Tag Archives: Dave Grohl

Tenacious D – Rize Of The Fenix

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Finally (as The Rock might put it), Tenacious D have unleashed a new album on the world! It’s been a long wait since their last album, the critically panned Pick Of Destiny (although I was and remain a fan). Fears that the band were done abounded, and many fell into a deep slough of despair. Surely The D could not be over? These were dark times….

But then a light was seen through the darkness. Was this a sign that The D were not yet done? And then the light became brighter, and increased in luminosity, until it was very bright indeed. So bright in fact, that it entered our hearts, and let us know that like the Phoenix, The D had risen again!

Ok, so basically that was a long and silly way of saying that Tenacious D were written off after a poorly received second album, but have triumphantly returned with a new opus, Rize Of The Fenix. And it’s a blistering return to form. Back are the brilliant voice only shorts that were the hallmarks of the first album. I dare you not to laugh out loud in a public place when listening to ‘Flutes & Trombones’. And I defy you not to ruin yet more underwear in a laughter based accident when listening to ‘Classical Teacher’.

Of course there are the type of rocking tunes that made The D famous in the first place present here as well. Using the highly successful formula of melding greatly immature but undeniably amusing (and at times hilarious) lyrics with the vocal talent of Jack Black and the guitar work of both he and Kyle Gass (not to mention the return of Dave Grohl on drums), The D rock your face off with scorching tunes. The title track is a great example, fusing brazenly juvenile lyrics with some virtuoso guitar work from Kage (Kyle Gass) and another soaring vocal performance from Jaibles (Jack Black). It’s important to acknowledge the genius in the musicianship behind the humour. Whilst there’s always a risk that the musical ability can be lost in the humour, The D once more make sure that it shines through and that it strides powerfully alongside it, posing a juggernaut double assault on the listener. Another Tenacious D hallmark, their acoustic work, is also strongly represented here, with perhaps ‘39’ being the best such tune of the album. The array of styles shown on this album is another strong point, with full on metal assaults (‘Deth Starr’), mariachi madness (‘Señoriota’) rockabilly rampage (‘Rock Is Dead’) and even 80’s style synthesiser driven destruction (‘To Be The Best’) all sitting comfortably alongside each other.

To melt down the previous 391 words into something more coherent and cogent, Tenacious D have basically reverted to the formula that made their first album such a success, and upped the song writing from the Pick Of Destiny to a whole new level above it. Rize Of The Fenix has done exactly what it’s title sets out, and this album will sit along their debut in Tenacious D’s pantheon. A thrilling, majestic and utterly excellent return to form, this album will surely feature in many ‘best of’ end of year lists. And if it doesn’t, you need to have words.

8/10.

Stuart Manson

Tenacious D – Rize Of The Fenix

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It’s finally happened, even though many said it wouldn’t, even couldn’t, happen. You may have felt it. It started out as a distant rumbling, or just a feeling of something in the air. You didn’t know what it was, but you knew it was big, that it was important. You couldn’t place the feeling inside you had, until you suddenly realised that it was excitement you were feeling. Then it happened. There were rumours of it, even heavy hints, but nothing official, until March 26th, the day that official marked the return of the best band in the world ever, Tenacious D. The world wept tears of joy, and hopes of world peace were talked of. The D had returned, and all was well again.

 

Ok, mass hyperbole out of the way, let’s try and be semi serious here, which is hard to do when The D are the subject matter, as they are a frankly ridiculous band, but in the best possible way. The band were rightly hailed as utterly brilliant following the released of their debut album, the self titled Tenacious D. Songs like ‘Wonderboy’, ‘Fuck Her Gently’ and the instant classic ‘Tribute’ were massive hits, and are still considered shining lights in the echelons of rock history. The band decided to go one step further, and make the long talked about Tenacious D film, releasing an accompanying album. This is where it all went wrong. The film, The Pick Of Destiny, was lambasted as average as best, and the album of the same name suffered the same fate, despite featuring such luminaries as the late, great Dio, Meat Loaf and Dave Grohl. The band were written off as a lame comedy act, has beens, a novelty act who’s time had come and gone (at this point I have to add that I loved, indeed still love, both the film and album). All seemed lost…

 

