Fearless, Taylor Swift’s second studio album, saw the then-country super star rise to new heights.
Read moreA Love Letter to Billy Talent's Self-Titled Album
In 2003, music was at a bit of a standstill. Radio was dominated by alternative pop acts like Avril Lavigne and Alanis Morissette. It was a year too early before Green Day’s American Idiot, catapulting punk rock back to the mainstream, and the mid-2000’s pop-punk and emo favourites had yet to make their breakthrough. If there were any rock bands out there being taken seriously, it was either too early, or too late.
But that year, four punk kids in a band called Billy Talent released their debut album. It’s been fifteen years since we went down into the River Below with a band that gave us an album that was a breath of fresh air. Raw, unique, and on the cusp of something great.
But what was so special about this record? How is it that after all this time Billy Talent’s debut has still managed to be so relevant? Why are people still talking about it? What makes fans gravitate to it still? For whatever the reason may be, it can go without saying that the eponymous album is as real as it gets. Each song is cohesive, giving a natural flow to the record. It’s polished, but still punk. It’s rough, but pleasant. Clean but gritty.
Whether it was the thrashing chords from Ian D’Sa, a tandem of thundering bass and drums from Jon Gallant and Aaron Solowoniuk respectively, or the pierced wail from Ben Kowalewicz, this quartet managed to created a distinctive sound that was so enticing you couldn’t stop listening.
Billy Talent was full of hits from start to finish, something that’s often challenging for a new band. The album erupted on the airwaves on the back of main singles Try Honesty, River Below, and Nothing to Lose, all of which received heavy rotation on rock radio. But it was tracks like This is How It Goes, Standing in the Rain, and The Ex, that still, to this day, carry the strength that an average single would. That’s a rare specialty.
Perhaps one of the best things about Billy Talent as a band was, and is, their no-bullshit attitude, and their debut album is no exception. The lyrics on this record are honest and genuine. There is no sugar coating, there is no skimming. As Kowalewicz screams in Line and Sinker “what you see is what you get.” And it doesn’t stop there. Some other examples from the album…
“Everybody is tired and poor and sick of trying,”
“Don’t you tell me what you think is right”
“Today I don’t feel pretty and I’m tired of trying to fit right in”
The lyrics created authentic story telling that listeners could grab on to. It wasn’t fluffy and fake. It was straight to the point, whether you liked it or not, a concept that the band still carries in their music to this day.
The screamo-punk style may have toned down over the years in exchange for a more rock approach, and the lyrics are a little less angsty and a little more political, but they haven’t lost the snarl that made them so recognizable, many years ago.
I’ve had the absolute pleasure of falling in love with a multitude of bands, but Billy Talent is one of the few that stick out for me. I discovered them during the summer of 2005, when I attended an arts camp that was shared with one of the local high schools. The space was shared by both campers and students enrolled in summer school. Because we used the portable classrooms, we had to go into the school if we needed to use any facilities. One time when I was passing by on my way to the water fountain, I saw a couple of teenagers walk in the opposite direction, one of them wearing a Billy Talent shirt. Nothing about it was particularly exciting, it was just the album art in a purple backsplash. But something compelled me to keep that band’s name in mind. I was 11 or 12 at the time, and was eager to start listening to new music. I went home that night, and it took off. I might not be able to pinpoint the exact song of theirs I first listened to, but it was unlike anything I had ever heard before. The music was fast and loud, packed with energy and emotion in every song, and I kept asking myself who was this guy screaming?! I didn’t know, but I needed to find out.
I received the album as a graduation gift in grade six. Faithful listening the year prior thanks to the likes of Much Music had me grow into a dedicated fan. I can confidently say that album lived in my CD player for the next year. When Billy Talent was released, I was a couple of years too young to properly appreciate it. I was only eight or nine years old, and hadn’t fully dipped my toes in punk rock music. That said, after receiving it, and listening to it, indulging in every aspect it had to offer, I felt like I was with this band from the beginning.
From there, it’s been over ten years in the making. I’ve quite literally grown up with this band. Each of their albums that followed have been there at significant points in my life. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of my best friends thanks to this band. I’ve also had the honour of seeing them live over ten times (the most from any band I’ve seen), with each show better than the last. It’s also thanks to Billy Talent that I went on to discover some of my favourite bands, including, but not limited to, Alexisonfire, Against Me! Death From Above 1979, and Anti-Flag. I even had the opportunity to interview Ben ahead of the release of Afraid of Heights. Talk about coming full circle.
