Friday 29 March 2013
Tuesday 26 March 2013
Suicidal Tendencies - 13
Posted on 19:47 by Unknown
Oh hells yeah baby! The return of Cyco Miko and his band Suicidal Tendencies. I became a fan of them back when they made their more metal turn in 1990. I always enjoyed How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today but it was 1990 and Lights Camera Revolution when I truly fell in love with the band. This album has had me excited with anticipation since learning that it was coming.
The band albeit is completely different from the 90's but the music and feel of those albums is here and the quality of song writing is as well. When you hear the excellent "Who's Afraid" there is no way you won't reach for the volume dial to crank it up just a little to get into the massive groove this song lays down. This is true of much of the album with songs like "Smash It" and "Shake It Out" Mike is really on point with his re-launch of this band.
The band just set it on fire with "Cyco Style" that made bang my head and want to dance like a crazy nut all over the livingroom. That feeling stayed when the following song "Slam City" was cranking out of my speakers. I'm having a shit ton of fun listening to this new Suicidal album and there is little to not like about it. If I wasn't to say that it is easily as good as their classic material I be doing them a disservice as this album is on par with the bands best albums.
If you were ever a fan of Suicidal Tendencies then please come back and check out 13 it is a plethora of great Suicidal Tendencies songs.
The band albeit is completely different from the 90's but the music and feel of those albums is here and the quality of song writing is as well. When you hear the excellent "Who's Afraid" there is no way you won't reach for the volume dial to crank it up just a little to get into the massive groove this song lays down. This is true of much of the album with songs like "Smash It" and "Shake It Out" Mike is really on point with his re-launch of this band.
The band just set it on fire with "Cyco Style" that made bang my head and want to dance like a crazy nut all over the livingroom. That feeling stayed when the following song "Slam City" was cranking out of my speakers. I'm having a shit ton of fun listening to this new Suicidal album and there is little to not like about it. If I wasn't to say that it is easily as good as their classic material I be doing them a disservice as this album is on par with the bands best albums.
If you were ever a fan of Suicidal Tendencies then please come back and check out 13 it is a plethora of great Suicidal Tendencies songs.
Walk Off The Earth - R.E.V.O
Posted on 19:01 by Unknown
Walk Off The Earth's debut album I guess...is here and now we get to hear what this group of crazy talented folks can put together in album form. The opening cut is also the title track which is a super catchy number that I immediately wanted to hear again. The song is splendid in every aspect of song creation. If this isn't a hit single then the world has lost their freaking minds and taste and have no idea what a great song is any longer.
The group is two fer with the excellent "Red Hands" another purely infectious pop gem. So far I'm listening to what could almost match Jack White's brilliant Blunderbuss. You know you are being treated to something amazing when you instantly grin as the first song is playing and by the third track that grin has turned into a smile so big it could nearly eclipse your face. I guess this band's viral video explosion covering "Somebody That I Used To Know" wasn't a fluke as they just have it. Even the oddly annoying "Sometimes" gets stuck in your head. The first song on the album I'm not big on but then "Shake" brings it all back together and keeps them from going astray with all that creativeness.
I've fallen in love with Walk Off The Earth and it happened after track one but by the time "Summer Vibe" graced my ears at track nine I knew I was defenseless to their pop crack. Bands like Of Monster & Men and Mumford & Sons who are getting rave reviews for similar styled music that can't even come close to being this great. "No Ulterior Motives" is the closing number and has all kinds of awesomeness sprinkled all over it. There is some seriously great music on R.E.V.O. and if you like indie folk and pop this album is some of the best I've heard this year.
The group is two fer with the excellent "Red Hands" another purely infectious pop gem. So far I'm listening to what could almost match Jack White's brilliant Blunderbuss. You know you are being treated to something amazing when you instantly grin as the first song is playing and by the third track that grin has turned into a smile so big it could nearly eclipse your face. I guess this band's viral video explosion covering "Somebody That I Used To Know" wasn't a fluke as they just have it. Even the oddly annoying "Sometimes" gets stuck in your head. The first song on the album I'm not big on but then "Shake" brings it all back together and keeps them from going astray with all that creativeness.
