The Videos, Volume II

Last time around, it was chrono who gave you all the pleasure of the very first edition of The Videos. It's a modest blog series I started back on our old site, actually, twice for two different groups, one of which I created, and which also failed miserably due to my lack of leadership abilities.

I'm Mac, the guy who did the inagural post for this group recently, announcing the nine artists that will be up for the chance of making it into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame next year. This go 'round, it's the second volume of The Videos, and it's purpose is to give you an idea of just what type of music lover I truly am. It's an attempt to stretch my tastes out as far as they go, while still keeping your mind attentive.

Here we go.

1. Freya – The Sword



I’m not to up-to-date on the very young careers of these guys, but I tend to want to learn a bit when I’m going to be seeing them live with Metallica and Down come November. This tune has a driving rhythm from the guitar, with the vocals droning in the background, giving me a very Black Sabbath feel to what I’m indulging myself in. Sounds like something that will be very easy to perform and perfect live, which is a plus naturally for myself and I assume the thousands in attendance at the New Orleans Arena.

2. Dont Let the Sun Go Down on Me - Elton John



One of the most recognizeable, legendary, and influential musicians of our time is Elton John. This is just a sample of his contributions to rock n' roll; a performance from 1995, being played before what looks like thousands of people -- not that he's not used to that. Even after losing an octave in his voice years ago, which forced him to down-tune his piano so that it'd mesh, his voice is still as mesmerizing as it ever was.

3. Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts. 1-5 – Pink Floyd



The last major concert by Pink Floyd was Pulse, done in 1994, led by David Gilmour and the now deceased Richard Wright. This song much like the entire album Wish You Were Here is one of Floyd’s best musically crafted works, to me being what could be their best gelling together as a band, discounting Dark Side of the Moon, of course. This tribute to Syd Barrett, the former lead-vocalist and song writer for the band during the mid-to-late 1960’s who went into the chasms of his own mind, in which society labels going insane, is a mesmerizing piece of song-writing that captivates you from start to finish. It’s 13-minutes of sheer power and emotion packed into a truly spacey-rock song. Due to the 10-minute limit on YouTube videos, there’s a bit missing, but not enough to diminish the song.

4. Mr. Richards - R.E.M.



The only two albums I have heard and own by alternative legends R.E.M. are Murmur and their most recent release, Accelerate. This one is one of my personal favorites off their latest release. After enjoying the two albums I’ve got, it feels like an obligation to get my hands on other albums from the past, most notably Automatic For the People.

5. White America - Eminem (NSFW)



"White America" is a bold song by an always bold artist, Eminem. With immense success under his belt, Marshall Mathers, aka Slim Shady, aka Eminem, isnt someone we hear on the radio or on MTV today. It's a case of censorship, and it's sad. I give you "White America". The lyrics and the way he delivers them articulates his anger flawlessly, and the last few parting shots followed by his “just kidding” is what rounds this one off for me so well.

Until next time, I bid you adieu.