When it comes to music, and falling in love with bands and singers, everyone should always have those few artists they really identify with. The ones that holds a special place in their heart, ones that carry memories and most of all, has music that will make your heart soar. I could not be more grateful for the fact that Billy Talent will always be one of those bands to me. Their music has been there through some of the best and worst times in my life, and I’m so pleased in knowing that it’ll likely stay that way. I don’t think I’d be half the fan I am today if it wasn’t for their debut album, that not only exposed me to them, but a whole new world of music I might not have otherwise known. It was as if my early teen years were detailed in the liner notes, all my emotions gathered in the music, spooled together to help create something that helped to make me feel. And for that, I am grateful.
NOW PLAYING: Diet Cig
Hey gang!
Today on the blog I'm talking all about my latest musical obsession: Diet Cig.
Diet Cig are a two piece pop-punk band from New York. The band consists of Alex Luciano on guitar/vocals and Noah Bowman on drums. They have two albums out, an EP called Over Easy, and a full length titled Swear I'm Good at This. I've been listening to them for about 2 months now and I'm hooked!
I stumbled upon Diet Cig after seeing a tweet from Exclaim! magazine sharing the music video for their song Harvard. There was something about how fun and upbeat the music that was something you could both dance around to in your bedroom, but also find yourself moshing to at a show. What's also kind of intriguing about their music is that Alex has a very soft, sort of indie-pop voice, but in a split second could jump to a raw sing-yelling, which kicks up the attitude in the music.
If you're looking for a fun dance-punk band to listen to, I'd highly recommend Diet Cig. The more I listen to their music, the more I find myself finding new parts I like, which is one of my favourite qualities when listening to music.
I've left the video for their song Harvard below, and their socials as well. Be sure to check them out because I have a great feeling about this band and that they're only going to go up from here. In the meantime, I'm gonna patiently wait until they announce a Toronto show.
Taylor Swift's 13 Best Deep Cuts
Hi everyone!
In case you've been living under a rock, Taylor Swift announced her new album, with single to follow in the next day or so! After having been almost three years since her last release, this week she completely cleared out her social media, deleting all Instagram posts and tweets, and even clearing out all of her display pictures and unfollowing on all social platforms. She has since then posted some very criptic videos of what appears to be a snake. On Thursday she announced her new album 'Reputation' would be out November 10th. With all of that in mind I figured I'd comb through her catalogue and pick out 13 (cause it's her favourite number) of some of her best deep cuts. Here we go!
Cold As You
Probably her most country-grounded album to date, Taylor Swift's self-titled debut album often slips under the radar as this was before her boost to success that would follow with her sophomore album. That said, her debut does feature prominent singles like Teardrops on My Guitar and Tim McGraw, but it's tracks like Cold As You which cut deep with lyrics of someone who has let you down (be it relationship or friendship). With a chorus going "What a rainy ending given to a perfect day/just walk away/ain't no use defending words that you will never say", this song delivers the sadness of what it feels like to lose someone based on how they treat you.
Tell Me Why
Approaching her second studio album, Fearless becomes slightly less country as Swift gets her toes wet with a bit of pop tweaked in. This era we saw her instant rise to fame when she released Love Story and You Belong With Me, but its the deep cuts of Fearless that makes this album very sonically cohesive. Seen as one of her most country songs off Fearless, Tell Me Why takes a look at a very manipulative and controlling relationship, without actually mentioning its a relationship, one of the very reasons this makes for a great deep cut. Fans have found a way to identify with the lyrics from this song and relate them to a relationship, but also relating to relationships with friends and parents. Lyrics like "I'm sick and tired of your attitude/I'm feeling like I don't know you/you tell me that you want me/then cut me down" is her big F YOU to anyone who thinks its okay to knock others down.
Untouchable
Featured on the Fearless platinum edition, this song features Swift in her purest form of vocals and acoustic guitar. This song is the yearning of wanting to be with someone, but they are, as she says "untouchable". Sung in a soft whisper, with the gentle plucks of guitar strings (and some versions with a light drum beat), this song is one of Swift's most stripped down numbers, proving that just her lyrics and a guitar are enough to strike a literal chord with her audiences.
Dear John
Perhaps one of her most underrated album to date, Speak Now was Swift's prime when it came to deep cuts. Entirely written by herself, and all before she's barely 20, Speak Now brought some of the realest lyrical content from Swift, and perhaps may have been some of her best work to date. And although she did have several hit singles (Mine, Mean) it's 6 minute stories (yes, I'm saying stories, not songs, because these ones come off just as that) that help to truly make her songwriting skills shine. Allegedly written about her relationship with John Mayer, Dear John does the perfect job of encompassing how what you may have thought a good relationship would be, takes a dark turn, with a lot of blame game at play. Lyrics "Maybe it's me and my blind optimism to blame/or maybe it's you and your sick need to give love then take it away" are proof of just that. That said, there are hints of a sour relationship where the value isn't present on both sides with the song opening "long were the nights when my days once revolved around you" followed shortly by "wondering which version of you I might get on the phone tonight." The musicality of the song goes from the shy and scared, to mustering the courage to leave as the final chorus approaches and Swift is heard wailing "I'm shining like fireworks over your sad empty town".