I've fallen in love with Walk Off The Earth and it happened after track one but by the time "Summer Vibe" graced my ears at track nine I knew I was defenseless to their pop crack. Bands like Of Monster & Men and Mumford & Sons who are getting rave reviews for similar styled music that can't even come close to being this great. "No Ulterior Motives" is the closing number and has all kinds of awesomeness sprinkled all over it. There is some seriously great music on R.E.V.O. and if you like indie folk and pop this album is some of the best I've heard this year.
Sevendust - Black Out The Sun
Posted on 18:35 by Unknown
I've never liked this band until now maybe it is that my tastes have evolved to enjoy their brand of heavy metal. The intro track "Memory" is pretty typical as an intro the nu-metal mayhem is unleashed with the stop start stumble rythm that quickly drops down into emo mode for a verse and then returns to the stumble with a little more aggresive vocals and we are caught in the Nirvana grunge loop of loud soft loud soft loud nausium. So far this not a worthwhile journey but it has only just begun so of course I continue to listen to Black Out The Sun to see it to its ultimate conclusion.
The next track is a great slice of dirgy nu-metal that kicks off with a little death vocal the blows up into a very melodic chorus. I'm not a major fan of the bands lyrics and honestly prefer it when the death or scream-o style is blasting from my speakers because it has a nice sonic texture and melodic quality I really like. Sevendust’s balance of aggression and melody are showcased on "Mountain", which has a southern feel to it, along with "Cold As War" and the very groovy "Nobody Wants It".
The disc’s lead single, ‘Decay,’ is a prime example of Sevendust’s combination of harmonious melodies and pummeling guitars. The song is one of the albums best tracks as it combines their sounds perfectly and isn't forgettable as much of this album turned out to be. The one track that I've gone back to multiple times is "Dark AM" I just really dig the energy and melodic synapses. I wish this band would explore more AIC territory and in so include the pop sensibilities they can blend into their sound as shown on "Dark AM" and to a bit lesser degree "Decay".
Witherspoon’s soulful vocal could put this band in the same league as Shinedown or Tantric if they would just fully realize they have the skill to unleash a very commercial CD and grow their fan base. I absolutely love "Got A Feeling" the crisp production on the acoustic guitars is flawless. I'm again not impressed with the lyrical content and their religious bend but anyone that knows me will know that. The long player comes to it's climax with "Murder Bar" that has a pretty kick ass groove but lacks some in the thunder department and could benefit with more bottom end.
Overall this album is a decent one and the first time I've really given the band an indepth listen. It doesn't make me want to go seek out their previous material in anyway but I do enjoy this one and will add "Dark AM" and "Decay" to my I-pood for more listens.
The next track is a great slice of dirgy nu-metal that kicks off with a little death vocal the blows up into a very melodic chorus. I'm not a major fan of the bands lyrics and honestly prefer it when the death or scream-o style is blasting from my speakers because it has a nice sonic texture and melodic quality I really like. Sevendust’s balance of aggression and melody are showcased on "Mountain", which has a southern feel to it, along with "Cold As War" and the very groovy "Nobody Wants It".
The disc’s lead single, ‘Decay,’ is a prime example of Sevendust’s combination of harmonious melodies and pummeling guitars. The song is one of the albums best tracks as it combines their sounds perfectly and isn't forgettable as much of this album turned out to be. The one track that I've gone back to multiple times is "Dark AM" I just really dig the energy and melodic synapses. I wish this band would explore more AIC territory and in so include the pop sensibilities they can blend into their sound as shown on "Dark AM" and to a bit lesser degree "Decay".
Witherspoon’s soulful vocal could put this band in the same league as Shinedown or Tantric if they would just fully realize they have the skill to unleash a very commercial CD and grow their fan base. I absolutely love "Got A Feeling" the crisp production on the acoustic guitars is flawless. I'm again not impressed with the lyrical content and their religious bend but anyone that knows me will know that. The long player comes to it's climax with "Murder Bar" that has a pretty kick ass groove but lacks some in the thunder department and could benefit with more bottom end.
