The Killers - Hot Fuss (2004)

After leaving Blush Responce (a synthpop band), Brandon Flowers (vocals, keyboards) teamed up with David Keuning (guitars, vocals), Mark Stoermer (bass, vocals), Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums) formed The Killers. Often described as the "Best British band to have come out of America", The Killers is a post-punk rock band influenced by british bands and the music from the 80s.

Their album Hot Fuss, released in 2004, peaked the Billboard Top 200 albums at #7 with the smah hits Somebody Told Me and Mr. Brightside both peaking at #3 on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks.

Two of the songs on the album Jenny Was a Friend of Mine and Midnight Show are a continuing story along with Leave the Bourbon On The Shelf from their 2007 compilation album Sawdust, are known as the Murder Trilogy. The band have also said they may expand this in the future.

Hot Fuss is one of those rare albums which contain very simple music and poetic lyrics that get stuck in our minds. The kind of tunes that you would hum on and on and on. They use an interesting processesor patch for the vocals and their instruments. It gives a slight retro touch to the recording.

If you are looking for some music to jump around to, or just sing along with, Hot Fuss is a great album for that. Their music can be found on http://www.index-of-mp3.net/artist/Ki/Killers/

or a few are up for direct download at http://over93.free.fr/MUSIQUES/

Amon Amarth - With Oden On Our Side (2006)

Amon Amarth is a swedish death metal band who usually use Viking themes for their songs. They get their name from one of the places in Tolkien's Middle-Earth. It translates to Mount Doom in Sindarin (one of Tolkien's Elvish languages). Like any other death metal band, the songs are punctuated with deep growls and powerful lyrics. Backed by decent guitarists and one kick ass drummer, their music definitely leaves an impression.



The album With Oden On Our Side released in 2006 was their 6th studio album and the 1st to make it to Billboard Charts. Like most Scandinavian metal bands, their listeners were limited to scandinavian countries only. But they gained a lot of popularity in the U.S. with this particular album.

Their lyrics tend to be quite poetic, simple yet fitting. Personally I don't usually enjoy growling, but I guess this band along with Wintersun are the exceptions. The drumming in the song With Oden On Our Side along with others is very impressive.

When Johan Hegg (vocals) was asked what the album's name meant. He said "Well, it kind of has several meanings to it. Oden is of course the highest god in Scandinavian mythology, and he's the god of warfare, wisdom, poetry and artistry. The reason we chose the title is that it suited the lyrical concepts of the album and signified the feeling we had during the writing and recording of the album. We literally felt as if we had the Gods on our side."

Album Art: the three overlapped triangles (valknut) points to the Germanic Alamanni tribe's flag insignia. The font seen on the sides of the triangles show ancient Runic letters that were used by Germanic tribes, showing strong relation to the Dark Age warring tribes.

You could check out thier songs at: http://www.jumpgates.com/matthias/music/music_gothic_angel/Amon%20Amarth/With%20Oden%20On%20Our%20Side/
Also a very interesting Lord of the Rings video with Gods Of War Arise as its background can be found on youtube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0XcZAuTZNM
If not the whole album I would suggest any rock lover to atleast listen to Gods Of War Arise. Its one awesome song.

4 Non Blondes - Bigger, Better, Faster, More... (1992)

Consisting of four women: Linda Perry (vocals), Shaunna Hall (guitar), Christa Hillhouse (bass), and Wanda Day (drums), 4 Non Blondes is a pop rock, one hit wonder. Their song "Whats Up!" peaked at 11 on the Billboard Top 200. Formed in 1989 following an ad by Linda Perry in the newspaper looking for female musicians, it didn't last long beyond their first album. 1995, Linda Perry released her solo album "In Flight" and went on to release another solo album "After Hours" in 1998. Linda Perry is still an active song writer and composer.

The album Bigger, Better, Faster, More .... has very impressive vocals. Linda Perry has always been acclaimed for her variations and high pitched vocals. Songs like Superfly, Whats Up!, Pleasantly Blue and Dear Mr. President have a pop rock and blues touch to them. Influenced by Led Zeppelin, 4 Non Blondes have a unique style of their own. The music itself is quite rich unlike most all girl bands which tend to sound like other regular mainstream pop bands. Sadly the band could not use its potential, swaying too much with the popularity currents and not capitalizing opportunities it remained a one hit wonder.

A few of their songs can be found at http://ironwarez.info/mp3z/indexed4/

Farewell....

Rustling leaves, a cool breeze;

Life passed on with ease.....

All the rules were meant for fools.

Mischievous, weren't we?".

Excited 'bout the days with no school...

Just waiting for a chance to break free.

Some might consider them wasted years,

But others remember them with joyful tears.

We bid Adieu, this one last time......

For each of our songs will always have a new rhyme.

Good friends we've made over the years....

Will now part ways in tears.

For a new future; the past, we must sell.

With solemn faces we bid each other farewell....