Is there anything left to say about "OK Computer"? "Radiohead's" third album released on May 21, 1997. It is a masterpiece, the best album of the 90s and there were even some who went far as to select it as the best album of all time (ask Q Magazine readers). It does not seem to us that we can share anything new after everything that has been written and said about this album, but at least we will try to put things for you. So the first seeds for this album were planted somewhere in 1995 during the band's tour to promote their second and excellent album "The Bends". Brian Eno invited the band to donate a song to the album "The Help" for children in need in war zones. The album featured many famous musicians, from "Oasis", to "Blur", "Suede", "Portishead", "Massive Attack", "Manic Street Preachers", and many more goodies. "Radiohead" contributed to the album the no less chilling song "Lucky", which was influenced by the Bosnian war and was recorded together with Nigel Goodrich - the recording technician who worked with them on "The Bends", and who would later become the band's sixth member. Thom Yorke goes on to say that the song "Lucky" is the right mark that will determine the musical direction of the entire album. "Radiohead" began work on the album, in mid-1996, as soon as the tour that ended. In light of the album's success, "Radiohead" received the full support of the record company, which gave them a full liberty and even a huge budget to purchase recording equipment. In light of the good results of working on the song "Lucky", the band members decided to reunite with Nigel Goodrich and even consulted with him about what recording equipment should be purchased. The first sessions for the album were held in the band's studio near the town of Didcot in Oxfordshire, but the members encountered difficulties that probably stemmed from "birth cords" and their decision to produce the album themselves. Despite this, the band managed to record four songs in this session: "Electioneering", "No Surprises", "Subterranean Homesick Alien" and "The Tourist". At the request of the record company, the band took a break from the recordings, to hold 13 shows in the US as a warm-up for Alanis Morissette. During this short tour, the band received an offer from director Baz Luhrmann to write a song for his next film "Romeo + Juliet". When Thom Yorke saw the scene where the actress Claire Danes attaches a Colt 45 pistol to her head, he immediately knew in which direction the song was going. This song will help shape the musical direction of the emerging album, which in this case was influenced by Portishead trip-pop, especially the distortion-laden bass guitar in the final part of the song. (Photo: Gie Knaeps) But all of this served only as a prelude to the real thing, the second and main session of the recordings, which will leave a significant imprint on the overall vibe of the album, on its sound, and will probably also make it grow far beyond the total number of songs on it. In September 1996, "Radiohead" resumed recording of the album, this time at "St Catherine's Mansion" near Bath, owned by actress Jane Seymour. The isolation inside a huge and empty mansion allowed the band to work this time at a different pace, with flexible working hours and more spontaneity, but it mostly caused a change in the general atmosphere that permeated well into the songs as well. And the results were nothing short of amazing. The album opens with "Airbag" galloping on a Ferrari 458 on the highway, but even the four airbags in the cab can not protect you from the guitar distortion that mercilessly saws the car chassis one million dollar worth. Thom Yorke has managed to instill in this song his fears of road accidents and airbags in a perfect way and this fear permeates the listener well through the pores of hair he has nailed from the very first note. We have not yet had time to relax from the fear of cars, and we are already thrown into the future with "Paranoid Android" - Marvin from the book "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". A paranoid masterpiece on the edge of progressive rock, which takes you on a musical roller coaster in sharp transitions between acoustic guitars and squeaky distortions, up, down, and back for goodness sake, while completely ignoring gravity. If all this has not caused you paranoia yet, watch the clip that Radiohead created for the song, just do yourself a favor and at the same time make sure to get a prescription for suitable pills. We said "progressive rock" so Johnny Greenwood recently admitted that the progressive rock band Genesis influenced the songwriting. There are quite a few more immortal moments on this album. "Let Down" was recorded at the same mansion at three in the morning, spontaneously when the band suddenly got "inspired", "No Surprises" was recorded in one take and whose electric guitar is influenced by "the Beach Boys'" song "Wouldn't It Be Nice", the track "Subterranean Homesick Alien" That the keyboards and guitar in it correspond with Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" and the harmonious move in the chorus of "Karma Police" influenced by "the Beatles'" "Sexy Sadie" song, are just examples from this perfect and inspiring piece. Years have passed since its release and it can already be said that the album is without a doubt the pinnacle of "Radiohead's" work, which it has not been able to recreate to this day. Admittedly, the band has managed to produce good albums over the years, despite its deliberate and courageous choice to get off the highway to the fringes, and experiment in new musical directions. None of these albums, however, have managed to maintain a high and uniform level throughout or reach the perfection of "Ok Computer". For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Written By: Moti Kupfer Release date - 28.05.1982 Phil Manzanera recalled that he and Bryan Ferry went out for coffee and heard a woman singing in a nearby studio. It was a Haitian band recording there, and both of them were immediately stunned by the power of her voice. It turned out to be singer Yanick Étienne. She did not speak English, so her boyfriend, who managed the band, translated for her. By the following day, she was already contributing her distinctive high vocals to the sessions. Étienne’s refreshing addition ultimately saved "Avalon", the title track that had already been recorded but still felt incomplete in its original form. Once her voice entered the mix, the song transformed into one of the most unforgettable moments in the catalog of "Roxy Music", taken from "Avalon", the band’s eighth and final studio album, released