Trollheart's Theme Park

Trollheart · 12-13-2016, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

You're thinking of "Octupus's Garden" on the fan hatred.

Well I'm certainly no expert on the Beatles. Seems Lennon didn't like it though.
Anyway, moving on...

Title: “The Ripper”
Format: Album track
Written by: ?
Performed by: Pallas
Genre: Progressive Rock
Taken from: Arrive Alive
Year: 1981
Acclaim: n/a

When I first heard this song it was already live, via the 1981 album Arrive Alive (on which, curiously enough although you don't care, the first and title track was studio) so I don't know where it originally came from, as it seems to have been part of Scottish prog rocker Pallas's set for several years at that point, greeted as it is with enthusiasm when it starts up on this album. It's a long song, almost fifteen minutes (at least, the live version is) and sung alternately in the third and first person, though at times you wonder if the point of view is actually being seen from inside the mind of the eponymous Ripper?

Anyhow, the song seems to suggest at the end that after receiving medical treatment the Ripper goes on to become Prime Minister, which is, I think, asking a lot of my suspension of disbelief. Nevertheless, the menace with which the song is sung and its interesting denouement with that unsettling cackling laugh at the end is worth giving this track your time to listen to. Not suite in the same vein as other rockier songs about killers, it's more the knife slid elegantly across the throat in the dark than the mallet crushing the head, but the result is the same: it fucking kills.

Things I like about this :

Oh, where do I start?
1. The long and ominous intro
2. The crazy drum and keyboard part after the intro
3. The crazed voice of Euan Lowson
4. The mad laughter at the end
5. The ominous synth run at the end
6. The ideas in the lyric
7. The childlike nursery-rhyme-like bit
8. Pop goes the weasel (“He always was a little ... different.”)

Things I don't like about this:

Nothing

Rating:

Trollheart · 12-13-2016, 02:54 PM

We would of course have to have a Slayer song for this section, and I did consider "Angel of Death", but while Mengele was a mass murderer, it was state-sponsored killing, so not really what I would class as a serial killer. Jeffrey Dahmer, now, on the other hand...

Title: “213”
Format: Album track
Written by: Tom Araya and Jeff Hanneman
Performed by: Slayer
Genre: Heavy Metal
Taken from: Divine Intervention
Year: 1994
Acclaim: n/a

How could I leave this one out? Slayer have of course written a few songs about killers and even serial killers, but the grand-daddy of them all? Jeffrey “eat your face” Dahmer? That's setting the bar pretty high (or low, depending on your view) right there. If there was going to be one band capable of taking on a song about one of the most evil serial killers in history, then Slayer were the ones to step up. And they don't disappoint, with a spooky, eerie guitar intro putting you right in the killer's sights as he stalks you down some dark corridor. The sudden punch of Kerry King's power chords is like the knife plunging into your back, the trundling drumbeat your legs folding underneath you as you fall...

Things I like about this :

1. Great spooky intro
2. Builds really well, no vocals till well into the second minute
3. Rocks like a fucker once it gets going
4. Great lyric
5. Excellent solo
6. The abrupt ending

Things I don't like about this:

Nothing

Rating:

Trollheart · 12-13-2016, 03:19 PM

Let's keep it Metal for now. And when I say Metal...

Title: “Waxwork”
Format: Album track
Written by: Matt Harvey
Performed by: Exhumed
Genre: Death Metal/Grindcore
Taken from: Anatomy is Destiny
Year: 2003
Acclaim: n/a

Ah I fucking hate grindcore, but this one wormed its way under my flesh and would not leave, purely from the lyric I read. It's fucking hilarious, the way Matt Harvey talks of killing people (I assume women, though it's not confirmed; could be men too) and then preserving them in wax. If you look on it at one level it's horrifying, very John Christie/Rillington Place, but on another it's just so funny and, in fairness, the lyric is very well written. I couldn't give a toss about the music or the singing, but for lyrical content alone this won me over.

Things I like about this :

1.The lyric. That's it.

Things I don't like about this:

Everything else. But man, that lyric!

