Rocktober the 7th

Chuck Berry - Johnny B Goode

One of the most iconic and recognised guitar songs of all time. This song has many claiming to be the creation of rock and roll and to be honest. I think I agree. The song was released in 1958 and no doubt will stand the test of time.  

The opening riff is easily recognisable as Chuck Berry's solo instantly sets the mood of the song. It's going to be up-beat, happy, something to dance to. A boy does it deliver. The lyrics are also simple as Chuck sings about Johnny keeping to story of the song easy to follow. 

The song has been covered many times and has featured in numerous films and TV shows. It's also a song for the guitarists out there who want to emulate their rock and roll idols. 

Song Rating : 9/10

Video : n/a

Rocktober the 6th

Band of Skulls - The Devil Takes Care Of His Own

Released in 2011 off the second album 'Sweet Sour', The devil takes care of his own was the first single that continued to showcase the talent of the Southampton rock trio. 

The song starts with Russell Marsden on the guitar with a nice crunch distortion setting. He is then joined by Emma and Richard of the band. The verse has Russell and Emma confirming their vocal talents to harmonise well, and with a simple but striking song structure, the song develops into a crunchy collection of rock layers. 

The music video is shot in a Japanese television studio. The band are performing in front of an audience and all is being watching by the production/director of the studio. As the song progresses the director becomes more and more aggravated and starts to turn on his team. The fighting continues through the studio and those involved in the fighting using a form of Kung-Fu.  

Song rating - 6/10

Video rating - 7/10

Simplicity is sometimes best

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.