Rocktober the 5th

Reuben - Moving To Blackwater

The second single for Reuben and taken off the first album 'racecar is racecar backwards'.  In comparison to their first single 'Freddy Kruger' this is a little more softer, lighter. But it also showed the diversity of a very talented young band. 

A light intro starts the song with a simple descending riff. The verse keeps the simplicity flowing with just the drums and bass being used. Jamie Lenman then joins in with guitar. The chorus builds but not going over the top with the distortion. The song progresses well with a section of strings added more character to the song. 

The video is a low budget video, but what do you expect from a new band? Set in Brighton the video starts with a male character running in his pants. The the band meet up and spend the day hanging out with the male character and his partner. The couple are getting progressively more passionate and end up at their house. They following morning the man picks up the phone and talks to a women which on camera looks like the girl he was with the following day/night, had he been with her twin? 

Song rating - 8/10

Video rating - 7/10

Great diversity from a band with lots of potential. 

Rocktober the 4th

Led Zeppelin - Over The Hills and Far Away

Over The Hills and Far Away is the third track off Led Zeppelins fifth studio album 'Houses of the Holy' released in 1973

Jimmy Page starts the song with a quick guitar riff which he repeats. Then a 12 string joins him with playing in unison. Robert Plant starts the vocals by entering in the repetition. As the song progresses the song builds and then the song bursts into a fierce rhythm. Page adds beautifully fitting solo and is able to keep the theme of the song flowing. 

Even though an official video was not released, a promo video was released, archived footage from 1977 and 1979 was used in this video. 

Song rating - 8/10

Video rating - 6/10

Rocktober the 3rd

The Raconteurs - Salute Your Solution

Released in 2008  and at the same time as their second album 'Consolers of the lonely' Salute Your Salution was one of their best selling songs. 

The song has heavy distorted riffs throughout with quick vocals in the verse giving this song a catchy rhythm. A small break in the song at the interlude is filled with another heavy guitar effect before bursting back into the main riff for the ending.

The music video is put together using black and white still photos placed together giving the appearance of stop motion. It is shot in what looks as a recording studio. A very clever and simple video. 

Song rating - 7/10

Video rating - 7/10

An enjoyable song and one I recommend to get into The Raconteurs if you have never heard any if their other material. 

Rocktober the 2nd

Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight

ATE self titled album released in 2009 had 'Sometime Around Midnight' and was an instant hit. 

The song is an autobiographical song based around the lead singer who met his former girlfriend out in a bar when he realised he still had feelings for her. The lead singer Jollett took 3 days to write the song. 

The song begins with an emotional string section which sets the tone of the song. As the song progresses the body and structure builds, building up to a more powerful ending and emotions are easily distinguished with the listener able to related to what Jollett must have been feeling. 

The video also reflects this moment with Jollett writing the song and a dark abstract mood of the video captures the feelings/emotions that Jollett would have encountered when coming face to face with a former love. 

Song rating - 7/10

Video rating - 7/10

A dark song for those dark moods. Good song. 

Rocktober the 1st

Foo Fighters - The Pretender

Released in 2007 from the album Echo, Silence, Patience & Grace

It is one of the most successful Foo Fighters songs that they have released and is a fans favourite to get 'the party rocking'. 

It originally started as a song called 'silver heart' and the only section they had was the chorus. After a short break and time away from the song Grohl added the verses and bridge and upped the tempo to give it more bounce. The song has different layers with a single guitar and vocals at the beginning and strings being brought into the intro. As per Foo expectations the song thunders into heavy riffs and mosh building chorus'. A small 'breather' is thrown in, giving those listening to catch up before the end of the song ruptures back into the heavy riff. 

The music video is set in an aircraft hanger with all members of the band standing in front of a red screen. On the other side of the hanger a single member of what looks to be riot police stands behind a black line. As the song progresses the 'officer' is joined by other riot police and as the song increases blood levels the riot police are ready to charge and they do such that. Once the slow interlude of the song breaks back into the heavy chorus the red screen behind the band explodes and what looks like red water showers everyone ending with Dave Grohl on his hands and knees. 