Rating:

Trollheart · 12-13-2016, 03:33 PM

Title: “Nebraska”
Format: Album track
Written by: Bruce Springsteen
Performed by: Bruce Springsteen
Genre: Folk Rock
Taken from: Nebraska
Year: 1982
Acclaim: n/a

Often, the true test of an artiste is can they sing and play without any accompaniment, studio trickery, electronics, backing; a literal “unplugged” where it's just them and their chosen instrument. Well, in the case of The Boss the answer was of course an emphatic “yes!” Now recognised as one of his most celebrated albums and consistently chosen as their favourite by fans, the album Nebraska is entirely acoustic, just Bruce and his guitar, and occasionally a harmonica. The title track envisions the story of Charles Starkweather, a serial killer who went on a rampage in Nebraska and Wyoming in the late fifties with his girlfriend and slew eleven people before being caught, tried and eventually put to death. The bleak, dismal atmosphere evoked by Springsteen's drawled, almost bored vocal accompanied only by guitar and harmonica conjures up exactly the kind of “why not?” idea that killers often profess, as in the end here where, when asked why he killed, Starkweather, or at least Springsteen's character here, replies “I guess there's just a meanness in this world.” Chilling.

Things I like about this :

Everything; the starkness, the loneliness evoked, the harshness of the harmonica contrasting with the softly strummed guitar. Just perfect.

Things I don't like about this:

Nothing

Rating:

The Batlord · 12-13-2016, 05:12 PM

I guess I'll give Springsteen the benefit of the doubt and give him a few more shots to win me over, but that album bored the snot out of me. I seem to remember thinking it sounded like country for people who don't listen to country.

And lol @ TH listening to Exhumed.

Trollheart · 12-13-2016, 05:17 PM

Title: “Psycho killer”
Format: Single
Written by: David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth
Performed by: Talking Heads
Genre: New Wave/Art Pop
Taken from: Talking Heads
Year: 1977
Acclaim: Although not originally a big hit, though it did well in much of Europe, this has become one of Talking Heads' most famous and most recognisable songs, a real standard.

You always know David Byrne singing. There's just no way to mistake that distinctive voice, and though this was originally performed three years prior to the release of their debut album when they were a band called The Artistic, it is now well known as a popular and classic Talking Heads song. The usage of French in the song is odd, and never quite explained (but then, this is Byrne we're talking about) but from that funky bass intro to the slightly unhinged vocal, you can't help but be hooked.

Things I like about this :

Pretty much everything

Things I don't like about this:

Nothing

Rating:

Trollheart · 12-13-2016, 05:27 PM

Title: “Killer”
Format: Single
Written by: Adamski and Seal
Performed by: Adamski and Seal
Genre: House/Soul/IDM
Taken from: Doctor Adamski's Musical Pharmacy
Year: 1990
Acclaim: Reached no. 1 in the UK; was also the first hit single for Seal.

The breakthrough single for record producer Adamski, this was also the first shot at fame for Seal, who later went on to find fame as something of a superstar himself. In fact, he capitalised on the success of this single when he recorded a version himself for his debut album the following year. The song is classic nineties House, full of funky beats, tight percussion and very danceable I'm sure. Not my type of music but I must admit I liked this, and still do.

Things I like about this :

1. The beat
2. The wailing keyboard
3. Seal's vocal

Things I don't like about this:

Nothing

Rating:

Trollheart · 12-14-2016, 05:22 AM

Title: “John Wayne Gacy Jr”
Format: Album track
Written by: Sufjan Stevens
Performed by: Sufjan Stevens
Genre: Folk/Indie
Taken from: Illinois
Year: 2005
Acclaim: n/a

A different take on the serial killer, another infamous one, this time John Wayne Gacy, the man who dressed like a clown when he killed over thirty men and boys, also raping them. In a similar manner to Springsteen's recounting of the tale of Charles Starkweather on “Nebraska”, Stevens takes a more relaxed approach to the song, however in the end there's a sting in the tail.

Things I like about this :

1. Lovely piano intro with soft acoustic guitar
2. Gentle vocal
3. The sense of horror in Stevens' voice at times
4. The shocking payoff at the end, the dark secret he reveals

Things I don't like about this:

Nothing

Rating:

Trollheart · 12-14-2016, 05:24 AM

Title: “Mack the Knife”
Format: Single
Written by: Kurt Weill/Berthold Brecht (Original); Mark Blitzstein/Turk Murphy (English version)
Performed by: Bobby Darin
Genre: Pop/Jazz
Taken from: That's All
Year: 1959
Acclaim: One of the most famous and covered songs of the period, with everyone from Louis Armstrong to Ella Fitzgerald and Sinatra to Robbie Williams having a go.

Originally written as part of The Threepenny Opera in German in 1928 and translated into English in 1933. Since then it has been reinterpreted and had its lyrics changed, and is now recognisable as one of the classic songs from the fifties and sixties, with this version by then pop idol Bobby Darin making it into the charts and securing for himself a number one hit. I think just about everyone will know the song, so no point in my describing it. If you for some reason don't know it, click the video.

