Nirvana - On a Plain

One of many great songs by Nirvana, "On a Plain" is among my favorites too, because it really rocks and I enjoy hearing it anytime and anywhere. This song was an easy choice for me to put in my 100 Best Rock Songs List. I have always liked Kurt Cobain's singing. The vocals in this Nirvana song, including Kurt's strong lead singing and the smooth and sweet backing vocals are fantastic. I wonder how many times listeners click "Replay" because this song is so cool!

SAME GROUND- Kitchie Nadal

"Same Ground" by Kitchie Nadal is one of the best ballads in a long time.

Kitchie Nadal is singer, songwriter, guitarist from the Philippines and a very good singer at that!

As I wrote last time, she didn't beat or knock off Avril Lavigne, but what I meant is Kitchie didn't have to. I like Avril's singing but it doesn't compare to Kitchie's singing in this song, which is full of vocal beauty and emotion. Avril is the one who would have to knock off Kitchie!

"Same Ground" by Kitchie Nadal is one of my favorite ballads and it's hard to write objectively about this song. I like that it's slightly dissonant sounding, there's a lot of emotion in her singing voice, and the video is superb!

The first time I saw this video was when I visited the Philippines in 2005 and watched it on TV there many times, along with other videos. This was one of my favorite videos and always will be. So there! I'm not the best at being totally objective, but I did spend this most recent year and a half (a few hours a day, almost every day) thinking about other songs and watching countless other videos before I came back to this song.

I will add more on this at a later time, but it's sufficient to say right now that Kitchie's great singing was better than the singing of many other rock and pop ballads, and those included some of the songs by Elton John, Madonna, Michael Jackson and a number of rock bands. These artists still have a chance to reach my list of 100 Best Rock Songs, which will have crossover songs, pop/rock songs, and soft songs including ballads. Maybe I will have another list sometime that is (what I think are) the 100 Best Pop Songs, which of course would include those pop artists, and many more.

For now, though, it's my great pleasure to announce that Kitchie Nadal's song "Same Ground" will be in my soon to be published top 100 rock songs. Congratulations!

Great singer Kitchie Nadal

Before reacting, please read the next post because it's the most important.

Everyone talks about whether one singer is better than another one, and whether one song knocked off or beats another song.

Kitchie Nadal didn't knock off or beat Avril Lavigne, with whom she's been compared.

More next time.

Actually much more, and yes it's good and Kitchie's fans (and I'm one) really love her and her great singing. So, please check back and see what I have in addition to this post, which will be reversed in order once the other writing is published right here in The Overcast Inside.

It will be about as positive and sweet as it gets.

Rush - Fly By Night

"Fly By Night" will be in my list of 100 Best Rock Songs. Congratulations to the members of Rush!

I heard some songs on the radio tonight. I decided to drive at night to a few stores. Amazingly, some of the songs were ones that I was considering for the 100 Best Songs list. But now I know one or two were eliminated from further consideration or at least will have a tough time getting in.

I didn't hear "Fly By Night", a '70s hit by Rush, on the radio tonight. In my opinion, rock radio stations should play this classic rock song more often. Rush is a great rock band /power trio from Canada. Their blend of progressive rock and hard rock made them an especially well-liked rival to Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple especially in the mid to late '70s, when those bands were fading and Rush was at the peak of their powers.

Most bands have eight to 10 good solid years, some less and others more, but Rush has many, many more years than that and they seem to keep going. Hopefully some of their new fans will discover Rush's great music of the '70s and '80s, when they were one of the top bands.

Cherri Bomb - Spin

Cherri Bomb has a hit with their single "Spin". It's one of the best rock songs of 2010 and easily one of my favorites.

Cherri Bomb is an all-girl band with four female members between the ages of 12 and 14, according to the information with the video on YouTube. Please click on YouTube at the bottom of the video if you would like to read about the band.

