chaos awards II were basically going on when Post-Grunge Catastrophe was being released, so I'm plugging for these awards
With four well received albums to their name, Reported Failure have won the support of fans all over the world. Their new album "Post-Grunge Catastrophe" has lingered on the top albums chart ever since it's release three months ago, and it is still on the rise. The album has included many singles including "Manufactured Radio" which has become somewhat of an anthem for musical Independence.
Promising to bring the crunk, punk, punk, and whatever else you can think of that fits with the rhyme, Nick Palmer burst onto the scene quite recently and promises to bring all of that and a fresh new sound to the music industry.
If pictures are worth a thousand words, then I guess you could say that the artwork explains the whole album. THe artwork for Reported Failure's Post Grunge Catastrophe does just that.
There are albums that are literally pop song after pop song, there are albums that are amazing, but not radio friendly in the least bit. This album finds the balance. Add that to the fact that it is an agressive punk rock reflection on the current state of music, the world, and the guys who wrote the album themselves, and this album is the perfect choice. (There is a buttload of info in the spoiler)
Post Grunge Catastrophe - Reported Failure
Release Date: April 26, 2011
Label: Nomad Records
Side A:Manufactured RadioLyrics - [Beckett/Collins/Peters]You got soul
Hidden in this remote control
you turn it on (off on off on off on off)
you got style
With your skin tight jeans
And your angsty graphic t-shirt
you take it off (on off on off on off on)
So when you walk down the street, hope you know youre doin it for me
And that voice in the back of your head, that’s me
And your words, I wrote them for you
So you can be the radio
What happened… to anything
you swear it wasn’t like this just the other day
What happened to living?
And being something just so you could say
“I’ll go my own way”
You got beat
Through some digital screen
You turn it on (Off on off on off on off)
You got licks
Through your guitar picks
You stroke it up (down up down up down up down)
So when you breathe fuck or sleep I hope you know that youre doin it for me
Every note you’ve sang, that was me
And your words, I wrote them for you
So you can be the radio
What happened… to anything
you swear it wasn’t like this just the other day
What happened to living?
And being something just so you could say
“I’ll go my own way”
Though you try (try try try try try try)
You cant escape me
I am the mafia
I am the radio
I am Sirius top 40 hits
I am the radio
I am the radio
I am the fucking radio
What happened… to anything
you swear it wasn’t like this just the other day
What happened to living?
And being something just so you could say
“I’ll go my own way”
I am the fucking radio
MusicThe song starts off with a steady beat, addicting bass lick, and ska type guitar chords while Vin plays a very calm riff on his guitar. The pre-chorus gets things going a little bit more as the drums get heavier and Vin switches to a different, heavier lick that will soon be attempted by amateur guitarists all over the world. The chorus gets loud as the band bust out the power chords. The second verse continues much like the first, but with subtle changes in Robert Edward's drumming. The pre-chorus and verse are similar to the first ones. Then things break down. Matt and Vin mimick each others riffs as Billie reverts back to the ska type chords seen in the beginning of the song while his vocals reach a height that fans have never heard before. The final chorus comes and goes. On the outro Robert beats the drums to their full metal potential as Vin blasts out a quick guitar solo that is sure to be an orgasm to any guitarists ears.
Songwriter's Analysis: This song is aimed at anyone who would seek to water down music. It is about not just someone who wants to come in and just make a few bucks and legidimately doesn't care about the music, but also the people making the music. Because through the years every artist has temptation to just sell out and do what you think will give you your 15 minutes of fame. No matter what genre of music you play, or even if you have any talent, that is a struggle that all musicians face.
Post-Grunge Catastrophe*Lyrics – [Beckett/Collins/Peters]Wake up and look at the sun
It'll be gone by the time this is done
We'll sit back and look at the stars
Until were one
Drive until this town's gone
Go somewhere where the lights are still on
Look back at the world that we knew
It's all gone, its all gone
Now this world’s a new society
Where people come and go just to feel free
Just to feel free
Are we a post-grunge catastrophe?
Making our dreams while the city sleeps
I've heard maybe were to young now?
Are we a post grunge catastrophe?
Making a scene out in the streets
Your city is ours now!
