The Metal God: Rob Halford

Well the new album has dropped and its pretty freaking sweet as Peter Griffin would say. But Rob's been dropping great music for years outside of his Judas Priest career. Back in the late 1990's his one off band Two was nothing short of fantastic industrial infused metal that was dismissed for some reason. Probably being attached to Trent Reznor was most of the reason and the dance rhythms which replaced natural bombastic drumming on the record. I think to this day that Rob should bring some of the Voyeurs sound back into his new material.

The post Priest Fight albums left nothing to be desired we didn't miss the Judas Priest era because War Of Words was basically the follow-up to Painkiller. Then we have the Halford project to love and enjoy so here is a list of my favorite Rob Halford tracks outside of Judas Priest and in no specific order but "Hell" is probably my go to song on the list.


Blowout In The Radio Room
Hell
Contortion
Fire & Ice
Get Into The Spirit
Into The Pit
Speed Of Sound
Deep In The Ground
Kill It
Handing Out Bullets
I Am A Pig
A Little Crazy
Nailed To The Gun
Resurrection
Betrayal
Thunder & Lightning
Drive
My Ceilings Low
Till The Day I Die
Hell Razor

Read More

Halford IV: Made Of Metal

Straight off this is by far a much better release than the Crucible back in '02 and then the Judas Priest concept album Nostradamus. Here we have an album that kicks you in the teeth on track one and repeats as necessary only slowing down for a short couple moments allowing the listener a chance to take a deep breath. Outside of the much loved metal god music he puts a wickedly cool traditional spin on "Till The Day I Die" which is one of the best songs Rob's written in a long time. The English/Welsh folk music style of the song really works well here and shows a different side of his songwriting skill.

The metallic masterclass he puts on here is nearly as good as the Halford debut album and albeit a little more melodic and maybe less aggressive than the original Fight album but easily comparable. I have to admit I'm a little shocked that Rob's this awesome at his age writing songs as solid and putting such a great record together for us fans. If you love the demented squeal of the metal god then "Hell Razor" will blend his lesser bite musically with his classic vocal style to absolute perfection. The album never disappoints my ears I find much to like on almost every song outside of "Like There's No Tomorrow" which grates a little.

Two of the last four tracks are a little on the filler side of the field but hey you can't throw a touchdown on every pass right. Again not that the weaker songs are bad they are just weaker and they shine brightly like a zit on the end of your nose. Overall this is one of those albums that you should feel obligated to buy and guilty if you don't.

Read More

Methods Of Mayhem - A Public Disservice Announcement

The Tommy Lee side project return with an album that is much less a follow-up to the debut album and more so a continuation of Tommy's solo sophomore album Tommyland: The Ride. I admit that the music on this album turns out to much more enjoyable then the bands rap rock meets cock rock 1999 release. Sure some of the cocksure styling of Methods original soundscape makes an appearance but the best music here is the Tommy Lee solo styled songs like "Louder" which should have been on a Motley Crue record sung by Vince much better than they are here.

The group pulls the rap rock out in full force on the ultra cool "Fight Song" that finally shows their original song structure but with way more melodic substance than before. A quick shift back to soft pop rock similar to Uncle Kracker with "Blame" another very good song that again should have been on a Motley album but because of ego and stupidity not to mention being drunk the whole time Tommy keeps the song for himself. I don't know why he'd rather put this out as a Method's tune when he could achieve much more success with the songs done as Motley Crue songs. To be honest same goes for Niki Sixx and his side projects none which are as strong as Tommy's have been overall.

The album is very good with much of it being poppy and funky. Some of the songs are filler tracks but out of the eleven on offer maybe three or four don't stand up to the majority. I did find the album wearing thin in the middle section with the two weakest songs "Take Me Off The Ledge" and "Only One" back to back. But the dancefloor groove of "All I Wanna Do" returns to a more pleasant sound leaving the wanna be hip-hop industrial crap behind. "Back To Before" is easily a single on this album and should find its way to mainstream radio and night club dancefloors.

The album overall is a pretty slick affair with much to like and little to dislike. I recommend giving A Public Disservice Announcement a listen as you won't be disappointed at all.

