Many bands can say "they can't be classified," but there's actually only a few bands that live up to this statement. Tub Ring is one of them, and you'll soon find out why.

If you're not familiar with one of my most prevalent hubs (It's Time We Go Back) you will have missed out on some key points about this band. Number one, they're full of information. They are a punk band at heart, but with the addition of a keyboardist they have mutated into so much more. Their greatest work to date (in our opinion, anyway) is indeed their latest album, The Great Filter.

When G|M first heard it he thought "OMG! They got popified!" But this, of course, was not the case. They have honed their craft, and have learned how to hide their punk sensibilities amid catchy tunes and melodic vocals. This attack at music created a group of tracks that cannot be missed (and they're sonically delectable enough not to be skippable!) hiding science, politics, social issues among an aura of..Tub Ring.

While this article is about Tub Ring, it will also explain The Drake Equation and how we've tried to put a best guess on how much life is out there in our Milkyway.

And believe me, there's plenty. I am an alien, after all!

I had the dream again the one where I just started to ascend
(and my vision grew much clearer)
Then all the people and the buildings and the ground began to blend
(and I saw a set of numbers)
I had the dream again, the one where I was forced to take a train
(From Chicago to Atlanta)
And when we reached top speed I had to give the current ETA
(So I grabbed a calculator)

Ooh I'm a number, you're a number. can't you see?
(And my cells are all dividing)
Ooh I'm a number, you're a number. can't you see?
(And my race is multiplying)

I walked into a store and bumped into a pyramid of cans.
(And they fell into a pattern )
And when the clerk came out he pointed at the triangle he planned.
(And I had to know the tangent.)

Ooh I'm a number, you're a number. can't you see?
(And my cells are all dividing)
Ooh I'm a number, you're a number. can't you see?
(And my race is multiplying)

I still think we have at least a million years to go until we reach the end;
Soon we'll overthrow the sky and use it for ourselves and all we comprehend!
3.1415926, a work of fiction.
ever think the circle is a trick?
Grab a pen, I'll add it to the list. of comprehension...
3.1415926

I still think the odds are good that you can make a bet on what will be the
odds'
When the numbers shape our world, and we control the shape we'll frolic with
the gods!

Someone grab Fermat another drink to stop his shouting,

Ask him what the other scholars think.

If your margins are the missing link, I'll buy you paper!
Someone grab Fermat another drink !

And so the story ends without the world collapsing on itself.
(And my computer started flashing )
And when I checked the net I found that I had accumulated wealth.
(So I almost started laughing)

Ooh I'm a number, you're a number. can't you see?
(And my cells are all dividing)
Ooh I'm a number, you're a number. can't you see?
(And my race is multiplying)

If you didn't watch the whole video (because the punky stuff scares you, probably..!), you would have missed the fact Tub Ring is a hard working band that tours constantly. And while they were born of punk blood, they have evolved to encompass many genres within their songs, much like many bands today. The forebears of this concept can be named as legion. Tom Waits, Mr. Bungle, Mike Patton, Dog Fashion Disco, System of a Down.

But it doesn't matter, because those who act are the only ones to say something about this "weird music revolution," and Tub Ring speaks volumes.

share the love of music, science, politics, and social issues. Kevin and Rob co-wrote the lyrics to The Great Filter, and it shows.

You see, in the (now defunct) trilogy of their past, the albums named Drake Equation, the Fermi Paradox, and Zoo Hypothesis all referenced the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. These albums are all named after scientific theories;

The Drake Equation is an equation that utilizes a number of metrics to best answer the question "How much life is out there, in the Universe?" besides Earth. Obviously, since your species has yet to find intelligent life (or your governments are keeping mum, anyway) this is the equation that answers how many different planets at any given time harbor "intelligent" life.

