One of my colleague who observed my iPod song collection put it a truly spot-on comment:

“Ben, I noticed you shut off your musical exploration after early 90s”.

Indeed. When the alternative/grunge music started to conquer the rock scene, leaving the long haired metal bands as trend of the past and omitting guitar solo on their songs, I knew I’m done. I never closely looked at rock music scene anymore. As a matter of fact, from then, I bought Indonesian albums more than the western’s. Simply because I think the Indonesians are better (and closer to the heart, I know) 

But recently, I noticed it looks like the trend of “old school” rock is back!. At least there are 3 great rock bands which released their new album–but in old formula: heavy guitar riffs, old song structure and yes, it includes guitar solo. Whitesnake, Motley Crue and Judas Priest, big bands from the 80s came back with a bang.

Take for example, Motley Crue. They released the first album with the original members of the band. Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Vince Neil and Mick Mars joined their forces back to release the first full album since the “Carnival of Sin”. Watch their music video here from the album-titled song “Saints of Los Angeles”, and you will suddenly feel back to those glory 80s days! David Coverdale also still sounds great in his new album “Good to be Bad”, despite missing his rooster of influential guitarist such as John Sykes, Adrian Vandenberg and Steve Vai. Judas Priest is maybe a bit off-topic here, as they release their new album “Nostradamus” which has “new rock music element” at them, instead of hard and heavy formula they ever created in mid 80s. But I’m happy enough they don’t leant toward the ever decreasing ‘alternative’ mainstream (what an oxymoron it is).

To say that this may be the return of the era of how the rock music should be played is probably an overstatement. But at least, critiques love them. And I love them. And I’m glad they’re back with such quality of music.

Now pardon me, as I’m busy downloading their songs from a Russian MP3 store. (I know it’s a bit illegal.. but anyway my principle is not to buy pirated CDs from Indonesian artists :))