Never Grow Up
Taylor Swift has been notorious for writing about relationships, but she doesn't get the credit she deserves in her songs about life, which yes, if you look through her music, she most definitely writes about. Never Grow Up is further proof of just that. This song navigates how you start off as a young child, being so small and having no idea what the world has in store, to approaching being a teen and wanting to figure out your life, to the inevitable moving out on your own and realizing how you in fact, never wanted to grow up. Another track of Swift and guitar, this beautiful song is often a fan favourite for its very real content that every single person goes through.
Haunted
Often credited as her most "magical" album, Speak Now toys with a lot of lyrics and musical arrangements that make this album sound slightly different than her previous. Haunted is one of those perfect examples. With a very dramatic intro of powerful drums filled in with precise string arrangements, upon first listen you may think you're in a dark, and well, haunted forest. The song focuses on how you may think you have someone figured out, and even though they ignore you, something keeps you holding on. A fan favourite due to its spectacular live performance, this track is often one of Swift's first steps into a darker tone, one that she's never really explored before.
Last Kiss
One of the last tracks off Speak Now, Last Kiss is a fan favourite. Supposedly about her relationship with Joe Jonas, this song is the aftermath of a breakup. Leading with a very low mellow drum beat and soft guitars, Swift tells this song like a story, reflecting on the highlights of their relationship. "I still remember/the look on your face" and "that July 9th/the beat of your heart/it jumps through your shirt/ can still feel your arms". The bridge builds with the gut retching realization that this relationship is over. Most notably in the lyrics "so I'll watch your life in pictures/like i used to watch you sleep" and "I'll feel you forget me like I used to feel you breathe", finally ending with "you can plan for a change in the weather in town/but I never planned on you changing your mind", have left many fans pegging this one as some of her best song writing to date.
State of Grace
The opening track to her fourth studio album, Red, State of Grace is the introduction to what the rest of the album serves. As Red is often known as her most heartbreaking album, State of Grace is before the heartbreak sets in. How love can come out of the blue and how it can ultimately change someone, which it clearly did for Swift during that time (as it was alleged she was dating Jake Gyllenhaal). At the same time, Swift sings about how something so fast and tumultuous can be "brave and wild". The intro drum beat with slight guitar strums before her vocals kick in, make for an excellent intro. The song ends with the reminder of "love is a ruthless game, unless you play it good and right".
I Almost Do
Serving as the middle ground for Red, I Almost Do is one of the handful of tracks from Red that often seem to get swept under the rug. Perhaps due to its lack of catchiness and mellow rhythm, however this song is one that brings a true and honest moment that anyone has experienced post-breakup. I Almost Do is about wanting to call a former lover, but knowing you can't, and although there are so many things you want to say to them, you can't given the circumstances. The song is filled with wondering if your S/O has been thinking about you, how they perceive you now, and the general feeling of wanting to turn back to a time when it was easy. The chorus has Swift singing with the ache of "I just wanna tell you/it takes everything in me not to call you/and I wish I could run to you/and I hope you know that/every time I don't/I almost do".
Holy Ground
Holy Ground is one of those rare Taylor Swift tracks when she reflects on a relationship, and instead of being bitter, makes it a positive look back. Holy Ground is about looking back on a relationship that, although may have been a bit rocky, eventually ended up being a great lesson learned. Proof lyrics include "darling it was good/never looking down/and right there where we stood was holy ground". And although Swift pin points specifics that the relationship did fall apart, she brings about how she sees "your face in every crowd". And although perhaps there may be a sense of wanting, there is something hidden in the way the music is arranged that makes it come across as happy, and that things are okay without having to go back.
Girl At Home
Featured on the deluxe edition of Red, Girl At Home shows Swift acting as 'the other girl'. The storyline is of a guy trying to put the moves on, but Swift is aware he has a girl back home, and instead of tempted by persuasion, she tells him to leave her alone and return to what he already has. What makes this stand out in such a particular way, is that the lyrics mention that Swift herself was once the "girl at home" when she sings "it would be a fine proposition if I hadn't once been just like her".