The Fermi Paradox, then, is a question with an attempt to answer. If there is so much E.T. life, how come humans can't come in contact with them? I mean, if we're not really special and life exists elsewhere, why is it not so visible to us? The Universe, after all, is really old compared to the age of our solar system and galaxy....

....but maybe aliens are really out there, like the Zoo Hypothesis tries to explain; we're known, we're visited, and quite often possibly fooled with. But in general, we're pond scum in the order of things. You're seen as an animal behind the cage bars, and no alien civilization wants to mess with you. You're reality television!

The Great Filter, is yet another possible answer to the question of the Drake Equation. If we've yet to find intelligent life, then maybe its because we got one of our assumptions wrong. You see, we assume a few key ideas in the Drake Equation:

1. There is a groovy star system that doesn't kick around a lot of comets, asteroids, and other material that can easily crash into a planet and kill life.
2. The right molecules are present in all planets to create life; more specifically, the stuff that makes up RNA.
3. If all is good to go, simple single celled life will begin on a planet.
4. After this gets on for awhile, more complex single celled life will begin.
5. When prokaryotic life lives for awhile, sexual reproduction will begin.
6. After all this foreplay, we'll have multi celled life that propagates through sexual reproduction.
7. When this happens long enough, brains are laid down for generations and those gifted with them will begin to use tools.
8. Those with tools can make things to secure their species and populate a planet.
   

Tub Ring's latest album, The Great Filter is a divine masterpiece. I like to listen to it from track five and on, because I've listened to it for about six months in a row, everyday. Now, I can't say you'll do the same--after all, G|M and I take all media and analyze it over time. We try to listen to only music that has an overall theme, otherwise called "album" music, or in another era, "compositions."

But that's just us. However, there's something about this latest album from Tub Ring that keeps us coming back to it. It spans genres, and although each song changes tune and tone often, there's not a rock reference missed. From the fifties, to the sixties, and to "emo," Tub Ring takes all these and bends them to their musical will power.

Through out its 14 tracks (or its forty three minutes and thirty seconds of existence) it spans numerous genres, ideas, and points. It's also good to single out that track eight, "Requiem for a Robot" is a track that builds upon a Robot song placed in each of the three previous albums.

The first track begins with a punky tune, but with melodic vocals by Kevin. "Save yourself, there's always time, if you prepare for another try...make sure to bring your mirror along."

Track two, The Charismatic Smile is a poppy piece that sings softly about media figure heads. "And soon they'll all have their opinions, and every expert has a voice."

The third track, Seven Exodus reminds me of a modern day Queen in some strange way, between the piano work, breathy voice, and groovy beat (with finger snaps!) that discusses what happens when someone becomes famous.

Get Help (Now!), track four reminds the audience they are not in for just a pretty voice and poppy tune; this is Pink Floyd meets heavy metal. It is an industrial cocktail that stops, starts, and terrorizes yet again. Get out, while you can, because the album is about to hit pop speed.

When The Crash Happened is the answer, and if you're not yet addicted you will be by the completion of this track. "You can give the orders, you are the captive, but I was in the vehicle when the crash happened."

Killers in Love melts slowly, beautifully into a new set of sonic vibrations. And while the lyrics start to get heavy, it happens only once--the rest of the song is pure silk."Say Ewww-Wah, kisses that taste like sugar..."

And just when you've now heard the kitchen sink, "No One Wants to Play" hits like a Neil Diamond tune mixed with sixties sensibilities. "Rules are suggestions, because they aren't real..." Mixing social circles and politics makes for melody making.

Track eight is a "Robot song," but in this iteration it is water dropping and choir singing.

Thirty eight seconds later comes "Life in Transition," and through its use of multiple instruments and groovy beats it becomes such a quintessential track.

"...and one dream was out of the picture, one try is all that you get. One life is not much to gamble, and so your work isn't finished yet."

Track ten, "Glass Companion" is a cracked out version of The Adam's Family Theme, complete with new rock and jazz enhancements. It speaks again of politics, and history...