on May 28, 1982. In October 1975, "Roxy Music" released their fifth studio album "Siren", completing an especially productive three-year period for the Newcastle band. One month before the release of the live album "Viva! Roxy Music", the band announced they would be taking a break. The hiatus eventually lasted nearly two and a half years. During that time, punk conquered Britain, while "Roxy Music" became a major influence on both the punk movement and the new wave scene that followed. The break came to an end in November 1978, when Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay, and drummer Paul Thompson began working on a new album. This second incarnation of the band introduced a noticeably different musical direction, one influenced by disco and aimed at a more commercial sound. Eventually, the band was reduced to a trio consisting of Ferry, Manzanera, and Mackay, who relied on elite session musicians to help realize their vision. Co-producer Rhett Davies was also in a position to introduce new working methods inspired by his recent collaborations with Brian Eno. "Roxy Music" had always been accustomed to recording songs live in the studio. Instead, Davies encouraged them to build songs gradually in the studio while recording rhythm tracks first. For the new album, many of those rhythms were created using a Roland CR-78 drum machine, while "Avalon" itself used a Linn drum machine. The entire approach reflected Eno’s philosophy of treating the recording studio itself as a musical instrument. Phil Manzanera said about the making of the record that nearly 90 percent of the songs on "Avalon" were written in the studio. He explained that the album represented a complete change in the band’s working methods. He also admitted that during the making of their last three albums there were far more drugs around the band, something he described as both positive and negative because it created a strong sense of paranoia. In a 1989 interview with "Rolling Stone", Manzanera explained that many of the tracks were built out of improvisations in the studio. The band constantly experimented with sounds and studio equipment, often discovering unexpected results by accident that eventually became part of the album’s identity. The combination of studio-based songwriting and using the studio itself as an instrument had already begun to develop during the sessions for "Flesh and Blood", through the band’s rendition of John Lennon’s "Jealous Guy", and eventually evolved fully into "Avalon". Work on "Avalon" began at Phil Manzanera’s Gallery Studios in Surrey, England, before the band relocated to "Compass Point Studios" in Nassau, Bahamas, the same studio where "AC/DC" recorded their massively successful album "Back in Black". Bryan Ferry later said that the tropical location and stormy weather helped shape the melancholic atmosphere that flows throughout the album. In a 1982 interview published in NME, Ferry explained that he had often imagined creating an album where all the songs were connected in the style of "West Side Story". However, he felt that approach would require too much effort, so instead he decided to connect the ten songs he already had into something resembling a collection of short stories that could almost form a novel. Ferry also explained the meaning behind the album’s title. In Arthurian legend, "Avalon" is the mystical island where King Arthur is taken after his death. To Ferry, it represented the ultimate romantic fantasy destination. In February 1982, "Roxy Music" traveled once again, this time to New York’s "Power Station Studios" in order to complete the album. Legendary engineer Bob Clearmountain was brought in to handle the final mix. The opening track and first single, "More Than This", explores the collapse of a relationship through a tone filled with emotional emptiness and existential despair. The song, along with the rest of the material on "Avalon", was written while Bryan Ferry was staying in Ireland, a place he later said heavily inspired the album’s calm and atmospheric sound. Ferry explained that listeners naturally connected to the album’s overall mood and its unique sonic character, adding that some of its darker melancholy likely came from the surroundings in which it was written. The title track "Avalon", released as the album’s second single, also reflected Ferry’s personal life at the time. After more than a decade with "Roxy Music", Ferry was beginning to move away from the chaos of the band in order to settle down with his future wife, Lucy Helmore. "Avalon" itself is the mythical island from Arthurian legend where King Arthur’s sword, Excalibur, was forged, and where Arthur was taken after being mortally wounded at the Battle of Camlann. The song later became especially memorable through a famous scene in the television series "Moonlighting", where detective David Addison, played by Bruce Willis, falls in love at first sight with a mysterious woman portrayed by Demi Moore, who was Willis’ wife at the time. The album cover was designed by graphic designer Peter Saville and featured Ferry’s girlfriend, and future wife, Lucy Helmore. The photograph was taken by photographer Neil Kirk at dawn, showing a cloaked figure wearing a medieval-style helmet while standing with their back turned toward the water. "Avalon" ultimately became the most successful album in the history of "Roxy Music". It remained at number one on the UK Albums Chart for three consecutive weeks and stayed on the chart for an entire year. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

And this time... This is what happens when the devil leaves dinosaurs in the studio... On May 28, 2013, "Alice In Chains" released their fifth studio album "The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here". This is the band's second studio album which was released after the death of the legendary Layne Staley, and the second to include singer William DuVall as the band's fourth member. The album comes four years after its predecessor "Black Gives Way to Blue" which was released in 2009. If on the previous album Jerry Cantrell took the lead vocals rule, with William serving as co-pilot, on this album Jerry allows himself to let go a little more, giving William more space to express in a way that makes this album sound more complete and cohesive than its predecessor. There is a sense that "Alice" is slowly breaking free from the "Chains" associated with Layne's death and is beginning to function as a solid group whose parts complement each other. The band sounds more confident here, and more goal-oriented. There are a few songs on this album that are definitely approaching the