Some aspects of this song remind me slightly of two other songs, one from the '80s by a well liked new-wave band and the other, a '90s song by a prog rock band of high regard. But it just shows me that the girls of Cherri Bomb have incredible taste in music.

HOLE "Letter to God" Live at Stubb's SPIN Party 3/19/10

This is a very good song! Courtney Love's performance really is terrific, and the emotion in her singing is why I like it so much.

I'm sure this song will continue to 'spin', play, or I'll hear some part of it, the melody, some lyrics, and see her expression in my mind for many weeks! To me, that means it's a successful comeback by Courtney and the band Hole. I didn't follow them back in the '90s but now I will.

『Lock On!!』 GacharicSpin

This song is a lot of fun!! I like the video because it makes me feel happy. Gacharic Spin is a fairly new band from Japan and this is a single by this band from 2010. I like that it has a good beat and really everything about this song is nice and interesting.

It's easy to tell that Gacharic Spin are talented and the band is much more than what meets the eye. For example, the bass playing is great and I like the singer's voice though it's impossible to not notice that she is a very pretty girl, too. I'm glad to see this new band getting off to a good start.

Here's one site where you can find out more about Gacharic Spin.

After encountering some difficulties that have made me nervous and unhappy about videos on YouTube, I've decided to reduce the scope of this blog to rather short opinion and comments.

Crossfade - Make Me A Believer (HQ)

This is a new song from the band Crossfade, released this year though their album "We All Bleed" will be released in 2011. I like this song a lot!

I have no connection to the video on YouTube, did not upload it, and do not necessarily agree with content or writing used to describe videos on that website. In other words, I take no responsibility for anything uploaded or posted there and also do not agree with many comments in that website.

I like the song "Make Me A Believer" by Crossfade

Crossfade is giving a free download of their song "Make Me A Believer" from their website Crossfadeband.com. Make sure to buy their album when it's out next year.

I've been waiting for the CD to show up in stores, but maybe it's best to check back at the Crossfade website to confirm the exact day it will be released.

In my opinion, this is a very good song, especially for fans of hard rock, and even more so for those who like hard progressive rock such as the band Rush. This is one of those epic songs that are rare these days, but it's good to see Crossfade bringing back music that many rock fans were missing.

I will point out my own personal bias and it's that Crossfade is one of my favorite bands in recent years, although I've been listening to their songs on the radio and YouTube and don't have any of their CDs yet. Crossfade had two songs on my list of 25 Best Songs of the '00s decade. Ed Sloan is a great singer and his outstanding vocals are a main reason why Crossfade was better than many of the other bands.

Note: There are other uploads of this song on that site but I chose this one after the first one it turned out had someone else's opinion on top of the video, and I disagree with their opinion.

I have no connection to the band or to individuals who upload music videos and I don't upload music videos. I take no responsibility for the videos and songs and do not necessarily agree with opinions which accompany videos, and in many cases strongly disagree with comments in the YouTube comments section.

My efforts here are to provide my short reviews and opinion, and in doing so, promote good and great music that is out there for purchase and to encourage people to buy CDs, purchase song downloads, go to concerts, and support the bands so they will keep putting out great music.

It turns out that double clicking on just any portion of this video won't open the video in YouTube, but if you click on the words YouTube at the bottom of any video, it will open the video on YouTube. Have a nice day!

Many good songs this year

The rock and pop songs this year appear to be of a wider variety than in recent years. Some of the songs released this year will be mentioned in this blog, beginning immediately.

However, songs from 2010 will not be on the 1970 to 2010 rock song list, meaning songs that are on this list had to be released before January 1, 2010 in one form or another.

For example, a single or any song released in 2009 could get on the list even though the album or CD was released this year. The same would be true if the album or CD had been released last year but the single didn't come out until 2010. In fact, it doesn't matter if the song is a single or not, and instrumentals also can get on my rock list.