"And my companion has been a guest to all the kings and queens alive
My companion is distinguished, charming, and so dignified...
...so we would share our many ideologies of the niiih yee ight;
But lets keep them there, they didn't age so well by morning liee iee ight"

Frogs begin the next track, and another neat little string diddy begins among the frog bellowing, before the guitar kicks in. "Silence is golden, we've learned that much from science."

Track twelve, "The Truth" follows up, and the sound of Tub Ring again has become an alarm of the imminent and frantic, while keeping with a sixties-like sound.

"And I think in metaphors, & do all I can!

If I gave you a brief description, then would you understand?"

The Wrong Kind of Message then opens up with an eighties-meets-disco sensibility, "If you don't want the wrong kind of message, don't send the same kind to me." Eye for an eye.

Track fourteen, "My Job Here is Done," is some weird offspring of spaghetti western and new age, screwing the eighties synth style yet again. Not to mention a punky last regard, before it states: "Sleep now it's getting late, soon we will participate in learning all the methods and the ends." This track displays all the muscle that has come and will come from Tub Ring, and it is best as described as all musical genre's playground.

So, give The Great Filter a chance. And if you like it, buy more of their stuff directly (to help feed their art!) from http://www.tubring.com!

While this band has made punky tunes in the past, they have now evolved into something very special. The Great Filter, by in large has very few "hardcore" parts. It's melodic, tuneful, interesting, and in no way representational of their albums past.

They pushed themselves to the limit, and I feel it has paid off!

This hub is dedicated to Kelsey's 30STM overview. Thanks for showing me something I've yet to do!

Point and click my love,
Take all the memories and the faces.
Hold me close and tender drenched,
In sweet scents of blood soaked embraces!

On the run and looking for
A life of cruel intentions.
So take a ride, side by side-
Necessity, mother of invention!

Right now, hands in the air right now!
Let's take a trip downtown!
Bury the dead, bury the dead,
Face to the ground!

Said ooh aah kisses that taste like sugar!
Lips cold as ice, sing ooh aah,
Lips cold as ice, sugar and spices,
And rock and roll vices!

Said ooh aah kisses that taste like sugar!
Lips cold as ice, sing ooh aah,
Lips cold as ice, sugar and spices,
And rock and roll vices!

We're dead cold and numb,
Loose on the run,
Crazy for blood,
Killers in love.

Hope is lost and desperate,
But romance just can't get better.
If we go down, then we go down;
But we'll go down, go down together.

Out of time and luck,
With no regrets or hesitations.
A moment passed, the veil was dropped!
Without duress or indication...

Right now, hands in the air right now!
Let's take a trip downtown!
Bury the dead, bury the dead,
Face to the ground!

Said ooh aah kisses that taste like sugar!
Lips cold as ice, sing ooh aah,
Lips cold as ice, sugar and spices,
And rock and roll vices!

Said ooh aah kisses that taste like sugar!
Lips cold as ice, sing ooh aah,
Lips cold as ice, sugar and spices,
And rock and roll vices!

We're dead cold and numb,
Loose on the run,
Crazy for blood,
Killers in love.

My companion has been a guest to all the kings and queens alive.
My companion is distinguished, charming, and so dignified.
So we would share our many ideologies of the night....
But lets keep them there they didn't age so well by morning light

Roast the barrels, harvest barley, and ferment the grapes!
The feast is over now the time has come for us to wait!
So grab a glass pour a drink as we drown ourselves,
We had a point but it was hazy just like everything else, tonight!

Erase the sorrow of the fallen and the sorely missed;
And through euphoria you'll relate to this.

My family is filled with patriots and Spaniards and the like...
My family has joined the Russians and the British through their fights!
In the catacombs of monasteries nobles claim to be,
So build a cellar and invite the neighbors over just to see!

Assess the danger of your actions then you take the risk!
And when your bruises are amusing you'll relate to this!