level of the good old Alice. "Hollow" which opens the album and was released as the first single, whose mesmerizing riff was written by Jerry Cantrell during the "warm-up" for the show that sealed the tour of the previous album. The song "Stone" whose riff Jerry Cantrell wrote during recovery from his shoulder injury. In the absence of the ability to play the recorded himself humming the riff to the phone, and the result was nothing but amazing, as the riff entered the list of the 20 greatest riffs of the decade. The song "Voices" is the first song written for the album, even before Jerry's injury. The theme song whose arppagio guitar intro takes us directly back to "Love, Hate, Love" from the debut album "Facelift". And the song "Scalpel" sounds like an outtake from the acoustic album "Jar OF Flies", and more and more good and strong songs !!! To be honest, towards the end of the album it seems that "Alice" is starting to lose some height with songs like "Phantom Limb" and “Hung on a Hook,” but even in these cases, it's exactly how we would like to hear one of the grunge "dinosaurs" of the 1990s 20 years later. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Written By: Noam Asulin Release date - 28.05.2010 "Triosphere" is a power metal band, with progressive metal influences and it comes from Norway. The review tells about their second album "The Road Less Traveled", which was released on May 28, 2010. "Triosphere" was formed in "Trondheim". Norway in 2004 by singer and bassist Ida Haukland, and guitarist Marius Silver Bergesen. At first, they were defined by the sound of their "heavy metal" but slowly the melodies and "power metal" entered, while incorporating progressive elements. Bergesen is the composer of all the instrumental parts, with Haukland serving as the lyricist and in charge of the vocal melodies. The band was originally formed as a trio that included Haukland, Bergesen, and drummer Ørjan Aare Jørgensen. They released their first EP "Deadly Decadence" in 2005 and after recording their first album "Onwards", which was released in 2006, they expanded into a quartet with the addition of guitarist Tor Ole Byberg. The style of "The Road Less Traveled" is different from its predecessor "Onwards" which was released 4 years earlier, and it features a more melodic sound. Vocalist Ida Haukland argues that the album is based on the idea, that even though a certain way we walk is less popular, it can still get us to our goals. The first track is called "Ignition" and it is actually an intro. In my opinion, the intro is very interesting, as it already includes Crunchy guitars that give a sense of desire to get "more" of this wonderful thing, and this "more" comes in the second track "Driven" which takes us into the "B&B" duo (Bergesen and Byberg) race car. The songs, are mostly very melodic, with a relatively fast tempo and "blast beats" by drummer Ørjan that do not stop for a moment (he is currently no longer in the band). As befits the genre, there are quite a few solos on this album, and Ida's bass is very bold and prominent in the production and that's not as common as you think. Too often I feel like the bass is lost in the mix and barely noticeable, but here, Ida and Marius (guitars) who are also responsible for the production of the album, take care and give a respectable stage to the bass guitar in the final mix. My feeling is that despite this, there is a balance between all the instruments on the album and everyone gets the place they deserve. Throughout the album, Ida shows what wonderful vocal abilities she has, with a rough and low voice that only gives us lust for more. The fifth track "Marionette" is perhaps the best known of the band and the latest track "Echoes" is a quiet instrumental version performed by piano and cello, which combines all the tracks 2 to 10 on the album. It is interesting to note that the Japanese extended version of the album also includes the song "Lawless", written as a tribute to Blackie Lawless, apparently influenced by the band's joint tour with "W.A.S.P." In the years 2006-2007 as well as a cover of the song "Welcome to the Jungle" originally by "Guns N 'Roses". The album received very positive reviews and entered the lists of recommended albums of the year, by several magazines and metal sites. In conclusion, I think this is a well-made Melodic Power Metal album, with wonderful sound, wonderful singing, and production that does not deprive any instrument. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On May 27, 2022 Guitar legend Michael Schenker released "Universal". It is another excellent studio album that is a direct continuation of his great releases in recent years with the albums "Resurrection" (2018) and "Revelation" (2019), released under" Michael Schenker Fest", and "Immortal" from 2021 released under the classic lineup of "Michael Schenker Group". The band that accompanies Michael Schenker this time is: Ronnie Romero (vocals), Bodo Schopf ("Eloy") (drums), Barend Courbois ("Blind Guardian", Zakk Wylde) (bass), and Steve Mann (keyboards and guitar). In addition, the album hosts many good artists such as: Michael Kiske ("Helloween") and Ralf Scheepers ("Primal Fear"), drummers Simon Phillips (Gary Moore, "Toto", "The Who"), Brian Tichy ("Whitesnake", "Foreigner"), Bobby Rondinelli ("Rainbow"), As well as legendary bassists Bob Daisley ("Black Sabbath"), Barry Sparks (Yngwie Malmsteen, "Dokken"), as well as keyboardist Tony Carey ("Rainbow"). Anyone who has loved Michael Schenker's recent albums will love this album as well. The Schenker's sound can already be recognized in the opening song "Emergency" the rooted metal with melodic structure and classic solo, the retro sound of "Under Attack" that takes us straight back to the mid-eighties, is Michael Schenker's bread and butter. But then, in the third and fourth tracks comes the big surprise of this album. One of the most beautiful tributes we have heard to Ronnie James Dio and one of Schenker's greatest songs in recent years. The song "A King Has Gone" and its intro "Calling Baal" are both tributes to Dio and especially to the album "Rainbow Rising" whose name is repeated in the lyrics of the song. Anyone who has read our review of the album "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll", knows that the title of the intro section "Calling Baal" is not accidental either. Remember, Ronnie James Dio said that during the recording of the album the band members performed séance ceremonies, while on one of them they met the spirit of the demon "Baal" who promised to hurt them. The back cover of the album also included the phrase: "No thanks to Baal". So tribute