Read More

10 Songs That Should Be On Everybody's I-Pod

To quote Stained it's been awahile

10. The Only Sound That Matters by Robert Plant
09. Stuck Like Glue by Sugarland
08. Undercover Lover by Kids In Glass Houses Feat. Frankie Sandford
07. Gonna Get Over You by Sara Bareilles
06. I Can't Lie by Maroon 5
05. Change Of Seasons by Sweet Thing
04. Talk About by Rehab
03. All My Friends Are Insects by Weezer
02. Caught In The Crowd by Kate Miller-Heidke
01. Forget You by Cee-Lo Green (AWESOME!!!!!!)

Read More

Selena Gomez & The Scene 2010 - A Year Without Rain [Deluxe Edition]

The first problem with this album we never needed a deluxe edition to expand the amount of filler tracks and remixes which are becoming pretty much a genre of its own now. Selena's voice is good when she's singing without effects so the addition of auto tune and other effects takes away from her character that was likable on the last record. With the amount of music on this album stylistic changes and sound shifts would have been nice but really every songs sounds similar because of the amount of production and layering that has been put on the songs.

The complete eradication of rock from her sound has not only stripped her of personality but has made her sound totally vanilla now. You'd be hard pressed to tell who was singing the song "Sick Of You" as it could be one of ten other teen pop princess singers. The album is so bland its like drinking tea but having forgot to put in the tea bag. I'm sure once the first single has its radio run on the momentum of "Naturally" this album will fall by the wayside. There is maybe enough here for a second single but I don't know how much penetration that second single could make with the amount of good pop available right now.

Read More

Weezer - Hurley

I've been a fan since the first time I heard "Buddy Holly" back in the 90's and the band have released some albums and song of varying quality but overall I'd say they have been consistent with their singles. I admit I loved Raditude a lot and believe its one of their best and most enjoyable albums so far. Hurley in my opinion has to live up to the polished excellence that is Raditude. The album doesn't disappoint at all from beginning to end its a good listen. Sure as with every Weezer album their are filler tracks or some songs that just don't grab me but they aren't overly bad tunes.

I hope that band continues to stay in this up beat mood as the music has something infectious about it. I can't listen to "Memories" and not get great enjoyment out of it. The power pop groove of "Ruling Me" is one of those songs that puts a smile on my face from note one. I like how Weezer borrows from the Beach Boys but never sounds quite like them. The band also seasons their sound with little sprinkles of the Ramones but never enough to be compared to them. Influences are glorious when they are used in the way that Rivers Cuomo is himself with his own style and sound but lets you know just where he comes from.

This is again another great power pop album from a band that has begun to push itself into my favorite bands of all-time category. Those are usually bands I feel obligated to go to the store and purchase hard copies of their releases to support them and further their ability to continue to record music for me to enjoy.

Read More

Santana's Cover Song Album Is A Joke Right?

Ok another overrated guitarist who really hasn't put out many great songs outside of Smooth and Black Magic Woman, has put his so called genius into a cover song album using the same formula he's been using for many years now. So famous and usually more talented musicians sing the vocals for the songs he wants to record and poof its astounding how great it all is right? That was a rhetorical question dumbass!

The album opens with one of rocks greatest songs sung by Chris Cornell but is completely done wrong with timba's and bongo's and such ruining the rock & roll classic "Whole Lotta Love". It's not getting any better on track two with Scott Weiland who will whore himself out to anything for money to continue his drug addiction. His vocal on the boring Rolling Stone's song "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" does nothing to improve the original and Carlos is pretty bland as well. Rob Thomas's vocal on "Sunshine Of Your Love" is good but again we've been beaten to death with this song since it was originally released in 1967.

The most atrocious version of an ACDC song ever recorded is next, it features Nas and Janelle Monae two people that probably have no clue who or what ACDC is or has done in the music world. A bloody rapper and soul singer from the ghetto are doing "Back In Black" get a freaking clue you stupid idiot! Then Chester Bennington croons the Doors song "Riders On The Storm" leaving the song devoid of emotion and the stifling production takes away any all organics that the original had and still has. The interpretation pales in comparison to other covers I've heard and thoroughly enjoyed. The Snoop Dog and Creed versions are stronger in every aspect and if you have to listen to a version not the original then those are highly recommended over this crap.