Faspitch - A Day Before Pisces

Faspitch is a very good band from Cebu, Philippines, and their song "A Day Before Pisces" really rocks and sounds great! I chose this song for the the '100 Best' (from 1970 to 2010) after comparing it to well-known alternative hard rock and alternative & progressive metal songs, including some songs by Deftones, Korn, Tool, and others.

I'm not saying those other bands won't make the list, only that this song by Faspitch is great, too. Faspitch vocalist Henry Allen has a terrific singing voice and in this song it's better than many of the other vocalists of similar sounding bands. It's a cool video, too, by the way!

I'm not ready to compare songs that will be on the list and probably won't get into why some songs made the list and others did not. However, there will be more songs on my list by other bands who blend metal, rock, and other genres and styles, which means in this modern world of rock music just about anything goes.

Black Flag- Black Coffee

You could listen to the song "Black Coffee" while drinking coffee with cream and sugar, but maybe it's best with nothing added.

I'm drinking it black at the moment, in honor of Black Flag, a hardcore punk band of the '70s and '80s, and their song "Black Coffee" ('1982 Demos' version) which will be on my list of 100 Best Rock Songs, from 1970 to 2010, to be published this year. Congratulations!

Alice Cooper on being a Christian

I'm just gonna let Alice tell about his beliefs in the video and not write any of my comments. Note: Some comments by other people under the video are not for kids to read, so be careful. Although Alice is helping kids, so listen to the whole video. It's cool!

SLOT English Announcement (plus two English song teasers)

This isn't a recent announcement so please read all the official information that was with the video. However, it was a good way for SLOT, an alternative-metal band from Russia, to introduce themselves to new listeners. (Double click the video to go to this video the way it appears on YouTube, with additional information and link to contact the band.) I will add more links and contact information later.

In my opinion, SLOT is one of the best bands these days and they are beginning to gain more worldwide attention. Many of their songs are in Russian (although more songs will be in English) and some of their videos as well as other videos featuring their songs are on YouTube, and some have English translations. I've only known about SLOT this year and just for a few months.

Anyone looking for new music, and specifically alternative-metal/alternative-rock should listen to their songs. I'm sure SLOT would like to hear from their listeners and know they are attracting new fans everywhere. I'm looking forward to buying their CDs, both in Russian and English, but hopefully the Russian CD has a copy of the lyrics because I can read some Russian, and look up words in my Russian dictionary, too.

Said The People - Dinosaur Jr.

A masterpiece in modern rock music, the song "Said The People" by Dinosaur Jr. from their album "Farm", released in 2009, is clearly a glimmer of hope for those who love grunge rock but thought it went extinct in the '90s.

Dinosaur Jr Interview

Here's a very nice interview of J Mascis from Dinosaur Jr. It's an NME interview and I like it a lot.

I came across this video yesterday on YouTube. It's being mentioned today because Dinosaur Jr., with a great song, just this morning 'smashed' the 100 Best Songs list which I've been working on for more than a year. After I complete the list, I will publish it here.

The interview also can be watched at NME VIDEO on YouTube.

Black Sabbath - War Pigs

Some things grow on you, but in this case a very heavy (metal) statement makes us grow. It's right-on man, against war, but it's also powerful heavy metal.

With the song "War Pigs", Black Sabbath reaches my list of 100 Best Rock Songs. They are clearly deserving of all the admiration from heavy metal and hard-rock fans.

I haven't published the list but hope to put it on this blog in the next month.

Led Zeppelin- Kashmir

Led Zeppelin is considered one of the greatest rock bands of all time and their song "Kashmir" is among the most beautiful rock songs ever.

How easy it was for me to decide "Kashmir" will be on my list of 100 Best Rock Songs.

Note: My list will have songs from 1970 to 2010, although there will be a few songs from 1969 because some singles released in 1969 would still be on the charts in 1970. However, I am not considering only 'singles' and not limiting my list to songs that received radio airplay.

Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band Neon Meate Dream Of A Octafish

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band broke free from artificial boundaries of what was accepted in music to make songs that were ahead of their time and of lasting significance. "Neon Meate Dream of a Octafish" is a track from their album "Trout Mask Replica", released in 1969. The song features perhaps the best and most beautiful clashing of instruments I've ever heard near the end of song.

The lyrics are strange and the style is spoken more like a poetry reading, and no matter what the song is really about, it does give a very nice jolt to my imagination. I feel like I'm watching one of those nature programs and the narrator lost his script, so he just starts reading some interesting poetry about what he thinks is going on in the animal's mind. Cool!

Well, one thing is for certain, this song is great whether you call it experimental rock, progressive rock, art rock, or something else, and it reaches my list of 100 Best Rock Songs (1970-2010) even though it was from 1969. I decided to allow a few songs from 1969 because some albums are released and then singles later on, or the single was released near the end of the year and continues on the charts the following year. However, I decided that all songs, including all tracks and singles, had the same chance but of course to get on the list the song must be great the way the Beefheart song is.

Note: I do not upload music videos to YouTube and to my knowledge don't know who put those videos on that website. I'm only sharing it here, as with other videos, for the purpose of giving my opinion and entertainment to promote these fine recording artists, their songs and rock music, and be helpful to those trying to find out about music. Please support bands by buying their albums, CDs, and going to concerts.

Fell On Black Days-Soundgarden

Soundgarden is right up there with Nirvana in terms of grunge-rock greatness. "Fell On Black Days" is an amazingly beautiful hard rock song. Everything in the song is outstanding, especially the lyrics and Chris Cornell's singing which is among the finest I've ever heard. "Fell On Black Days" will be on my top 100 rock songs list over the last 40 years.

Nirvana - Come As You Are

Nirvana is one of the greatest bands in rock music history. "Come As You Are" by Nirvana is among the best songs from the '90s. It's a grunge-rock song that really rocks but also has a nice, clean sound.

"Come As You Are" was an easy choice for my list of 100 best rock songs.

King Crimson - Frame by Frame

King Crimson's song "Frame by Frame" is one of the best hard-rocking progressive rock songs ever.

They were one of the top three or four bands of the '80s, in my opinion. A lot of people think the '80s rock music was only about U2 and that all the other bands came in far behind. But I don't see it that way.

U2 deserved the recognition they received, but King Crimson should have gotten more recognition themselves.

"Frame by Frame" will be on my list of 100 Best Rock Songs once I publish the list on this blog. Congratulations to King Crimson!

Flyleaf - I'm So Sick

Watch out for that Scream by Lacey Mosley!

Great singing, Lacey.

Congratulations Flyleaf for making my list of 100 best rock songs.

God, please bring me a girlfriend LIKE...

Lacey Mosley.

I said LIKE. She's married, right? Well, there are plenty of pretty gals out there. I really ought to go back to church, 'cause I just might find one... But probably not.

Okay, this is headed somewhere and when I can figure out where, I'll let you know...well, I already did. Just see the next post (above).

The song "I'm So Sick" by Flyleaf makes my list of 100 Best Rock Songs, right after "Strutter" by Kiss makes my list. (Note: The order of the announcement of songs on my list has nothing to do with the order of songs on list or which numbers they are on the list.)

Nice Sunday, if I do say so myself!

Kiss - Strutter

This is a great rock song by KISS.

It's the first song since I started this new blog to reach my list of 100 Best Rock Songs. Most of the songs on my list are already decided upon, and Kiss will have more songs on my 100 best list.

Let's Rock-It!!

You are welcome here any time of day or night. And who knows, you could be here the same time I am.

Does "The Overcast Inside" refer to Grunge Rock or the grey sky, dark clouds, and generally bad weather we tend to bring inside of ourselves emotionally?

Sure, but even more than that...let's Rock in The Overcast Inside!

My writing will be mainly about rock music.