to legendary singer Ronnie James Dio will be perfect, Michael Schenker enlisted former members of "Rainbow" Bobby Rondinelli, Bob Daisley, and Tony Carey, who also performs the synth-Moog intro section "Calling Baal", which corresponds with the opening track of that immortal album "Tarot Woman". In addition, Schenker is assisted by singer Michael Kiske. By the way, this is not the only song that will remind you of "Rainbow" on this album. Listen to the "Sad is the Song" and you will find sounds and style that will remind you of "Rainbow", especially in the guitar work and "oriental" touches. But make no mistake, these are definitely not the only good songs on the album. There's the ballad "Long Long Road" in which Gary Barden and Ronnie Romero share vocals, there's the rhythmic and sweeping section "Wrecking Ball" with Ralph Scheepers' vocals, the "Yesterday is Dead" coaxed with Brian Tichy and Barry Sparks, "London Calling" (not that of "Clash") whose lyrics pay homage to the British rock bands from the 80's that brought hard rock into the mainstream, "Au Revoir" in which Schenker showcases his amazing abilities and more ... The album includes two bonus tracks, including the amazing "Turn Off the World" !!! For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On May 27, 2003 "Led Zeppelin'" released "How the West Was Won". This album was a long-awaited treasure for fans who craved a definitive live album from the band for decades since it's breakup. While previous releases like "The Song Remains the Same" and "BBC Sessions" had their merits, they failed to capture the full force and brilliance of "Led Zeppelin" at their peak as this album does. Finally, in 2003, Jimmy Page curated a remarkable collection of previously unreleased live recordings from the band's monumental performances in Los Angeles California during their tour of North America: "L.A. Forum" (25 June 1972) and "Long Beach Arena" (27 June 1972) The album showcases "Led Zeppelin's" sheer power and artistry performed live, with guitarist Jimmy Page considering this era as the band's artistic peak. The concerts at the "L.A. Forum" and "Long Beach Arena" were legendary, and although bootleg recordings of these shows circulated among fans for years, "How the West Was Won" provided the first opportunity to hear the soundboard versions of these performances. The meticulous editing and audio engineering by Jimmy Page at Island Studios in London further enhanced the album's quality. From the opening notes of "LA Drone" to the epic finale of "Bring It On Home", this triple album captures the band's majestic sweep and their ability to create musical tempests. "Led Zeppelin's" mastery of light and shade is on full display. With Jimmy Page's genius in summoning storms of guitar virtuosity, John Paul Jones delivering high level of his multi-instrument playing The musicianship of the entire band, including the invaluable contributions of John Bonham, and Robert Plant's iconic vocals, allowed Page to bring his visionary musical ideas to life. The album features both the band's longer, exploratory numbers and their concise, powerful songs. Tracks like the 25-minute tour de force "Dazed and Confused", the 23-minute "Whole Lotta Love", and the 19-minute drum showcase "Moby Dick" showcase "Led Zeppelin's" ability to improvise and create grandiose musical experiences. The band's talent shines brightest on the shorter songs, like "Immigrant Song", "Black Dog" and "Rock and Roll", where their sound is distilled to its essence. "Led Zeppelin's" studio intricacies are transformed into wild, dynamic live performances that hit hard and leave a lasting impact. But it is definitely the acoustic "Unplugged" moments where this album really shines. the "Moby Grape"-flavored "Going to California", the pastoral beauty of "That's the Way" and the stomp-beat "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" showcase "Led Zeppelin's" diversity and innovation and prove it as one of the best live acts of the era. And then, of course, there is the chilling and mesmerizing live performance of "Stairway to Heaven", mixed by the wizardry hands of Jimmy Page from both performances at the "L.A. Forum" and "Long Beach Arena", while John Paul Jones's Mellotron was "borrowed" from the band performance at Southampton University, England, on 22 January 1973. "How the West Was Won" has received notable recognition in the music industry. It has appeared on several prestigious lists of the greatest live albums. "Rolling Stone" magazine ranked it 23rd on their "The 50 Greatest Live Albums of All Time" list, "Guitar World" magazine also recognized it as one of "The 10 Best Live Albums You Must Hear", "Classic Rock magazine" included it in their "The 50 Greatest Live Albums Ever", "Rock Hard" magazine included it in their extensive list of "The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time". But While it received glowing reviews upon its initial release, its sales did not match the critical acclaim. However, as a heritage piece, it continues to enthrall and captivate fans who appreciate "Led Zeppelin's" unrivaled rock prowess. In conclusion, Led Zeppelin's "How the West Was Won" is a majestic live showcase of the band's rock power at its height. The album encapsulates "Led Zeppelin's" at its best live performance. This definitive live recording solidifies "Led Zeppelin's" status as one of the greatest bands ever. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On May 27, 1983, Mike Oldfield released his eighth studio album "Crises". A decade removed from the seismic impact of "Tubular Bells", Mike Oldfield arrived at a crossroads. Progressive rock was no longer dominating the cultural conversation, synth pop was ascendant, and many of the genre’s old architects were struggling to adapt without sounding compromised. "Crises" is fascinating because it captures Oldfield refusing to fully surrender either side of his identity. The album is split between sprawling instrumental ambition and sharply focused pop songwriting, yet instead of feeling conflicted, it sounds strangely coherent. Produced by Mike Oldfield and Simon Phillips, the album embraces modern production without abandoning Oldfield’s instinct for long form composition. The title track "Crises" alone occupies over twenty minutes, functioning as both a continuation and deconstruction of the approach that made him famous. Its opening minutes are restless and fragmented, constantly mutating through rhythmic shifts, chiming guitar motifs, synthetic textures, and sudden bursts of aggression. Unlike the pastoral mysticism of "Ommadawn" or the hypnotic repetition of "Incantations", "Crises" feels