The cover of "Smoke On The Water" is again watered down and no where near heavy enough but Jacoby Shaddix is good and his band Papa Roach should do their own version. Question; 'Why in the hell does Santana need to add freaking over the top percussion to a great rock tune like "Photograph"?' I mean Chris Daughtry sounds great singing the song and with out that dumb latin flavor mixed into the song it would have easily been the best cover so far. The near reggae at points added into the song just makes my stomach turn. Now if I was able to confront Carlos in person I'd kick him square in his nuts for ruining and debasing the greatest song ever written by anyone or anything on this planet earth. Fucking cocksucker destroys "Bang A Gong" by T-Rex and he should have his fingers smashed by a hammer! (Splash steps off his soapbox)

So Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn both have recorded "Little Wing" and really there is no reason for anyone to put it to vinyl ever again because they can't compare, that is proven here even the amazing Joe Cocker can't save this weak ass complacent version. "I Ain't Superstitious" which was metalized by Megadeth back in the eighties and of course Jeff Beck's wicked kick ass rendition or even the Upholsterers version for something obscure show how its supposed to be done. This version with the excellent Johnny Lang suffers from over production to the max and his attempting to not up stage Carlos Santana on his own album hurt the song.

This is a cover song album that not only sucks major ass it is played by a guitarist who doesn't understand how to rock. He's a latin jazz guitarist who really should have done covers of songs that would have more fit his own style like "Low Rider" or Steely Dan's classic "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" or even Clapton's song "After Midnight" which all would have sounded more natural and been a little more accepting to the style of guitar that Carlos plays.

Read More

Kaleidoscope Heart by Sara Bareilles

I've had a few listens to this new Bareilles album and I have found myself consistantly listening to different tracks as I randomly pick songs to enjoy while playing video games or doing dishes or whatever. I like the songs "Uncharted", "Gonna Get Over You", "Machine Gun", "King Of Anything" and "Say Your Sorry" a lot. I play them all often since I picked up this album and even added them all to my I-Pod so I can enjoy them in the car.

I admit I don't enjoy her mellow songs near as much as her more uptempo pop. Her voice resonates wonderfully on the poppier tunes. Even an average song like "Let The Rain" is enjoyable with her vocals on it. The very cool "Not Alone" reminds me of the classic tune "Fever" by Brenda Lee and again is another solid number which makes Kaleidoscope a good adult pop record. The beautiful "Bluebird" closes the album that is a perfect choice as the last cut on this very solid album by an artist that hopefully has given us a taste of what glorious pop music that is in store for us come future albums.

Read More

Robert Plant's Return To The Rock Format Band Of Joy

I was not impressed with the last Plant solo album at all and was coming into this album with a very negative feeling. This is the music that Robert has decided was too important to put out instead of reuniting Led Zeppelin and making a billion dollars or three over the last couple years. I have to admit I'm ok with the Led Zeppelin reunion being shunned. He can't sing those songs anylonger in a live setting. So Band Of Joy is what we get and honestly I don't know if its the time that has passed since I really listened to Plant's music and have grown to miss his wail but I find this album charming.

The man is really in a newly influenced mind set from the duets with Allison Krause. But the blues aspect of the music he's brought back really fits. It's like listening to Led Zeppelin II and parts of Z0So (IV) at the heart of the album. One of the best recordings Robert has ever given his fans is "Silver Ride" a haunting majestic number that sent shivers down my spine. Just beautiful song and performance that he will never capture again I'm positive of that considering his age. Just like the underrated and brilliant Ian Hunter has done on his last couple of albums Robert has come full circle and released an album worthy of his legendary reputation.

The bouncy bright jingle of "You Can't Buy My Love" sounds like Plant is twenty years old again and recording music for the love of it not because its his livelihood. I can even hear the influence of that one shot Honeydrippers album here on the song "I'm Falling In Love Again" which is just awesome in my opinion. The country and very Rolling Stones-ish "The Only Sound That Matters" should be on your immediate listening list. His reading of "Cindy I'll Marry You One Day" by Bobbs-Merrill from 1904 doesn't sound outdated or out of place. Another one of those moments on the album that a true fan of music can only appreciate.

The traditional folk tune "Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down" is jaw dropping. The 'Golden God' again proves he's worthy of being called the greatest rock singer to ever live with his performance on this song and the other eleven. The sadness, anger and conviction of the song is not lost by the aging legend as he sounds as if he's at the crossroads ready for battle. This album is so bloody awesome that you should just buy yourself a copy now. This is one of the most effective and affective albums I've heard in years a true classic that can easily sit alongside Robert's greatest moments in any of his projects over the years.

