Musical Ramblings: Guitar Hero can expand your musical tastes

This week, I'm taking a look at two releases that were initially released in late 2006 (I know, it does seem like a long time ago with the New Year now in effect). I bought these discs because I ended up liking the tracks from these bands that were featured in Guitar Hero 3. Let's take a look...

Muse
Black Holes and Revelations


Now this disc got into my collection because I got addicted playing the wicked song “Knights of Cydonia.” The song had such a weird vibe and really stood out against the rest of the songs on GH3. The whole synth-rock mixed with haunting yet cool harmonies got my attention right away. The CD doesn't mimic “Knights...” but it does take the listener through a mix of pop/synthpop, hard rock and psychedelic 70 styles.

Opener “Take A Bow” tries to convince you that you're going to be going on an audio acid trip where “Starlight,” turns the band in a completely opposite direction with a song that sounds like Radiohead or Coldplay meets the Foo Fighters. If you just want to rock out and feel a heavier vibe, skip everything and crank “Assassin” immediately (but then remember to go back!)

Each song on this disc has a different feel and to give the disc and each song the credit it deserves, I would probably have to write three pages on it and dissect each song. I'm not doing that, so I'm just going to say that you should sample this one and decide for yourselves. I'll just end it this mini review by saying that I'm really glad I picked this one up and that I'll definitely be searching out the band's past catalogue.

Priestess
Hello Master


Ok, I guess this CD technically was released in 2005 on an indie label, but the one you can get in the stores was re-mastered and re-released with new artwork in 2006. I bought this disc because I could never get “Lay Down” out of my head for days after I heard it. A $10 price tag also didn't hurt.

I never heard of these guys before so it was surprising to hear that the songs on this disc have been out for so long. It was even cooler to see that these guys are based out of Montreal!

After rocking out to all the tracks, I was informed that one of my favourite songs on the disc, “Talk to Her,” has been a radio staple for a while. I guess that's my fault for never listening to the radio, but I'm glad that I got to discover the tune. It has now turned into the Priestess song I can't get out of my head.

With all that being said, I don't mean to down play the rest of the disc. Each song can hold its own and are amazing pure and true rock songs. “I Am the Night, Colour Me Black,” kicks the album off into high gear with its fast paced, hard rock frenzy and vocals that are sung from the bottom of Mikey Heppner's stomach while “Run Home” will have you singing along wishing that you were doing the same thing but at a night club while the band plays and you're drinking some beers.

I wish I had this disc a lot earlier, but I guess later is better than never, right? If you don't have this one and missed the boat like I did, buy this immediately. You can support Canadian talent for $10, can't you? Solid, solid disc!