tense and urban. There is motion everywhere. Even the quieter passages seem loaded with nervous energy. The real achievement of the suite is how naturally Oldfield integrates 1980s technology into his compositional language. Fairlight textures and sequenced electronics could have dated the record immediately, but here they become part of the architecture rather than cosmetic additions. Phillips’ drumming is equally crucial. His playing gives the entire piece muscular momentum, grounding Oldfield’s abstract instincts in something physical and immediate. Then the album pivots... "Moonlight Shadow" remains one of the defining singles of the decade, but its brilliance lies in how deceptive it is. On the surface, it is immaculate pop craftsmanship: bright acoustic guitars, crystalline production, and the unmistakable voice of Maggie Reilly. Underneath that elegance sits a melancholy core that gives the song unusual emotional weight. Oldfield’s lead guitar melodies practically sing alongside Reilly, weaving through the arrangement with remarkable restraint. Many progressive musicians spent the 1980s trying to write hit singles. Few managed one this timeless. "Foreign Affair" continues the sophisticated pop direction, though with a colder and more nocturnal atmosphere. Reilly’s vocal performance is understated and distant, perfectly matching the song’s sense of romantic detachment. Oldfield’s arrangement work here is extraordinary. Tiny guitar accents, drifting synthesizers, and carefully layered percussion create an atmosphere that feels cinematic without becoming overproduced. If the album has a genuine shock, it arrives with "Shadow on the Wall". Featuring the ferocious voice of Roger Chapman, the track abandons sophistication for brute force. The guitars are harder, the rhythm section hits with real weight, and Chapman sounds like he is tearing the song apart from the inside. It is one of the heaviest moments in Oldfield’s catalog and evidence that his melodic instincts could survive inside a far more aggressive framework. Even "In High Places", with vocals from Jon Anderson, avoids drifting into the weightless mysticism that often plagued progressive collaborations of the era. Anderson’s unmistakable voice adds spiritual elevation, but Oldfield surrounds him with enough tension and harmonic movement to keep the song grounded. What makes "Crises" endure is its refusal to behave like a compromise album. Many artists who transitioned from progressive rock into mainstream accessibility sounded diminished in the process. Oldfield sounds energized. The pop songs are too sophisticated to dismiss as commercial calculation, while the extended instrumental passages remain adventurous without disappearing into self indulgence. More importantly, "Crises" captures a musician understanding that evolution is not betrayal. Oldfield did not abandon his past here. He translated it into a different language. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Editor's Choice... And this time ... a recommendation with a "sugar overdose" warning... You will not find here a story about a masterpiece album or a bunch of geniuses who wrote complex works, there will be no asymmetrical rhythms nor multi-instrumentalists that were touched by the hand of God and play with virtuosity reserved for virtuous individuals. Yes, yes, we know, it's as simple as a song in three chords, it's catchy as Abba's song, sometimes it's as shallow as the Dead Sea, sometimes as sticky as cotton candy, but we love it, and even enjoy it very much! Here, we said it. Now you are welcome to pull out the arrows or put us in front of a firing squad, you choose. So in case you did not understand, on May 26, 1986, Europe released their third album, "The Final Countdown", an album that we encourage you to listen to from beginning to end. This album is much more than the theme song, which is definitely not a representative sample of what this band is capable of. What's more, Europe is much more than the album "The Final Countdown", it is an excellent hard rock / heavy metal band that is active to this day with the same band that played on this album and continues to release great albums. So today we are here to recommend an album that may be familiar to many just because of the big hit and the theme song, but there is much more to it than that. This is an excellent album that maintains a uniform level almost throughout its length and from which no less than five singles were released that immediately became hits: "The Final Countdown", "Love Chaser", "Rock the Night", "Carrie" and "Cherokee". Judging only by the outtake "On Broken Wings" which was recorded in sessions for the album but did not enter the final version and was later released as a b-side, then this album is just perfect. The outtake is so beautiful, that it is not clear how it did not enter the album, and perhaps this is to teach about the excellent writing ability of the band at that time. The song that was first written for the album was the rhythmic and sweeping "Rock the Night", which Joey Tempest wrote during the tour that promoted the band's previous album - "Wings of Tomorrow" from 1984. The song describes the good feelings and upliftment during the band's tour. It is followed by "Ninja", a particularly catchy classic hard rock song that accurately reflects the synthesized hair metal style at the time. The famous synthesizer riff for the theme song "The Final Countdown" was written by singer Joey Tempest back in 1981 on the Korg Polysix synthesizer he borrowed from keyboardist Mic Michaeli. When bassist John Levén heard the riff in 1985 he urged Tempest to write a song based on the riff. Tempest was convinced and wrote the lyrics inspired by David Bowie's song "Space Oddity". Tempest intended to write the song so that it would serve as an opening piece in the band's performances and the original version was over 6 minutes long. And without detracting from the greatness of the catchy and all-time iconic keyboard riff, it's impossible not to mention the masterpiece guitar solo by John Norum.... The Power Ballad "Carrie" was performed by the band back in 1985. The earlier versions were only with keyboards. Joey Tempest admitted that there is no real Carrie and that the song is not based on anyone from his personal life. The song "Cherokee" was the last to be written for the album. The band was missing one more piece. Joey played his band an unfinished melody, the members got excited and the song was written in the studio. The lyrics are a kind of tribute to the Cherokee tribe in the United States. This album does not give adequate representation to the band's real sound, especially not as it has sounded in the last twenty years, but it's definitely a fun album full of 80s hair metal. It's just as fun now as it was in 1986. So if your mind craves some light music, catchy songs, and melodic solos, imagine that you are opening the sunroof, fantasizing that you have long, puffy hair and that it is entertaining in the pleasant spring breeze. And now just click on one of the links... Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

