In the late summer of the U.S. Bicentennial, an album was unleashed upon the public which caused much rumor-mongering and gossip within the music world. That album was 3:47 EST , the debut album by Canadian progressive/psychedelic group Klaatu. The album was hailed superb by critics and fans alike. Furthermore, what people couldn't get over was the striking similarity between the style of some of the tunes on the album with The Beatles' music. Thus, the inevitable "did The Beatles reunite to make an album?" rumors began. Supposedly, in 1966, The Beatles recorded enough material [...]
Filed under: The Hit List Plenty of bands have taken their names from film titles, but it takes a special kind of movie nerd to rock a reference to some obscure character or snag a favorite line of dialogue for their moniker. Here are 20 bands that probably still pay to see movies in the theater. Duran Duran Here's a shocker: The stylish, oversexed British New Wave superstars borrowed their name from an "erotic science [...]
Song: The Lonliest of Creatures Artist: Klaatu Album: Hope Comments: The title of this post was taken from an NME article in the 70s. Apparently there was a rumor back in the late 70s that this band was actually a reformed Beatles. After listening to the album several times it's clear that NME was apparently correct once in the last 50 years. Still this Beatles-esque pop is an interesting listen and completely understandable considering the state of Pop music in 1977. Song: Dissident Aggressor Artist: Judas Priest Album: [...]
In recognition of the opening of the major motion picture The Day the Earth Stood Still , a special guest, Klaatu , has entered the Halls of Rock to pose 5 questions for earthlings. These questions can only be answered after listening to the following songs. Klaatu, "Calling Occupants (of Interplanetary Life)" Question 1: If this was supposed to be The Beatles , who was supposed to have been singing lead, an infant Carl Newman ? [...]
Billy Joel, "The Ballad Of Billy The Kid" This is one of the highlights off of Billy Joel's second album, Piano Man . It's a sort of "Piano Man" meets the theme to "The Magnificent Seven." He gets into the realm of classic-era Elton orchestral pop here, but roughs it up with a little western twang. What's surprising is the country-ish influences here...probably a byproduct of the album's recording in Los Angeles. It's definitely one of the more epic and sweeping songs in the Joel canon and commonly misconceived as an autobiographical song thanks [...]
After the US election, the general consensus is that once again we have hope in the world. It seems natural then to revisit a classic album from 1977 with the same title, Hope. Hope is the second album released by the Canadian group Klaatu, in September 1977. It is a concept album, recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra, about the sole survivor of an arrogant race of beings, who warns space travelers of hazards in the last days of his life. By the time this album came out, the rumour that Klaatu were actually [...]
7 Means of Movement: Rocketing Tom Baker, Ode to Homo Sapiens. Elton John, Rocket Man. Sun Ra, We Travel the Spaceways. Television, The Rocket. Lee Harvey Oswald Band, Rocket 69. Destroyer, The Space Race. Jerry Engler, Sputnik (Satellite Girl). The Divine Comedy, Laika's Theme. The Five Du-Tones, The Chicken Astronaut. Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips, Moonshot. David Bowie, Space Oddity (
The Carpenters: Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft (The Recognized Anthem Of World Contact Day) [1977] from the album Passage bonus beats: the original Klaatu version [1976]
Today in Music History: In 1964 the top five slots on the 'Billboard' chart are held by the Beatles, a feat never before or since matched. Klaatu is the central character of the 1951 science fiction film The Day The Earth Stood Still , but KIaatu is also the name of a Canadian rock group from the seventies. In the movie,Klaatu thought that peace and silence were eloquent enough to speak for themselves. In the music world, the rock group, Klaatu, was [...]
Ah, this week's Contrast Podcast is going to be a real treat, I can feel it in my bones. After months of cajoling by her admirers, Liz from The Roaring Machine has joined the CP posse with a cracking theme. The challenge she set was to come up with a cover version that outshines the original song it treats, and our contributors have risen to the task in splendid fashion. I have a story to tell you about my choice, so let me husband my words: download the 'cast here , or plug [...]
A couple of examples of pure unadulterated pop this week; spanning both the breezy 60's and cloudy 70's. These two bands embrace the ideals of melody over substance but without ever completely entering the realms of bubblegum. Both veered near success but as always the winds of popularity blew fickle and opportunities dissolved, fortunately they were rescued from complete obscurity by savvy ears. The Free Design - Kites Are Fun The debut album from this trio of siblings was a commercial failure [...]
The Rising Storm
Spinner.com
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Art Decade
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Raven Sings The Blues
I’ll Just Leave This Here #161
Taste And Try Before You Buy
BAND OF HORSES – The Funeral (Sound Remedy Remix)
K-Holes - "Frozen Stiff"
Illegal Sunday LeeDM101 – Let Go Of The World
