencing thus far is practically right on the money.  You’ve got lots of emotional goodness up and down the board, but when you reach the midpoint, you have something severely sad, gloomy and depressive to totally slow everything down.

So many visuals come to mind; from how this song could be performed, to what the lyrics could translate to.  Sometimes when I listen to this song in bed, my synthesasia kicks in hard.  It sounds like a mix of an apology and explanation lyrically.  Musically, I’m always finding myself hearin’ the acoustic guitar in my head, even when I’m listening to something else, or nothing at all.

Always.  Wow, talk about another mental shift! Hahaha, I have to really laugh here, because it’s happening again, but this time, there’s some humor on the table.

What’s so crazy is how this fantastic song reminds me of the Elvis Presley hit, “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” I mean, really!!! Listen to the Presley song, and then come back to this one, or vice versa, because it works either way.  I don’t know, but to me, there seems to be some sort of Elvis reference goin’ on.

Exceptional track sequencing rears its head again, because after everything I’ve gone through with all the other songs, it’s nice to have another driving-with-the-top-down tune.

I really dig the lyrics here as well, especially the line, “It’s getting lonely, on in the rain,” and Keith’s vocal delivery yet again makes it a thousand times more juicy.  Who else can sing songs like this, or let alone try to? No one I know of, because only Mr. Caputo has the guts to pull it off so perfectly.

Of course, I am not going to rule out the opening verse, “And if my plane happens to crash, know in your heart, that I’ve always loved you.”  That line really brings a smile to my face, although it shouldn’t because of the content, but hehe, it’s cute!  I enjoy this one a ton, and it’s a fun song to sing along to.

Fix Pop Bang Shot.  Uh oh, watch out, because now I’m gettin’ giddy.

I like this song a lot; it’s a good tune for another zone-out.  Even though its vibe is kind of poppy, for some reason I get the feeling the meaning behind it sounds like it could be penned in regards to Keith’s Pa, but that’s just an assumption.  It just has this “draggy” feel.  It also sounds like it could easily belong on Perfect Little Monsters.

What I love most is how this track ends—it just kicks into a jam session that segues into the next song.

Kill with God.  Wow, now this I like a lot!!!

I’m quite certain this is the hardest song on the record.  And with that rockin’ groove, comes a real hot set of lyrics to match.  Honestly, there’s nothing more for me to say! How about you listen and tell me what you feel?

Livin’ the Blues.  In 1995, I cried to Keith’s beautiful homage to his mom with “Let’s Pretend.”  In 2006, Keith deeply salutes both parents with this, and you know what? It’s my utmost favorite track on the record.

I totally relate, and agree with my favorite lyric, “..the pain sure brings out the best,” because it is so damn true.  Has anyone ever noticed that any of Keith’s tunes specifically written about one or both parents are always the absolute best material ever? I just love it.  I’m in love with loving it.

It’s just outstanding work here.  I have nothing else to say to showcase its beauty.  It carries the trademarks that make a Keith Caputo song so fuckin’ yummy:  Starting off slow, then build up to the climax, hang out up there for a lil’ bit, and then come back down again.  Brilliance.

What I also enjoy is how once again in the liner notes, we have the same picture of the ’rents that was featured in the Japanese import of Died Laughing, except now it’s in color.  I love this picture; I love how Keith is virtually a spittin’ image of his dad, yet carries his mom’s smile.

It’s songs like these that need to be left alone, because they have the ability to speak volumes all on their own.

Our Moon, Our Stars (The Shakes).  After all the emotional craziness, and after all the bipolar-like mental shifts, it’s time to touch down and land back to the beginning.  And that’s exactly what is done right here at track number thirteen.

According to the liner notes, this song was specifically written for “Zamp and Dana,” so of course, there are things that most will not know as far as the meaning behind the lyrics.  It really is a rather ambiguous tune, so a vast range of interpretations can be made.

Nevertheless, the song itself is enjoyable, and carries the same sadness “Mother” does.  On a visual note, I can see Keith singing this tune while sitting under a weeping willow tree really late at night.  I don’t know why that comes to mind, but it does, so let’s just leave it at that.

It honestly is a fitting close, and that’s all there is to it.

Sometimes music just does that, you know?

Check out the samples below (they illustrate what was discussed above).  Heart’s Blood on Your Dawn, as well as Live Monsters, are currently available for sale.  Buy ‘em now by clicking this link, and let ‘im know I sent you!