He is the quiet and introverted drummer of "Alice In Chains" but he also formed a supergroup and even recorded with "Metallica" !! (Photo: drummagazine.com) 1. His full name is Sean Howard Kinney and he was born in Washington, on May 27, 1966. 2. His father was a policeman and his mother was a municipal employee. 3. He became interested in and played music at an early age, his first drum set was at 5 years old. 4. Already at the age of 9 he was the drummer in his grandfather's band "The Cross Cats" and even went on tour with them in the northern United States. 5. In 1985 Sean met with Layne Staley during one of Lanye's band's shows "Sieze". Sean did not like Layne's band but was very enthusiastic about Layne himself. He wrote his girlfriend's phone number on a piece of paper (since there was no phone) and offered to jam together. 6. A year later Jerry Cantrell and Layne Staley met at a party in Seattle when Layne was the singer of Alice N 'Chains. Jerry received from Layne the phone of a girl named Melinda Starr, the same phone that Sean had given to Layne a year earlier. 7. Fate wanted the same Melinda was also Mike Starr's sister whom Jerry wanted as bassist for the band, she, of course, picked up the phone and Mike immediately showed up. 8. The three were looking for a singer and really wanted Layne in their band. Layne refused because he was interested in setting up his own band. So what did the three do? There initiated auditions for very, very bad singers with Layne's presence to make him accept the offer. The breaking point was when a stripper who wanted to be a singer came to the audition, Layne could not take it anymore and agreed to join the band. 9. After quite a few names like "Mothra", "Fuck", "Diamond Lie", and more the members decided on the name "Alice In Chains", based on Layne's former band name. (Photo: Annamaria Disanto) 10. The first demo of the band "The Treehouse Tapes" was completed in 1988. It found its way to Kelly Curtis and Susan Silver who managed the bands "Mother Love Bone" and "Soundgarden". The two transferred the demo to "Columbia Records" and they signed the band to a contract in September 1989. 11. The band's debut album "Facelift" was released in August 1990, Jerry dedicated the album to his mother Gloria, and fellow singer Andrew Wood from the band "Mother Love Bone". The singles that came out of the album are: "We Die Young", "Man in the Box", "Sea of Sorrow" and "Bleed the Freak". This is the first album from the grunge scene that was crowned gold and it was also nominated for a Grammy. 12. The album was almost released without Sean's participation !! He broke his arm shortly before rehearsals for the album and when the band came together to record he could not play. They enlisted drummer Greg Gilmore from the band "Mother Love Bone" and Sean guided him during rehearsals and recordings. Sean guides Greg but is deeply frustrated inside that he is not a partner in his new band's debut album. Here, too, fate intervened and fortunately for Sean, the band took a short break from the recordings, which gave him some time to recover. Upon returning to the recordings Sean decided that he can't take it anymore, he decided to cut and take off the cast and do all the recordings for the album with a broken arm as he occasionally puts his arm in an ice bucket next to his drum set. (Photo: amazon.com) 13. In February 1992 the band released their first EP "SAP" which consists entirely of acoustic songs. The idea for the album came from a vision Sean had one night, he dreamed that the band was recording an acoustic album called SAP and so it was. The album features Ann Wilson from the band "Heart" and another duo named "Alice Mudgarden". On this album, Sean plays keyboards and participates in background vocals. 14. In September 1992 Alice's second album "Dirt" was released. This is the band's most successful album that created insane hits like "Would?", "Rooster", "Them Bones" and more... and was also nominated for a Grammy Award. 15. The band's second EP, which is also entirely acoustic called "Jar OF Flies" was released in January 1994 and became the first EP in Alice's first history to go straight to number one on the Billboard charts. 16. In July 1994, the band temporarily disbanded for six months and returned in November 1995, when the third album "Alice In Chains" was released. The album went straight to number one on the charts and issued the singles: "Grind", "Heaven Beside You" and "Again". This album marked the beginning of the end when this time the band did not go on a tour to promote the album and did not hold shows for two and a half years until the encore performance... 17. Sean plays himself in the December 1995 mockumentary film "The Nona Tapes", which was released to promote the band's third album "Alice In Chains". 18. In April 1996, Alice made one of the biggest and most famous shows on the MTV Unplugged show. Jerry went up sick as a result of stomach poisoning and Layne looked completely wasted from drugs and alcohol. 19. That same year Sean joined Johnny Cash, Kim Thayil ("Soundgarden"), and Krist Novoselic ("Nirvana") for a cover recording of singer Willie Nelson's song "Time of the Preacher" for a tribute album called "Twisted Willie" 20. In the same year the band held its last four performances with Layne, who passed away six years later in April 2002. From that year the band had no activity and disbanded completely. 21. In 1998 Sean participated in Jerry's first solo album called “Boggy Depot”, he also went out with Jerry on a tour to promote the album. 22. In the same year he played the drums in Metallica's cover of the song "Tuesday's Gone" recorded for the album "Garage Inc.", Jerry also participates in the song. 23. In 1999, Sean, along with his friend Mike Inez, singer Vin Dombroski from "Sponge" and guitarist Chris DeGarmo from "Queensryche" formed the band "Spy4Darwin". They released one EP with six songs called "Microfish" 24. In February 2005 the three remaining Alice members returned to perform together for the first time in almost 10 years. It was at a fundraising event for tsunami victims. 