Things I like about this :

1. The swing/jazz rhythm which defies you not to move your body
2. Darin's vocal
3. The smooth brass
4. The lyric
5. The way it slowly builds up in layers

Things I don't like about this:

Nothing

Rating:

Trollheart · 12-14-2016, 10:34 AM

Not a song about a killer, serial or otherwise, but I did mention when opening the journal that I might also look at bands or artistes who had the theme in their name, as here:

Title: “All these things that I've done”
Format: Single
Written by: Brandon Flowers
Performed by: The Killers
Genre: Pop/ Alt-rock
Taken from: Hot Fuss
Year: 2004
Acclaim: Reached no. 18 in the UK

The first time I heard this song I loved it. I have since not gone on to become a big fan of The Killers, which I guess just proves that just because one song is great it doesn't necessarily mean you're going to get into the band. It was the same with Embrace: loved “Ashes” to death but the album kind of left me meh. I'd still listen to the odd Killers song, but I wouldn't really be arsed listening to a whole album.

Things I like about this :

1. The gospel/organ opening
2. The bass and percussion opening
3. The Big Country style guitar
4. The gospel chorus
5. The build up to the final chorus

Things I don't like about this:

Nothing

Rating:

12-13-2016, 02:54 PM	#102 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	We would of course have to have a Slayer song for this section, and I did consider "Angel of Death", but while Mengele was a mass murderer, it was state-sponsored killing, so not really what I would class as a serial killer. Jeffrey Dahmer, now, on the other hand... Title: “213” Format: Album track Written by: Tom Araya and Jeff Hanneman Performed by: Slayer Genre: Heavy Metal Taken from: Divine Intervention Year: 1994 Acclaim: n/a How could I leave this one out? Slayer have of course written a few songs about killers and even serial killers, but the grand-daddy of them all? Jeffrey “eat your face” Dahmer? That's setting the bar pretty high (or low, depending on your view) right there. If there was going to be one band capable of taking on a song about one of the most evil serial killers in history, then Slayer were the ones to step up. And they don't disappoint, with a spooky, eerie guitar intro putting you right in the killer's sights as he stalks you down some dark corridor. The sudden punch of Kerry King's power chords is like the knife plunging into your back, the trundling drumbeat your legs folding underneath you as you fall... Things I like about this : 1. Great spooky intro 2. Builds really well, no vocals till well into the second minute 3. Rocks like a fucker once it gets going 4. Great lyric 5. Excellent solo 6. The abrupt ending Things I don't like about this: Nothing Rating: __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018 Last edited by Trollheart; 12-14-2016 at 09:47 AM.