***** Sheer Brilliance

Read More

Going Back To Rehab, Ahh Welcome Home

Now here is a band that should be as big as Uncle Kracker or 3Oh3. I really enjoy their backwoods hip-hop influenced soft rock. The band has previously dropped some excellent songs and this time around they have released a pretty solid record that of course includes some filler but overall the good is really good.

The albums first single and title track "Welcome Home" is top notch and in a perfect world a number one hit for them. The album's first cut is "#1" a pretty good tune but the album hits a couple of bumps until track five and "Welcome Home" but then it really starts cooking with "Ole Friends", "Some People", "Talk About" & the closing track "Rideout Chick" which a personal favorite and will make my top 100 of 2010 for sure. Don't be afraid to give Rehab a chance it will only be good for you trust me.

Read More

Phil Collins Is "Going Back" In An Attempt To Find A Hit

Since Phil Collins is no longer a viable commercial artist he's free to basically do whatever he wants as far as new music releases are considered. His 2010 brainstorm of covering oldies from all over the musical map (Mowtown) is the chosen direction. Now this is pretty typical for established artists in the current musical climate as they have a better chance to get attention doing this then they would with original music.

Collins doesn't dig very deep for most of the albums material he seems happy to cover most of the American Idol audition catalog for the most part. His renditions of Stevie Wonder's "Uptight" and the over exposed Martha & The Vandella's "Heatwave" are not bad just boring because of how much we've heard them over the last few years. The album is full of Hitsville USA stuff and another done to death tune "Ain't Too Proud To Bed" which lacks the powerful rasp of the original and again another American Idol song which has been done to varying degrees of quality by the likes of George Huff, Michael Sarver & Scott Savol to name a few.

If you love this material sung by a guy who's long past his best day as a vocalist then bite but really you can find better version by unknowns on Youtube to enjoy not to mention the excellent originals still readily available online and in stores everywhere. I think the album really hits a low point when the cover of "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" came across my speakers. He just can't cut it when he sings the lyrics although the band sounds fantastic. His version of the excellent classic rock masterpiece "You Really Got A Hold On Me" pales in comparison to the Beatles near perfect reading and the otherwise best overall version by Mickey Gilley.

He then pulls out the genious choices of "Jimmy Mack", "Nowhere To Run" and "Dancing In The Streets" as if we aren't pretty much bored of all those songs from their use in film and television not to mention oldies radio. To bring review to an end I will say this 'Heard This All Before, Done Much Better'.

Read More

Maroon 5 - Hands All Over

Maroon 5 have released another good record with plenty of songs in the pop rock and soft rock genre that have major hit potential. The Mutt Lang production and song structure is present on "Hands All Over" where his style comes through in all aspects of the song.

The band sound best doing their brand of rock music on songs like "How" which could have been from the Outfield's 1985 album Play Deep. The disco styled "Get Back In My Life" is a decent latin influenced tune that should find its way onto radio at some point.

The album is long with seventeen tracks in all and could have been shorter which would only make the record a better listen. Leaving songs like "Just A Feeling" and "Out Of Goodbyes" unreleased wouldn't have been a bad choice. Putting more attention on the albums better songs like "Never Gonna Leave This Bed", "Last Chance", "Stutter" and "Runaway" which all are worthy choices for radio singles once "Misery" runs its course.

Read More

Link Park's The Leader For Worst Album Of The Year So Far...And Far Ahead

So its finally here the new Linkin Park album and I'm ready to hear whether or not they have switched to CCM format to sell less records to a smaller audience. Considering that first horrible single which is repetitive and boring with their religious preaching I don't see this album coming off as anything more than propaganda bullshit rock music.

The first actual song doesn't arrive until track three which is a boring waste of listening time. More religious born again bullshit that bleeds into another annoying interlude. Then we have a jungle rhythm with some really juvenile rapping and Gregorian type singing. Wow so far this is stunning in how truly horrible it is and unlike the bands normal sound. But I'm sure this is what the band will tell us is their more mature sound and how they have grown as artists. That's always the mantra for bands who've lost their way that attempt to sell their new products.

If you thought the long overdue Guns N' Roses album was brilliant then you are gonna love this album as its almost as dull and insipid. Oh wait, a song that might not suck completely yes really I'm telling you this one might not be so bad...Houston we have an ok track. "Waiting For The End" is passable for the most part. Still has those underlying 'something has changed my life' lyrical ideals but somehow is much less fake sounding. The band falls on its face again with the next track "Blackout" and its too bad because their is a good song in their somewhere.