Go find a better reason
Go find another scandal to stick to us
In the hope we’ll be gone
In the hope we’ll be gone
We know youre not important
You missed the boat long ago
So just give up
Just give up
Are we a post-grunge catastrophe?
Making our dreams while the city sleeps
I've heard maybe were to young now?
Are we a post grunge catastrophe?
Making a scene out in the streets
Your city is ours now!
Now scream (scream)
Tell everyone to run and hide
Cause we’ll change your children
We’ll get em on drugs.
We’ll destroy this hotel room
Were just low life thugs
Were not the new movement
Our 15 minutes are over…
Over
This catastrophe will swallow all my friends
I dream a dream of broken down cars
Vinyl records, and where we kill the trends
So lets dream, dream, dream, dream, dream, dream, dream!
Are we a post-grunge catastrophe?
Making our dreams while the city sleeps
I've heard maybe were to young now?
Are we a post grunge catastrophe?
Making a scene out in the streets
Your city is ours now!
Music The song starts with a loud, fast rock band worthy guitar riff. Things slow down for the first verse as Billie plays open chords on a relatively clean electric guitar. The drums are mellow and the bass is slowly building to the chorus. The chorus comes as Vin breaks out some sweet lead guitar and Robert picks up the drums a bit more. The next verse and chorus continue just like the first ones did. Then the intro riff picks up again, and then leads into a progression in which Vin uses his favorite Cry Baby pedal. Billie breaks the vocals with help from Suburban Sunrise, and Jason Smith, down before Vin heads into the heaviest and most melodic guitar solo he’s ever played. Then things slow down before the vocalists begin the final chorus in which everyone joins in to sing along.
[u[Songwriter’s Analysis:[/u] This song is about the punk scene and music in general. There are lines aimed at critics and some aimed at labels. The overall message is that were here making music. There are a lot of uncertainties that face every musician. Will the next record sell? Will I be able to put dinner on the table for my family?
EnemiesLyrics - [Collins]You’re chasing… Something
That never really existed
Quit trying to be someone else
It’ll only bring you closer to hell
Youre screwing up your only chance
So just keep bitching about your teenage romance
Whats you beef, man? Whats your problem?
Why are you this way?
You are the enemy
Whats your beef, man? Whats your problem?
Why do you say what you say?
You are the enemy
I flea at the sign of a fight
Behind your back I say I’ll put you right
I’m far worse I swear
Im trying to seem sophisticated with my new facial hair
Whats you beef, man? Whats your problem?
Why are you this way?
You are the enemy
Whats your beef, man? Whats your problem?
Why do you say what you say?
You are the enemy
We’re chasing… Something
That never really existed
Music: This song starts off with an addicting crunchy guitar riff. Overall the song is a short poppy song. The instruments are straight up rock n roll. This song wont win grammies for being progressive or something new. But its a very fun sing along type song.
Songwriter's Analysis: The song is directed at two things. One is just kind of pop punk band a, b, or c. Then I kind of turn the song around onto me and my flaws. It is also about popular music in general. An underlying message is about how rock is changing, and how no one really believes that it will fully come back. No one thinks there will ever be another Led Zeppelin, or U2, or any legendary band.
Let's RunLyrics – [Beckett/Peters]Are we losing control?
Are we losing control?
Are we losing control?
Are you losing control?
Can we live through this life?
Were we just born to die?
Wars keep raging I can’t stop them
People keep cryin. I can’t comfort them
But in the nuclear winter I’ll be coming to save you
When it all dies out I just want to be with you
Let’s run.
To a place that time left behind
Where we never reach ‘79
Where our dreams are less confined
Are we killing a hope?
Are we killing a dream?
Are we killing ourselves?
Are we killing the scene?
Can we challenge ourselves
To make a better life?
Stores keep closing. I can’t stop it
Friends keep leaving. I can’t keep them
But when we don’t break even I’ll be holding your hand
Until we find a better land
Let’s run.
To a place that time left behind
Where we never reach ‘79
Where our dreams are less confined
Let’s run.
