Hard Rock Music Time Machine – 11/30/17

The Year…2002

Each Thursday, Hard Rock Music Time Machine takes a journey back in time to feature a variety of songs that date back as far as the ’70s.

In addition to appearing on the embedded YouTube playlist below, all songs featured on Hard Rock Music Time Machine can be listened to individually by clicking on the hyper-linked song titles above each review.

ADAM WALDMAN – (Publisher, Hard Rock Daddy)

STONE SOUR – “Bother” (2002)

With all due respect to Slipknot, my favorite Corey Taylor moments began in 2002 with the launch of Stone Sour.  It’s the rare breed of singer that can growl/scream as well as they sing.  Taylor is that rare breed.  With Stone Sour, he has proven to be one of the best singers of this generation of rock stars.

From my vantage point, 2002 was not a great year for the hard rock genre.  One of the few bright spots was the debut of Stone Sour.  “Bother” is featured on the band’s self-titled debut album.  This moody track remains one of my favorites by the band to this day.

Although the song would fall into the alternative or grunge categories, there is a beauty to the song that takes it to another level, due in large part to Taylor’s emotive vocals.
 

 
CHAD KROEGER (f. JOSEY SCOTT) – “Hero” (2002)

This collaboration between Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger and Saliva’s Josey Scott was chosen to feature for a number of reasons.  First of all, it was one of my favorite songs of 2002.  Secondly, the song was featured on the soundtrack of my favorite movie of 2002 (Spider-Man).  And last, but certainly not least, is the irony of bringing together two artists that will probably never see eye to eye in real life.

The feud, bizarre as it is, between Kroeger and Corey Taylor is one of the more notable spats between rock stars in recent years.  If you want to read more about this ongoing feud, take a few moments and Google both names together.  But I digress…

Beyond the feud, “Hero” was, without question, one of my favorite songs of 2002.  It certainly helps to be a fan of the movie in which it was featured, but even as a standalone song, there is something special about it.

I’ve always been a fan of duets because I find the contrast between different voices to bring out something in songs that cannot be achieved by just one voice.  Kroeger and Scott play off of each other perfectly on “Hero.”  Needless to say, they make for a better pairing than Kroeger and Taylor.
 

KEVIN GRAYSON – HRD Music Scout

3RD STRIKE – “No Light” (2002)

3rd Strike (a Nu Metal band from San Pedro, California) was a band that I stumbled upon by accident.  I felt a strong connection to their record, Lost Angel.  Filled with raw talent, the album told stories of everyday struggles with power and failing beyond imagination.  Around that time, I found myself alone, traveling on the road working for my family. I would put this CD in all the time, and play it in its entirety to help me get through tough times. 3rd Strike had that “it factor.”  The band mixes rock and rap with soothing, flowing harmonies, all the while pouring out so much feeling (and aggression when needed) to get across the point of the song. 3rd Strike should have been megastars.  This record is just that good.  They had split up for a while, but when they started getting traction again.  They were coming up with new material, but sadly, ended up losing vocalist Jim Korthe (the man that started it all with his friend, guitarist Todd Deguchi).  This brought everything to a screeching halt.  For those of you that think rap and rock can’t come together as one, then you should give 3rd Strike a listen.  I think that they will change your mind.
 

 
CHEVELLE – “The Red” (2002)

Chevelle is an alt metal band from Wildwood, Illinois that has sold over four million records to date.  They started out as a three-piece band comprised of all brothers Pete Loeffler (lead vocals and guitar), Sam Loeffler (drums and percussion), and Joe Loeffler (bass and backing vocals).  Joe has since left the band, and was replaced by a brother-in-law (Dean Bernardini).  Together, these guys have made some incredibly catchy tunes, managing to balance that fine line of rock and “radio-friendly” rock.  “The Red” – off of the Wonder What’s Next – reached No. 3 on the mainstream rock charts.