25. The three went on tour with many varied guest singers to celebrate their love of music and remember the old days. In 2006 William Duvall officially joined the band and became the lead singer. It made them want to keep writing and recording new music. (Photo: EMI) 26. On September 25, 2009, the band released their fourth album "Black Gives Way to Blue", on this album Jerry took the lead in singing while William served as co-pilot. 27. The album's stunning cover is the fruit of the concept conceived by Sean. 28. On May 26, 2013, the band released their fifth album, "The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here", with Jerry continuing his role as the album's lead singer. This album was also nominated for a Grammy Award and included the singles: "Hollow", "Stone" and "Voices, 29. In 2015 Sean participated in the special and rare show "Mad Season / Seattle Symphony: Sonic Evolution / January 30, 2015 / Benaroya Hall" 30. In August 2018, the band released their sixth album "Rainier Fog" which they recorded in "Studio X", where the band's third album and the last with Layne was recorded. The album includes the singles: "The One You Know", "So Far Under", "Never Fade" and the album's theme song. "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On May 27, 2022, "The Texas Chainsaw" (not really) Mark Tremonti released a cover album of Frank Sinatra songs. Yes, yes... the formidable, powerful roaring guitarist steps out of his comfort zone and lands with a suit and tie straight into the orchestra. We're sure you did not expect or believe that such a thing could happen but we always knew that Tremonti is a unique musician and in this album, he just proved how much. (Photo: Chuck Brueckmann) Tremonti is creating this exciting and unique project called "Take a Chance on Charity". He uses this album to raise funds for the National Down Syndrome Society. The main goal of the new initiative is to encourage other musicians, sports figures, and celebrities with a famous platform, to go beyond what they know how to do in their profession, in order to raise funds for a charity of their choice. Tremonti sets a personal example and begins his initiative with his album "Mark Tremonti Sings Frank Sinatra", which includes a selection of songs from the catalog of the legendary musician. He recorded the songs with Sinatra's surviving band members and Sinatra's musical director, Mike Smith. Proceeds from the sale will go to the National Down Syndrome Society, a charity close to his heart since Termonti's daughter, Stella, was born with Down Syndrome. The album includes 14 songs when the first single from it "I've Got You Under My Skin" was released on 21/3/2022. You will not believe how he sounds and look like !!!! Tremonti himself said: "I think it all really started around Christmas when I was singing along with Frank Sinatra songs. It just felt like home to me. His vocal range is my vocal range. I don't really have to push anything or get too low. His vocal range is very comfortable for me. And I always liked his vocal approach". I think this project started when I dived deeper into Frank Sinatra when I saw some early videos from his career. There's a video for "The Song Is You" he made in 1944 and you see the young Frank Sinatra, almost shy, get up there and talk, and then when he opens his mouth to sing, you understand why he was such a huge star. It just made me shiver. I was like, "I want to sing just like that, maybe not for my rock, but I just want for fun to dive deeper into what he does and try to do that thing." I just went deeper and deeper and deeper, and I was obsessed with it. I read every book I could, watched every movie he was in, bought the book he wrote about poetry". "I think the best thing was to just listen to it, analyze it, listen to where he breathes, listen to the singing, the approach, and listen to how he presents and plays with the timing. I just memorized it and was obsessed with it until I got it". For Listening: Spotify Album Track List: 1. I’ve Got You Under My Skin 2. I’ve Got the World on a String 3. I Fall In Love Too Easily 4. Wave 5. Fly Me to the Moon 6. Nancy (With the Laughing Face) 7. My Way 8. You Make Me Feel So Young 9. Luck Be a Lady 10. That’s Life 11. Come Fly With Me 12. In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning 13. The Song Is You 14. All or Nothing at All "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

Lenny Kravitz is celebrating his birthday today, let's tell you some interesting facts about him: (Photo: Rich Fury) 1. Lenny Kravitz was born on May 26, 1964, in New York City, New York, United States. 2. His full name is Leonard Albert Kravitz. 3. He is of mixed heritage, with a Russian-Jewish father and an African American mother. 4. Kravitz's mother, Roxie Roker, was an actress known for her role in "The Jeffersons". 5. As a child, he was inspired to pursue music after seeing the Jackson 5 in concert. 6. Kravitz attended Beverly Hills High School, where he was classmates with Nicolas Cage, and Slash. 7. Kravitz is a multi-instrumentalist, proficient in playing the guitar, bass guitar, drums, piano, and various other instruments. He is also a classically trained pianist. 8. Lenny Kravitz's breakthrough came in 1989 with the release of his debut album, "Let Love Rule". An album with a combination of rock and funk with a 1960s vibe. 9. In 1990, Kravitz produced the song "Justify My Love" for Madonna, which he co-wrote with Ingrid Chavez. 10. In 1991 he released his second album "Mama Said", which drew influence from artists like Jimi Hendrix, Prince, "The Beatles", and "Led Zeppelin" on the one hand, and Curtis Mayfield and "Sly Stone" on the other. 11. That same year he produced the self-titled album, Vanessa Paradis. He played most of the instruments and co-wrote most of the songs. 12. In 1993, Kravitz wrote "Line Up" for "Aerosmith", and appeared on Mick Jagger's solo album, Wandering Spirit. 13. That same year he also played guitar on the title track of David Bowie's "The Buddha of Suburbia" album. 14. Kravitz's hit song "Are You Gonna Go My Way" from his third album of the same name released in 1993, further solidified his musical success. Kravitz earned a BRIT Award for best international male artist in 1994. 15. In 1994, Kravitz recorded "Main Squeeze" with Teena Marie from her "Passion Play" album. 16. That same year Kravitz recorded a funk-rock version of the song "Deuce" for the KISS cover album "Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved". The track featured Stevie Wonder on harmonica and background vocals. 17. In 1995, Kravitz released the album "Circus", containing hit singles: "Rock and Roll Is Dead" and "Can't Get You Off My Mind". 