To a place that time left behind
Where we never reach ‘79
Where our dreams are less confined
Music: The whispery beginning of this song leads into the verse with only arpeggio style electric guitar and bass. This song is joined by a cello on the chorus where some soft rhythm guitar comes in and is joined by bongos for rhythm. The full band continues for the rest of the song. On the final chorus the full drum set and louder rhythm guitar join in. Overall this song is more soft than the rest of the album.
Songwriter’s Analysis: This is the only love song on the album. When I wrote this song I really wanted to make the point that personal relationships are the most important thing in my life. When everything in the world collapses those personal relationships will be what we turn to to stay sane.
Almost (Not) FamousLyrics – [Collins/Peters]Sit home read your magazines
Wonder what its all about
Terrified of the world you see
You just want to tear it down
Everytime that theres another movement
Anytime we start singing loud
Everytime you turn up the music
You can’t help but think you’re selling us out
Let’s trash this place
And go back to the bus
My words are the only things that agree with me
Let’s kill this life
And get back in the garage
Get me back to the river banks
If its angry call it punk
If its bitter call it emo
If its short haired call it indie
If its long haired call it metal
They will sell us out. They will water us down.
They hated us.
Then we got some
They’ll get theirs
When we cut em
Now everybody cut em!
Let’s trash this place
And go back to the bus
My words are the only things that agree with me
Let’s kill this life
And get back in the garage
Get me back to the river banks
Let’s trash this place
And go back to the bus
My words are the only things that agree with me
Let’s kill this life
And get back in the garage
Get me back to the river banks
Music: This song is another short punk song. It starts loud and ends loud. After the first chorus, however, there is a funky ska influenced break down that leads into some great vocals by Billie that are full of punk rock screams. Then after the second chorus Vin throws in a short guitar solo before there is another chorus and the song ends.
Songwriter’s Analysis: This is another song that is mostly about the temptation to just sell out. It is also very much about a desire to regain the great perks that come along with being a new and unknown band. The line “Get me back to the river banks” refers to two things that sum up the song. One is simply a desire to no longer be mainstream, and to have no one know who you are. It also refers to a place along the Sacramento River where Vin, Billie, and Matt would go to play music and just hang out which also happens to be the place that they started Reported Failure.
Side B:Years ApartLyrics - [Beckett]I want to find
Something that isn’t there
I want to be
With someone who cares
I’m too late now
It doesn’t exist
It doesn’t exist
Music: A steady progression of acoustic chords an epic guitar riff leading into a climax of noise on every instrument, plus modern sounding bangs, crashes, and a distorted orchestra that is joined by the vocals. Things quiet down to where they began before progressing once more to the orgasm of sound as Billie screams into the mic.
Leader of an Empire That Doesn't ExistLyrics - [Beckett/Peters]I thought I could run away
Find a town where im just a lonely stranger
Try to quit wasting away the days
But im growing old and its getting later
If this is all I’ll ever be. Then what am I doing here?
I’m a catastrophe, yeah!
These pills
Could never work fast enough
To stop this, to stop this
My life
Is a vast, dark chasm until I die
Cause I’m ruler of an empire that doesn’t exist
I’m ruler of an empire that doesn’t exist
I’m ruler of an empire that doesn’t exist
Look at the world
Think to yourself
Is this good enough
Is this gonna help?
But I know how you can live today, or you can die tomorrow
Just listen to me say
Im a catastrophe, yeah!
These pills
Could never work fast enough
To stop this, to stop this
My life
Is a vast, dark chasm until I die
Cause I’m ruler of an empire that doesn’t exist
I’m ruler of an empire that doesn’t exist
I’m ruler of an empire that doesn’t exist
We are, we are, we are, we are, we are, we are… A catastrophe, yeah! (But lets live that way)
These pills
Could never work fast enough
To stop this, to stop this
My life
Is a vast, dark chasm until I die
Cause I’m ruler of an empire that doesn’t exist
I’m ruler of an empire that doesn’t exist
I’m ruler of an empire that doesn’t exist
Music: The song starts out acoustic. Electric lead guitar and drums slowly begin to join in as a piano plays softly in the background. The chorus brings in the full band, even though they are still playing a little bit soft. Everything progresses by the end of the second chorus to the point where the instruments are being played heavier than at most other points on the album. Billie’s vocals are really quite fantastic on this mid-tempo song.
