Rocktober the 10th

Queens Of The Stone Age - Little Sister

QOTSA Released 'Little Sister' in 2004. It is taken from their fourth album 'Lullabies to Paralyze'. The song was originally started a few years previously but it never transpired. 

The song has a clock like beat as throughout the song and there is a constant and repetitive beat created on the 'cowbell'. The riff is also simple and is started off by Josh Homme who is then joined by the rest of the band (now without Nick Oliveri who was sacked from the band earlier that year). The chorus is catchy and again simple in its construction. Towards the end of the song Homme blasts a unique sounding solo which he carries to the end. 

The music video is also just as simple as the song itself. The band are stood within a square which is lit up, and the rest of the room is dark with dark red and blue lighting. They are playing to a large screen which is showing images of dancing women. Quick shots flick between the members of the band and this style of video goes well with the song. 

Song Rating : 8/10

Video : 7/10

Rocktober the 8th

Fleetwood Mac - Oh Well (part 1)

Released in 1969 and was composed in 2 parts. Part 1 is a more up tempo song and Part 2 being a more instrumental classical song.  When the band performed live only Part 1 was played. 

The song starts with a fast blues style solo. The next layers of guitar and bass link in giving the song more back bone. Peter Green comes in with the verse which is just him singing with no instrument support. Then all the band erupt back into the intro. As the song progresses the song follows suit of the intro/verse. As the song comes to another silence break, a more slower Spanish style guitar plays which is followed by piano and cello. 

There is no music video for the song. 

Oh Well was also deemed as the song that crossed the paths of heavy blues and metal and also was followed by other bands such as Led Zeppelin. 

Song Rating : 9/10

Video : n/a

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.