Hidden Treasures - Mellowing with age

[Scott]

I've noticed a small sampling of aging rockers who seem to have some mellowing going on. Maybe it is true that we mellow with age? True, there's a handful of bands who seem to be defying this, but that's another playlist. Here's three pieces of evidence that prove that even the hardest of rockers mellows with age...


Admittedly these albums I have pulled these tracks from have nasty hard rockin' tunes on them so there's no suggestion that these guys have mellowed totally, they are who they are after all, I'm just saying there's seems to a slow mellowing in progress... Enjoy!

PLAYLIST -- http://www.podsnack.com/sgabbert/avzhschh

	Whitesnake Forevermore 2011 1 - One Of These Days On Forevermore, David Coverdale polishes the production -- a tad -- focuses the guitars more, and successfully fuses Whitesnake's various eras, and succeeds in spades. The acoustic midtempo ballad "One Of These Days" carries a trace of country in its melody, hearkening back to the Restless Heart era. Coverdale reveals he's more than competent to write a fine, lyrically savvy love song. "Fare Thee Well," another acoustic number, showcases Coverdale at his most intimate. The album's true highlight, however, is in the closing title track. Over seven minutes, it begins as an acoustic number before morphing into a stellar Whitesnake power ballad. After a two-and-a-half minute acoustic guitar/vocal intro, the band enters with a "Kashmir"-like chord sequence; they keep it slow but increase the drama; it eventually explodes into a bone crusher with killer guitar solos and a gorgeous melody.
	Iron Maiden Book Of Souls 2015 2 - The Man Of Sorrows Disc one is heavy, no doubt... By contrast, disc two is structured almost narratively; it slowly enlarges and expands to serve an unexpected conclusion. Opener "Death or Glory" is another crowd-catcher as Dickinson soars above thudding drums and guitar choruses redolent of Thin Lizzy. "Shadows of the Valley" is the only clunker. It's dull and predictable, a minor distraction that doesn't measure up to the set's ambition. "Tears of a Clown," written by Harris and Dave Murray, is for Robin Williams. It's a clamorous rocker, yet the lyrics and melody are simultaneously empathic and disconsolate. "The Man of Sorrows" follows expertly, progressing from meandering ballad to theatrical hard rock. Dickinson's 18-minute "Empire of the Clouds" is about the R101 airship disaster of 1930. It's Maiden's longest song, but a grand conclusion. He plays majestic classical piano throughout, as tasteful, biting guitars create a complementary melodic labyrinth amid swelling orchestral strings. They add texture while McBrain's swinging drums add drama. It's a heavy metal suite, unlike anything in their catalog. Producer Kevin Shirley does a stellar job capturing an "in studio" sound that allows for spacious dynamics and warmth without artificial mass.
	Rush Clockwork Angels 2012 3 - The Garden CA is full of dynamic surprises, wild rhythmic variations, and expansive textures. This set sprawls, embracing everything from metal and prog to electric jazz to flamenco touches -- and more. Varied musical shades jostle up against one another, keeping the listener not only engaged, but delightfully surprised. "BU2B" and "Caravan" are slightly different than their single incarnations -- more was added and for the better. There are nods to the band's past in the blistering intro to "Seven Cities of Gold" and the snarling rampage in "The Anarchist." Lifeson breathes fire on both. The title track is nearly a concept album by itself. It contains a grand Townshend-esque overture, punishing twists and turns, bluesy acoustic interludes, and a grand finish. "Halo Effect" is destined to be among the band's classic power ballads with a dramatic middle and end. The album's seven-minute tour de force, "Headlong Flight," careens across musical genres with ceaseless intensity. "Wish Them Well" is an anthemic hard-edged pop song, while closer "The Garden" is an intricate seven-minute ballad with numerous odd angles and labyrinthine sonic corridors. Ultimately, Clockwork Angels demonstrates why, after 36 years, Rush's fan base continues to grow. Its musical athleticism and calisthenic discipline are equaled only by its relentless creative drive and its will to express it in a distinct musical language.

[Niels (Mod)]

I've got all 3 albums for different reasons.

For example, the Whitesnake-album was as far as I Remember one of the first "albums" I bought on ITunes on digital download. I never was much of a fan, and certainly not since they made that awfull "1984"-album, or whatever it's called. But Coverdale is an excellent singer, I'll give him that. This song is not bad, but by God it's ordinary.

It's been a while since I heard BOS. I liked it, when I heard it the first time, and bought it on ITunes as well as on CD. Stupid, and I've done that many times . I can't say, I still think this is a great album. I think it sounded like a travel back in time for me to 1984, and I liked that. It's a loooong album, and I doubt if I ever will listen to the full album ever again. I wouldn't put it on my top 10 list this year. I fear I won't have 10 albums to pick from, since I only have 1 or 2 right now. This song isn't bad, but it's draaaaggin along. I prefer a more classic Maiden-album, if I feel like listening to Dickinson-Maiden.

This on the other hand is an AWESOME song!! The best song on that Rush-album. I looove it. I remember almost getting tears in my eyes, when I heard it the first time, simply becuase I was overwhelmed by the fact, that Rush still could produce such great music. In a way, I hope this will be the last Rush-album, so they are one of those rare bands, that ends right at the top. What a fairy-tale that would be! Respect!!

[Scott]

CA is one of those albums that just gets better and better with each listen!

[RJhog (Admin)]

Why would you put BOS on your Top 10 list this year anyway?  Maybe I just missed something...

[Jon]

I don't think any of these artists have "mellowed with age". 

Whitesnake went the ballad route a long time ago and that basically turned me off of 'em since the ballads kinda sucked. This is a decent song (even though his voice is almost shot, something I really didn't notice before, at least I don't think so) and the album is ok, but I really like the one that came before it. 

Maiden has done mellow songs before, but at least those were darn good. This doesn't do anything for me and this album really does nothing for me either. One of these days I might listen to it again, maybe with something like, oh, "Chinese Democracy" and Van Halen's "III".

Rush is Rush and you really can't say anything bad about any of their albums (well.......there were those few in a row that were just bland) but that song off of "Counterparts" immediately comes to mind when thinking about mellowness and it really wasn't overly mellow. 

Well, at least it wasn't another live post?

[RJhog (Admin)]

Well, it was bound to happen again.  I'm gonna agree with Jon on something.  Coverdale's voice is shot.  I also liked the preceding album better from Whitesnake.  Musically, this was a really good album, I just thought DC sounded really bad. This song is okay, sounds like something Rod Stewart would do.

I think the Maiden song is really, really good.  I just really like listening to it.

Even the Rush song is very nice.  I haven't listened to this album since it came out.  Maybe soon.  

I wonder if everyone would think Steven Tyler had mellowed with age if they listened to his new one?

[Scott]

Tylers album is another one I'm not interested in...  In fact I would go as far as to lump him in with KISS as sellouts...