Yet all was not lost. The D played some shows in the intervening time, always to a great reception, and were always in demand. And the minds and souls of the band’s fans waited for the return of their heroes, positive that they would return one day to reclaim their crown. And sure enough, they’ve done just that. The new album is ready, and will be released on May the 15th, and will be titled Rize Of The Fenix, and the lead single of the same name is available on the band’s website to stream for free. And I can happily report that the song is a blistering return to form, featuring the great guitar work of Kyle Gass, the amazing vocal talents of Jack Black and immense comedy of the lyrics. The tune basically encapsulates what I’ve just written about in the last 446 or so words. Take the opening lyrics;

“When The Pick Of Destiny was released it was a bomb

and the critics said that the D was done

the sun had set and the chapter had closed, but one thing no one thought about was The D would rise again!

Just like the Phoenix!”

Of course The D are more amusing than I attempt to be, although so is a farting baby, but The D make is seem effortless, and unlike the baby do it without bursting into tears immediately afterwards. ‘Rize Of The Fenix’ is a great way for The D to announce their triumphant return. It rocks, using heavy guitars yet also the acoustic guitar style the band are famous for, and Dave Grohl reprises his role behind the drum kit. There’s even some great back and forth vocals from Black and Gass, ala ‘Beezleboss’ or ‘City Hall’, and the usual vocal histrionics from Black. There are times of great and fantastic immaturity in the lyrics, set off by the usual stunning musicianship. It’s a great track that would sit well on their first album, but for now is a great reintroduction to The D, and a big sign of things to come for their new album.

Tenacious D have returned, and we must hail them as our awesome overlords.

 

The single ‘Rize Of The Fenix’ is available to stream for FREE from the band’s website, and the album of the same name will released May the 15th.

 

Stuart Manson

The Joy Formidable – Cradle

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Ah, The Joy Formidable, a favourite of ours here at ASR, and especially of this writer. In fact they’re so good that their debut album, the excellent The Big Roar, is currently this reviewer’s album of the year, and it’s going to take some beating to dislodge it.

 

You may recall we reviewed The Joy Formidable’s previous single, ‘A Heavy Abacus’ (click here) rather favourably, and now with their new single, ‘Cradle’, you might see why their album is so highly regarded.

 

As indeed ‘Cradle’ is also rather magnificent, another terrific slice of rock from the Welsh trio. It’s a short, sharp spiky number, clocking in at just 2.46 long, but it’s more than enough time for it to become firmly entrenched in your memory. In fact from the very first seconds, when a buzzing bass riff and pounding drums kick in with no introduction punctuated with some mean ‘Oooh-ing’, it’s practically digging itself into your brain, establishing a fortified structure from it which it will never be dislodged. This is not a bad thing though, as the song is quite brilliant and if you had any sense you’d simply open up and just let it in. It drives along at a relentless pace, with the aforementioned buzzing bass and pounding drums carrying the tune like a wave carries a surfer. Vocalist Ritzy Brian delivers a fantastic breathtaking delivery throughout, desperately singing line after line in her unique and exceptional voice.

However it’s during the choruses that the song really shines. The band manage to find yet another, higher gear to kick into, and do so with glee. It’s like the build up to the chorus is a rollercoaster on the up section just before the drop, and the chorus itself is the exhilarating descent. The guitar really kicks in, the drumming takes on a more frenzied and frantic beat, with the bass still raging away underneath and the vocals are delivered to a backdrop of more ‘oo-ing’;

“I wish, oh, I wish
I wish the cobwebs would cover me
Cover me, cover me”

 

The Joy Formidable are so good that they make even a song about staying in a relationship when you don’t want to utterly joyous and fantastic. They’ve struck gold with their debut album, The Big Roar, and as noted before they’ve not gone unnoticed with none that Dave Grohl as a fan, so much so that he personally invited them to open for the Foo Fighters East Coast leg of their U.S. tour next month (which includes a date at the world famous Madison Square Gardens). They’ve also performed live on the notorious ‘David Letterman show’ (check it out on their website). Expect big things of this band, especially if their ambitions match their music. Awesome, awesome stuff.

 

‘Cradle’ is out now and is available to download from the band’s website (click here) and other online music outlets. The album The Big Roar is also out and is available from the same sources.

Stuart Manson