Songwriters Analysis: In a nutshell, this song is about hitting rock bottom. That is really all that there is to it. Most of the album is about a big picture catastrophe. This is more of a personal catastrophe occurring when someone has hit rock bottom and is just entirely lost in their life.
EightLyrics-[Beckett]I dreamed a dream
It’s slipping out of reach
Am I falling off my feet?
Music: This begins with a quiet drum beat that soon is joined by a strong bass riff. Then out of nowhere comes the guitar which is joined by cymbol crashes, symphonic harmonies, and a scream from Billie that has never before been summoned from him. The instrumental fill ends with a sudden movement from loud back to the quiet that it began with.
The Cure To Growing OlderLyrics - [Peters]Destroy… Destroy… Destroy…
Lets blow this off
And sink into our melodies
Too bad were long gone
We’ve been destroyed by our endless tragedies
The bombs go off, the war never ends
My time is up in this hospital bed
Oil and blood are all I can send
To my family before im dead
So lets destroy it all!
Lets just start over
Before we die I’ll meet you in a place…
Where we never fall
Where the world stays sober
Where these melodies are the cure to growing older
The cure to growing older
The world fights, darkness descends
We try to turn on the amps before this ends
So bring on the city streets, in the dark I welcome all
Anyone who can sing along
So steal some cars, you don’t have to go far
We’ll sing this out before the fall
So lets destroy it all!
Lets just start over
Before we die I’ll meet you in a place…
Where we never fall
Where the world stays sober
Where these melodies are the cure to growing older
The cure to growing older
Music: Straight up punk rock. This is the big anthem on the album. Like most of the songs the lyrics are the main focus over the instrumentals. This catchy tune has an addictive chorus and is up beat and ready for radio.
Songwriter’s Analysis: At the end of the world, there is music. That is what this song is about. I could go on and get all cliché if I wanted. Music brings the world together in the worst of times. That is what I wanted to accomplish with this song.
Everything We've DoneWe’re all, we’re all gone.
We’re hiding from something.
Please come into the light
Will it be alright?
They say weve destroyed the world of post-black and white
And were just here to pick fights
The bottlenecks done and were whats left behind
We’re just pissed off kids who call ourselves punk rock
You’ve kicked our arrogant asses out so many times
Because your head hurts and we left a mess behind
What are we?
Yea we’re a catastrophe
For making ourselves, weve dug ourselves in the dirt
Were stuck in endless cycles
Of wild mood swings but do we even want to get out
Maybe we’ve found ourselves?
I screw with what you know
I’d fuck you all if given the chance
I’m irresponsible
But I’ll make it
Yea we’re a catastrophe
For making ourselves, weve dug ourselves in the dirt
Were stuck in endless cycles
Of wild mood swings but do we even want to get out
Maybe we’ve found ourselves?
Catastrophe…
We are a post-grunge catastrophe
Making a scene while your city sleeps
We’ve found our home now
Music:The song starts off very quiet and whispery. After the first few lines a steady drum beat forms along with some distant sounding lead guitar. Then things break down into the first verse and the power chords and bass come in. This leads into the chorus and the song doesn’t change much until after the second chorus. The chords die down and a piano begins playing quietly as Billie breaks down the vocals with several lines of “catastrophe”. Then things break into an adjusted chorus from the title track to close the album.
All songs were written, recorded, and produced by Reported Failure. * Features appearances by Jason Smith and Suburban Sunrise. Copyright 2011, Nomad Records
Imagine you are in a band that is struggling to maintain your originality without going broke. It seems that the song Manufactured Radio should be the themesong to your life. The song captures the struggle between an artist and everyone who seeks to take the artist and make it into something that they can make a few bucks on. Add that to great musicianship, and you've got one fantastic song.
(Just click the spoiler that I posted above. This is the first song in it)
(Honestly not my best work, because I never finished it, but I might as well plug them for this category)
Now onto OOC, because Reported Failure and Nick Palmer have absolutely no shot at winning any of the other awards. I'm not sure if we are supposed to plug other people for OOC, but I don't have the ego to plug myself for all of these.
At least I feel like I do because there is usually no one else here when I am. Darn timezones!