All You Had to Do Was Stay
Taylor Swift prepped 1989 for her fans by saying this album was going to be more about life and less about relationships, and that for certain, it was going to be pop. And while the former half may not have been true, there is no denying this was a pop album, featuring a lot of synth and auto-tune experimentation. One that clearly stands out is the fifth track, All You Had to Do Was Stay. This song tackles the idea of a relationship being over, and someone begging to come back, but after the heartbreak, you know better than to take them back. None of this would have happened if you just stayed. Although one of the (literal) high points of this song is the loud high pitched scream "stay" heard in the chorus, that came from a dream Swift had, its the lyrics that make this song stand out for fans. "People like you always want back the love they pushed aside/and people like me are gone forever when you say goodbye" and "let me remind you this was what you wanted/you were all I wanted/but not like this" show a very real side to Swift's relationships and how she views them.
I Wish You Would
Co-written with Bleachers and fun. musician Jack Antonoff, I Wish You Would opens with a fast guitar riff that sets the tone for the song. Similar to a yearning track like I Almost Do, I Wish You Would is more about how Swift feels like she has made mistakes too, and wish that things could be patched up and go back to how things were. This is another track often slipped under the radar, but it is its effortlessly cool sound that makes it worth checking out and listening to again and again.
That's it for my favourite TSwift deep cuts! What are yours? Leave a comment below :) I've also taken all the songs and put them in a Spotify playlist for your listening pleasure.
Until next time!
Favourite Books by Musicians
Hey everyone!
It's one thing to be a music nerd, but a book nerd is a whole other ball park. In this case, I'm definitely both. For today's post I decided to dig into my favourite books written by some of my favourite musicians. One thing that I love about musician bios is that they dig a bit deeper into their lives. You get to learn more about what they've gone through in life, and it makes you appreciate their music that much more. So here's five books by five musicians that I absolutely love.
1. Tranny by Laura Jane Grace
I may or may not have (but definitely did) read this book in a week and a half. Laura Jane Grace may have had one of the craziest lives I ever read about. The Against Me! singer shares in her memoir the formation of the band, the members who have come and gone, and the inspirations for their many albums. Grace openly shares her transgender dysphoria, and the moments of when she knew she was trans. She shares the terrifying anxiety of dealing with not knowing what to do about it, and even goes right down to the detail of when she openly came out to Rolling Stone magazine. I won't say much more, but the ending gave me a lot of feels. Certainly a memoir I'd read again.
2. Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis
Scar Tissue was one of the first music biographies I ever read. I've always loved the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and I had previous knowledge of their turbulent career, but I had no idea what kind of life Anthony Kiedis lead. From drugs and alcohol abuse, to being an actor, to forming RHCP, it was a really in-depth account of the singer's career. Packed with photos from his personal archive, Scar Tissue really makes you feel as if you know Anthony Kiedis on a more personal level than just the famous singer he is.
3. Can I Say by Travis Barker
I had the pleasure of reading Travis Barker's biography last summer, and it's one of those reads that ropes you in from the start. The Blink-182 drummer starts his book with the moment he almost died in a plane crash, and if that doesn't strap you in for a crazy read, I'm not sure what else will. Barker talks about his early interest in drumming, love for cars, and even how he managed to be in a comfortable balance of both the punk-rock and hip-hop worlds with effortless grace. Not to mention, of course, the evolution of Blink-182 and how they went on to become one of the biggest pop-punk bands of all time.
4. Sounds Like Me by Sara Bareilles
Sara Bareilles is one of my favourite singers, and I was over the moon when I found out she was writing a biography. Her biography isn't crazy in-depth only because she's a bit younger than the above mentioned, but it was an absolute thrill to read how she created some of the songs she did, especially my favourite, Gravity. Sara digs in about her time as a theatre nerd, her insecurities growing up, and trying to find her fit in the music world (all things I can relate to... maybe not the music world part, but hey, all the same!) She talks about her time writing the music for the musical Waitress and how she would love to star in it (spoiler: she did!) The only thing I wish was that it was so much longer. I could read her writing forever.
5. Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl by Carrie Brownstein
I've loved Carrie Brownstein ever since I watched her on Portlandia, and after doing some research, i found out that she was in the punk rock band called Sleater-Kinney. After listening to them, I became a fan quickly, so I was even more excited to hear she was putting out a memoir. I usually like to think I know a musician pretty well, but this was the first artist where I didn't have a huge grasp on their background or their story, so this book was a great read. Hunger talks about Carrie's early exposure to punk rock music and how Sleater-Kinney became one of the best underground feminist punk bands. It takes a look into her personal life sharing details about questioning her sexuality, and dealing with family struggles. Definitely worth the read if you share an interest of punk-rock and feminism.
What's your favourite music bio? Leave a comment in the link below.