Oh wait I think I get it now the band listened to The Wall and Darkside Of The Moon along with Kanye West's The College Dropout maybe even a little of Drake's mixtapes that are all over the internet and this was their inspiration for the album. That would explain the bad wanna be tendencies of every song. Even when the band attempt to do something reminescent of their earlier work as in "Iridescent" they just miss the mark. I'm actually surprised I'm still awake because the music is just uninspired and devoid of energy or charisma. The band decide to end the album with an acoustic ballad that is trying way to hard to convince us listeners that they really mean what they are singing about.

I knew this album was a stinker before I even put it on and let it play. The two songs I heard before the album was available to hear were bloody awful and nothing else contained on the album was any better really, some worse though. Linkin Park have failed miserably on this concept album and change of song style and idea. The band should be sent back to the studio to record a proper Linkin Park album or just call it a day. Nobody needs or should listen to this very disappointing album from a band who now officially suck!

Read More

Brandon Flowers Goes Solo On Flamingo

I was a Killers fan long before they actually broke and became a household name back in 2004 with Hot Fuss exploding months after its release. The band haven't been able to put out an album that compares to their debut since and now Brandon Flowers goes solo. The strange difference is that this album is more what I'd expected the follow-up to Hot Fuss to sound like. The Killers lead singer sounds focused and earnest on Flamingo which was lacking on terrible Sam's Town. The top notch songwriting on the song "Jilted Lovers And Broken Hearts" does encompass the bands sounds over their career bringing together all their styles for a near perfect slice of Killers branded pop.

This album has a couple of major problems but its not the music its the album artwork which is bloody awful and the albums title which is even worse. But if anyone gets past this aspect to the music songs like "Was It Something I Said", "Hard Enough", "Magdalena" and "The Clock Was Tickin'" will be plenty of a payback for the investment. If the band would have released this album it would rival the debut album but since its Brandon's solo album...who cares its still does. After I nearly gave up on the band after hearing the sophomore album they sort of won me over again with the strange Day & Age. This even though isn't by name a Killers album to my ears it will be as the music isn't different at all.

Read More

Grave Digger - The Clans Will Rise Again

The heavy metal juggernaut aptly named Grave Digger return with an album of heavy metal goodness. Now this band does have its short comings but they also have a certain charm which can compensate for those short comings. The blazing "Hammer Of The Scots" is the type of song that beckons you to punch air, bang thy head and shout loudly along. Well the band use bagpipes and unlike the most famous metal act to use bagpipes (Korn) this doesn't suck. The intro to "Highland Farewell" is engaging as it speeds into the double kick drums and then into the sing-a-long chorus. This is one of albums best songs for sure and at this point in the album I'm a little excited to hear what the band has in-store for us next.

The album continues along its concept path to great effect if your a fan of the style or the band. After a few songs which further the storyline/concept of the album the band drop "Execution" which is good old fashioned speed metal thunder. Another good song that is worth checking out but make sure your willing to crank it up and scare your neighbors. As the album moves to its conclusion the Scottish sounds ramp up as one will hear on "Coming Home". The closing track is "When Rain Turns To Blood" which is a cool song that non fans will have to get past Chris "Reaper" Boltendahl's gritty vocals to the heart of the excellence of the song. Overall this album is a solid effort for a concept album.

Read More

Tarot - Gravity Of Light

Tarot have been around a long time now and in the power metal genre have been dropping albums since 1986. I found them a few albums ago and liked them enough to pay attention. Their 2010 release is a good overall album but still the very Euro-Metal vocals which is always present in this genre detract from the songs. If the singer would just belt it out and leave the Maiden-isms off the end of his phrasing it would all be much better.

Still a decent record with a few standout metal tracks "Sleep In The Dark", "Pilot Of All Dreams" and "Caught In The Deadlights" and then some mediocre metal as in "Hell Knows".

Read More

Kid Rock: The Man Who Saved Rock N' Roll

This is more of a statement than a blog post but really without the explosion from Detroit named Kid Rock we might have gone to a very bleak place in the rock genre. He's everything a rock star is supposed to be and he cross's all genre's because he does what he believes in and doesn't follow the trends. That's how all the great ones do it and he's great!

Read More