Song rating 10/10

Video rating 10/10

A great rock song. 

ROCKtober

Rocktober

I've been seeing all these campaigns to quit things for October, such as STOPtober - give up smoking

Go sober for October - give up drinking.

Well I want to try something different. I want to bring something into people's lives. Give them the opportunity to try something new, something that they've known about but never given it a chance. I'm talking about ROCK!! No not the sort you find up hills and mountains, but rock music. 

Now I know that straight away some of you will think long greasy hair, black sweaty t-shirts and head banging. Well there maybe some of that (just a little) but what I'm trying to highlight the form of rock that is around and that not people know about or would normally classify as rock. There are thousands of rocks songs and many (MANY) of those that have been influential. Some artists have used forms of rock songs, licks, riffs in their songs and there will be some who will not know that it came from a rock song. 

What I want to do is highlight songs that have been influential, fundamentally important, set the bench mark, not only for me but that have also shaped the world of music that we all love. 

Please keep watching, reading and let the world of rock inspire you! 

F1 - Monza

Italian Grand Prix - Monza

All eyes on the front row. Rosberg vs Hamilton. After the 'did he, didn't he?' saga at Spa the F1 world were watching with intent. Was there going to be any revenge? How was Lewis going to react? 

The answer was that Lewis reacted in the best way possible. Pole position. He was quick and wanted to put Belgium race behind him. 

The lights went out, full throttle. Lewis lost 3 places after a sluggish start and this start was capitalised by Rosberg. It looked like that would be the race over with as Lewis reported technical issues. 

For the first 4 laps Magnussen was holding up Massa and Hamilton but surely the Mercedes engines were just too strong and by lap 5 both Massa and Hamilton passed the Dane. As the race progressed Hamilton seemed to have managed the early hiccup and now was picking up speed. He was catching Massa. Both drivers were hot on the heals of Rosberg. Maybe it wasn't going so simple after all as on lap 10 Lewis had 2nd place from Massa. 

Bottas was another victim of a slow start and he was fighting his way back up the pack from 10th and he over took Alonso on lap 16. The spaniard has not had a good season in an under performing Ferrari. 

It's was a different story for the Mercedes. They were just too powerful. They were extending their lead. They were too fast. Lap 29, Hamilton was applying lots of pressure on Rosberg and after chasing him down Hamilton was rewarded with taking 1st place from his team mate as Nico buckled under the pressure and at turn 1 braked late and had to take the run off and dodge the signs. Lewis took full advantage. Game on!!

Alonso retired from the race that same lap with technical issues. Not what he, or his team wanted. 

On lap 39/40 there was a great battle further down the chain between Button, Perez and Ricciardo. Button and Perez trading places, they were going wheel to wheel. Neither were backing down. A great battle to watch. Ricciardo watch watching this battle with poise as any mistake from any of the 2 drivers in front and he would pounce. He did just that with a sweet overtaking move on Button. A little further up the field Bottas takes 4th from Vettal. Great determination from the Fin. 

Ricciardo was showing his racing potential. Pushing and pushing and he takes 5th from Vettal on lap 44 with the same passing move on the same corner he smoothed passed Perez. 

There was a very close shave as Kyvat's car suffered braking failure off the long straight and he skilfully manoeuvred his car around Raikkonens car and down the run off. Nicely done. 

The race finished with a comfortable Hamilton win. It's what he would have wanted and he was going to get it no matter what. 

1st-Hamilton

2nd-Rosberg

3rd-Massa

The fans stormed the starting grid to watch the presentation. Flags waving, chanting. But they were not so happy when Rosberg was interviewed. Boo's were ringing out. Maybe Nico reactions over the last few races are turning people off. Are the getting bored of him?