Portsmouth’s Munroe Effect crunch heavy duty guitars and booming bass into a sound that Rock Metal Music have described as ‘progressive post-hardcore … with subtle and intricate calm moments unfolding into wide-screen heaviness that belies their single-guitarist line-up’. Ah ha. We agree.
Rival Schools / Used For Glue
Scientific research has shown that if you don’t like this song, your ears are broken. This fine example of songwriting perfection sounds bigger than communist Russia and has one of the greatest guitar solos ever recorded - and they’re making a new album. Yes!
At The Drive-In / One-Armed Scissor (live on Jools Holland)
How do you pick just one song by this band? Simple, you choose the one with the best Jools Holland performance in the history of ever. Am I allowed to have the video on this mix CD, too? Fuck it, I just did.
Ghost of a Thousand / Black At Number One
With the current crop of trouser-based bands being churned onto the shelves of ASDA, you may have been fooled into thinking UK rock was dead. Wrong! This song will slap you round the face and remind you that our underground scene still produces the most exciting bands in the world.
Dillinger Escape Plan / 43 Percent Burnt
Although we all know that Gil Sharone shits all over Chris Pennie in the drum department (controversial, but true nonetheless!), this track is just what you need on your way to work after getting in from a show at 4am. The first time I heard this I was nearly sick. In a good way.
Future of the Left / Plague Of Onces
We played a show with these guys on their first tour, and it still stands as one of my favourite shows ever thanks to their set. My bandmates would all have picked the song My Gymnastic Past from this album, but frankly the bass sound on this track (and the fact that the rest of the boys aren’t here) means that I’m going to totally ignore them. Ha!
Circa Survive / Living Together
Some people think Circa Survive are just another throwaway Emo band. Some people obviously aren’t actually listening! Any of the bands that get pigeon-holed could learn a thing or two about originality and experimentation from these guys. This track straight up rocks, maaaan! Sounds best whilst driving at 100mph in the dark.
Yourcodenameis:milo / To The Cars
I remember when this band exploded, I didn’t take them seriously because they won a Mercury Award and their logo was suspiciously trendy. Of course, at that time I was a complete idiot, and now I live each day in relentless shame because I never saw this band live! I think they slowed down the drums on this track, because they sound huge. To mourn the loss, sometimes I put this song on and have a little cry in 7/4.
Bjork / Hyperballad
I just realised all these songs are pretty loud. Well, there’s nothing wrong with that! But I got to go see Bjork a while ago, and it was awesome. The making of this record was one of those rare occasions when something of absolute beauty was captured. It’s a masterpiece.
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Yeah! I LOVE Circa Survive, and very true - it’s a brilliant track, they’re not just another emo band, and their experimentation is brilliant. Great playlist Richard.