12-13-2016, 03:19 PM	#103 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Let's keep it Metal for now. And when I say Metal... Title: “Waxwork” Format: Album track Written by: Matt Harvey Performed by: Exhumed Genre: Death Metal/Grindcore Taken from: Anatomy is Destiny Year: 2003 Acclaim: n/a Ah I fucking hate grindcore, but this one wormed its way under my flesh and would not leave, purely from the lyric I read. It's fucking hilarious, the way Matt Harvey talks of killing people (I assume women, though it's not confirmed; could be men too) and then preserving them in wax. If you look on it at one level it's horrifying, very John Christie/Rillington Place, but on another it's just so funny and, in fairness, the lyric is very well written. I couldn't give a toss about the music or the singing, but for lyrical content alone this won me over. Things I like about this : 1.The lyric. That's it. Things I don't like about this: Everything else. But man, that lyric! Rating: __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-13-2016, 03:33 PM	#104 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Title: “Nebraska” Format: Album track Written by: Bruce Springsteen Performed by: Bruce Springsteen Genre: Folk Rock Taken from: Nebraska Year: 1982 Acclaim: n/a Often, the true test of an artiste is can they sing and play without any accompaniment, studio trickery, electronics, backing; a literal “unplugged” where it's just them and their chosen instrument. Well, in the case of The Boss the answer was of course an emphatic “yes!” Now recognised as one of his most celebrated albums and consistently chosen as their favourite by fans, the album Nebraska is entirely acoustic, just Bruce and his guitar, and occasionally a harmonica. The title track envisions the story of Charles Starkweather, a serial killer who went on a rampage in Nebraska and Wyoming in the late fifties with his girlfriend and slew eleven people before being caught, tried and eventually put to death. The bleak, dismal atmosphere evoked by Springsteen's drawled, almost bored vocal accompanied only by guitar and harmonica conjures up exactly the kind of “why not?” idea that killers often profess, as in the end here where, when asked why he killed, Starkweather, or at least Springsteen's character here, replies “I guess there's just a meanness in this world.” Chilling. Things I like about this : Everything; the starkness, the loneliness evoked, the harshness of the harmonica contrasting with the softly strummed guitar. Just perfect. Things I don't like about this: Nothing Rating: __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-13-2016, 05:17 PM	#106 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Title: “Psycho killer” Format: Single Written by: David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth Performed by: Talking Heads Genre: New Wave/Art Pop Taken from: Talking Heads Year: 1977 Acclaim: Although not originally a big hit, though it did well in much of Europe, this has become one of Talking Heads' most famous and most recognisable songs, a real standard. You always know David Byrne singing. There's just no way to mistake that distinctive voice, and though this was originally performed three years prior to the release of their debut album when they were a band called The Artistic, it is now well known as a popular and classic Talking Heads song. The usage of French in the song is odd, and never quite explained (but then, this is Byrne we're talking about) but from that funky bass intro to the slightly unhinged vocal, you can't help but be hooked. Things I like about this : Pretty much everything Things I don't like about this: Nothing Rating: __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-13-2016, 05:27 PM	#107 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Title: “Killer” Format: Single Written by: Adamski and Seal Performed by: Adamski and Seal Genre: House/Soul/IDM Taken from: Doctor Adamski's Musical Pharmacy Year: 1990 Acclaim: Reached no. 1 in the UK; was also the first hit single for Seal. The breakthrough single for record producer Adamski, this was also the first shot at fame for Seal, who later went on to find fame as something of a superstar himself. In fact, he capitalised on the success of this single when he recorded a version himself for his debut album the following year. The song is classic nineties House, full of funky beats, tight percussion and very danceable I'm sure. Not my type of music but I must admit I liked this, and still do. Things I like about this : 1. The beat 2. The wailing keyboard 3. Seal's vocal Things I don't like about this: Nothing Rating: __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-14-2016, 05:22 AM	#108 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Title: “John Wayne Gacy Jr” Format: Album track Written by: Sufjan Stevens Performed by: Sufjan Stevens Genre: Folk/Indie Taken from: Illinois Year: 2005 Acclaim: n/a A different take on the serial killer, another infamous one, this time John Wayne Gacy, the man who dressed like a clown when he killed over thirty men and boys, also raping them. In a similar manner to Springsteen's recounting of the tale of Charles Starkweather on “Nebraska”, Stevens takes a more relaxed approach to the song, however in the end there's a sting in the tail. Things I like about this : 1. Lovely piano intro with soft acoustic guitar 2. Gentle vocal 3. The sense of horror in Stevens' voice at times 4. The shocking payoff at the end, the dark secret he reveals Things I don't like about this: Nothing Rating: __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-14-2016, 05:24 AM	#109 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Title: “Mack the Knife” Format: Single Written by: Kurt Weill/Berthold Brecht (Original); Mark Blitzstein/Turk Murphy (English version) Performed by: Bobby Darin Genre: Pop/Jazz Taken from: That's All Year: 1959 Acclaim: One of the most famous and covered songs of the period, with everyone from Louis Armstrong to Ella Fitzgerald and Sinatra to Robbie Williams having a go. Originally written as part of The Threepenny Opera in German in 1928 and translated into English in 1933. Since then it has been reinterpreted and had its lyrics changed, and is now recognisable as one of the classic songs from the fifties and sixties, with this version by then pop idol Bobby Darin making it into the charts and securing for himself a number one hit. I think just about everyone will know the song, so no point in my describing it. If you for some reason don't know it, click the video. Things I like about this : 1. The swing/jazz rhythm which defies you not to move your body 2. Darin's vocal 3. The smooth brass 4. The lyric 5. The way it slowly builds up in layers Things I don't like about this: Nothing Rating: __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-14-2016, 10:34 AM	#110 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Not a song about a killer, serial or otherwise, but I did mention when opening the journal that I might also look at bands or artistes who had the theme in their name, as here: Title: “All these things that I've done” Format: Single Written by: Brandon Flowers Performed by: The Killers Genre: Pop/ Alt-rock Taken from: Hot Fuss Year: 2004 Acclaim: Reached no. 18 in the UK The first time I heard this song I loved it. I have since not gone on to become a big fan of The Killers, which I guess just proves that just because one song is great it doesn't necessarily mean you're going to get into the band. It was the same with Embrace: loved “Ashes” to death but the album kind of left me meh. I'd still listen to the odd Killers song, but I wouldn't really be arsed listening to a whole album. Things I like about this : 1. The gospel/organ opening 2. The bass and percussion opening 3. The Big Country style guitar 4. The gospel chorus 5. The build up to the final chorus Things I don't like about this: Nothing Rating: __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018