Alternative Weekend: Alternative Easter

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I try to avoid posting three extra strange songs in a single, 'Alternative Weekend.' If you, the reader, have never heard of any of the artists, it may not draw you in at all.

My last 'Alternative Weekend' post was about 'Cardiacs', an extraordinary quirky band that few have discovered. On this occasion, it's back to three different songs, with varying tempos.

At least one of these is relatively normal.

One of them I briefly mentioned years ago, but I don't feel that one sentence description justifies what I was trying to convey all those years ago.

Let's just say that In 2018, my writing style was vastly different from today's output. We all adapt and hopefully improve when it comes to output and quality.

Pearl Jam - Life Wasted (Pearl Jam – 2006)

Let me start with the one sentence I mentioned almost SEVEN years ago about this particular song. I discovered it playing Guitar Hero II on the Xbox 360 around 2007.

Harmonix didn't fancy paying royalties so almost all the tracks on this 'touch guitar' game were covers of varying quality. 'Life Wasted' I had not heard before. Sure I was familiar with their monster album '10' and the likes of 'Alive' but not this.

It was quite tough to play and I was particularly drawn to the middle section which gives the listener some breathing room before the song takes off again in a crescendo and great solo.

What I didn’t know what the end outtro solo was highly emphasized on the cover version, quite starkly bombarding the listener. I was in ecstasy with my cheap plastic guitar pulling most of it off in 'Medium' difficulty.

Then I sought out the original and what a difference. Eddie Vedder’s unique baritone vocal was ultimately superior, but the end? Where was that guitar, I could barely hear it and it may as well almost be gone, drowned in 'other song noise'.

Today I am more attuned to the genuine version and wince when I hear the cover, but still miss that amazing guitar emphasis. If Pearl Jam could just have upped the sound levels we would have the perfect 'Life Wasted'.

Anathema – Hindsight (We're Here Because We're Here - 2010)

Now we have the more regular 'track' out of the way, I can focus on more offbeat music. @steevc has mentioned to me he owns an Anathema album, 'Distant Satellites'.

I have tried unsuccessfully to enjoy that album but failed badly. This band are so hit and miss, but when they hit they give me that wonderful goose-bump effect.

‘We're Here Because We're Here’ is undoubtedly my favourite album from the band, as most of the songs I can abide and don’t bore me to tears.

'Hindsight' appears to be one of those completive songs that doesn't appear to go anywhere. It bumbles along for a little longer than 3 minutes before taking off and sending the listener to another place.

I would suggest closing your eyes, putting your feet back and taking this in when alone. It is not sociable music and is better-enjoyed solo.

Marillion - Ocean Cloud (Marbles 2004)

If you thought that was heavy, this main course behemoth I left until the end. Until recently I had barely listened to any post-Fish, Marillion tracks.

Then one day at work, a colleague noticed my 'Steven Wilson' hoodie and commented that his influence on Opeth had ruined the band.

Another progressive freak like me at work and on top of that he has the same name as a famous convicted serial killer, fantastic! That led to some conversations and he persuaded me to try some 'Hogarth' Marillion declaring I was 'missing out'.

I figured this was the case, but what to try?

I picked 'Ocean Cloud' as it appears to be a fan favourite, they play it live and it's just shy of 18 minutes in length. It would be hit or miss with me.

The amazing Steve Rothery has his moments in this song, an always welcome section, and although it hit me relatively quickly, this can't be ingested in a single sitting.

I can't say that for any of the other 'Hogarth' material yet, except perhaps 'Neverland from the same album. His voice is slightly nauseating, but I can tolerate it.

This is no Chris Martin, and you won't ever hear any Coldplay from me.

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