18. In 1998 Kravitz released "5", where he used digital technology and samplers for the first time. 19. In 1999, Kravitz won his first Grammy Award for "Best Male Rock Vocal" Performance for the song "Fly Away". 20. He has won four consecutive Grammy Awards in the same category from 1999 to 2002. 21. In 2000, he won the VH1 "Rock Honors" award. 22. In 2001 he co-wrote the song "God Gave Me Everything" with Mick Jagger taken from Jagger's solo album "Goddess in the Doorway". 23. That same year he released his sixth album "Lenny" containing the song "Bank Robber Man" written after the Miami Police Department detained and cuffed him while walking to the gym with his trainer because they stated that he matched the description of a bank robber. 24. In 2004 Kravitz's released his seventh album "Baptism" containing singles such as "Where Are We Runnin'?", "California", "Storm", featuring Jay-Z, and more. 25. Up until 2024 Kravitz released 12 albums selling over 40 million albums worldwide. 26. Kravitz was made an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2011. 27. In 2017 Kravitz was ranked at No. 93 on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock". 28. Kravitz is also a movie actor. He appeared in films such as "Precious", "The Butler", "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire", "Zoolander" and more. 29. His daughter, Zoë Kravitz, is an actress, with her mother being Lisa Bonet. 30. Kravitz has a passion for interior design and started his own design company, "Kravitz Design". "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website

On May 26, 1967, one of the most amazing things happened in the world of music, the album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", which is considered by many to be the best rock album of all time, was released. This is the Beatles' eighth album, which for years was ranked first on "Rolling Stone" magazine's 500 greatest albums of all time. The album is a milestone in the music world and has had a huge impact on many bands and artists. After "the Beatles'" members decided in 1966 to completely stop performing live, they were able to spend more time in the studio, studying, researching, and experimenting, with diverse musical instruments, different music styles, special sound edits, and state-of-the-art recording techniques. The goal was to create an album that is a complete and comprehensive work of art, as opposed to a collection of individual songs. It is important to emphasize that this is not yet a pure concept album in the full sense of the word, except for the theme song that returns at the end of the album (in the penultimate song) and a small hint in the song "With a Little Help From My Friends", there is no real connection between the songs on the album. Here are some interesting facts about the album: 1. The initial idea came from Paul McCartney, after writing the theme song that opens the album. The song portrays the Beatles as another "imaginary" band called Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club. 2. The name of the album came from small packets of salt and pepper that were handed out to the band members during the meal, with the caption 'S' and 'P' on them. McCartney was asked by the band's executive director what it meant and replied: "salt and pepper" and then "Sergeant Pepper". 3. Paul McCartney noted that the album was influenced by The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album. He also made a comparison to the album "Freak Out!" by Frank Zappa. 4. The recording of the album took 5 months and required about 700 studio hours. Just to clear the ear, the Beatles' first album was recorded in less than 10 hours. 5. The songs "A Day In The Life", "With a Little Help from My Friends" and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" were not included in the album version released in South Asia, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, due to concerns that these songs addressed and encouraged drug use. 6. The end of the song "A Day In The Life" includes a sound that only dogs can hear. 7. In the song "A Day In The Life" Lennon and McCartney took two songs and merged them together using the symphonic section recorded by 41 musicians. The connection point, after the words "I'd Love To Turn You On," is deliberately meant to sound like an orgasm. Due to that, the song was boycotted on BBC. 8. The first part of the song was influenced by two newspaper headlines that John Lennon read, one in the Daily Mail and it is the story of the car accident of Guinness heiress Tara Browne who was a member of the band and who introduced McCartney to LSD. Second, a headline from the Daily Express about 4,000 holes counted on the Blackburn freeway. 9. The last chord E of the song was recorded by three pianos that the band members played simultaneously. It took 9 takes to get the desired result. 10. Although the album's official release date was June 1, 1967, it was released on May 26 in the UK and June 2 in the US. 11. The song "Good Morning Good Morning" was influenced by a Kellogg breakfast cereal commercial. At the end of the song, a recording of various animals is heard. At Lennon's request, the order of appearance of the animals is according to their size. 12. The song "When I'm Sixty-Four" was originally intended to be a B-side to the song "Strawberry Fields", but was replaced with "Penny Lane". 13. The songs “Strawberry Fields” and “Penny Lane” were the first recorded in sessions for the album. They were supposed to be part of the album, but eventually were cut out and released as singles. 14. This is the first album in the history of music in which the lyrics were printed on the back cover. 15. The audience cheers between the songs "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and "With A Little Help From My Friends" were recorded by producer George Martin at one of the band's Hollywood Bowl performances. 16. McCartney's bass playing was recorded separately from the rest of the instruments throughout the album. This allowed him more room to improvise and find special melodies. 17. During the sessions, the song "Only a Northern Song" by George Harrison was also recorded, but it did not eventually enter the album. 18. The album cover was created by Peter Blake and Jann Haworth, for which they won the Grammy Award. 19. The album won 5 other Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. 20. Lennon initially asked that both Jesus and Adolf Hitler appear on the cover, but this did not happen. For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music "Face/Off" - Israel's Rock Blog Follow us on Facebook / Instagram or Subscribe to our website