Overall this album is a decent one and the first time I've really given the band an indepth listen. It doesn't make me want to go seek out their previous material in anyway but I do enjoy this one and will add "Dark AM" and "Decay" to my I-pood for more listens.
Monday 18 March 2013
Ashley Monroe - Like A Rose
Posted on 14:58 by Unknown
My first introduction to Ashely Monroe was on the song "Bruises" from Train's latest record and it is easily one of the best tracks on the record. I then heard the first single from Like A Rose which features the excellent Blake Shelton "You Ain't Dolly (And You Ain't Porter)" which blew me away instantly. I couldn't wait to hear more of this wonderful country voice and if that song was any indication of what was to come I knew it was going to be great.
The album is not only great it is a cut above everything else that is currently on the country charts. Monroe has gave me hope that country music isn't quite dead yet. She has a twang that would give Dwight Yoakam a run for his money. The opening song is "Like A Rose" that is basically her story of growing up and getting to where she is today. The song is astoundingly well written and has everything a fan of real country music would ever want. Not only does she tell a story like the best of them from the past she delivers a sweet sadness that just grabs your heart strings and politely dances you around the glorious melody.
The album has some great tongue in cheek material like "Two Weeks Late" another slice of perfection in the songwriting department. As you progress through Like A Rose you get rewarded track after track for spending time listening to Ashley Monroe. Her haunting vocal on "The Morning After" may remind you of Lee Ann Womack and Tammy Wynette but she has her own special sound that even though you are reminded of the past she is herself.
I just love it when she kicks it up on the very Carter family sounding "Monroe Suede" a splendid two step dance floor filler. I can't say if she is going to take over the world with this album because the current young country fan isn't quite educated enough in the past and might not get what wonderful noise this is. Just one listen to "She's Driving Me Out Of Your Mind" and if you aren't a fan you don't like good music. This song is almost reaching the levels of George Jones, Loretta Lynn or Conway Twitty which pretty much says it all.
With the closing number being that absolutely perfect westcoast swing "You Ain't Dolly (And You Ain't Porter)" I mentioned earlier there is no reason why you shouldn't just listen to it all over again. This is one of those albums that is far better than anyone could have expected and the production is nothing less than perfection on display. Ashely Monroe has put herself on the same level as Miranda Lambert as far as the best females in the current era. This is money well spent at the local record shop!
The album is not only great it is a cut above everything else that is currently on the country charts. Monroe has gave me hope that country music isn't quite dead yet. She has a twang that would give Dwight Yoakam a run for his money. The opening song is "Like A Rose" that is basically her story of growing up and getting to where she is today. The song is astoundingly well written and has everything a fan of real country music would ever want. Not only does she tell a story like the best of them from the past she delivers a sweet sadness that just grabs your heart strings and politely dances you around the glorious melody.
The album has some great tongue in cheek material like "Two Weeks Late" another slice of perfection in the songwriting department. As you progress through Like A Rose you get rewarded track after track for spending time listening to Ashley Monroe. Her haunting vocal on "The Morning After" may remind you of Lee Ann Womack and Tammy Wynette but she has her own special sound that even though you are reminded of the past she is herself.
I just love it when she kicks it up on the very Carter family sounding "Monroe Suede" a splendid two step dance floor filler. I can't say if she is going to take over the world with this album because the current young country fan isn't quite educated enough in the past and might not get what wonderful noise this is. Just one listen to "She's Driving Me Out Of Your Mind" and if you aren't a fan you don't like good music. This song is almost reaching the levels of George Jones, Loretta Lynn or Conway Twitty which pretty much says it all.
With the closing number being that absolutely perfect westcoast swing "You Ain't Dolly (And You Ain't Porter)" I mentioned earlier there is no reason why you shouldn't just listen to it all over again. This is one of those albums that is far better than anyone could have expected and the production is nothing less than perfection on display. Ashely Monroe has put herself on the same level as Miranda Lambert as far as the best females in the current era. This is money well spent at the local record shop!
Saturday 16 March 2013
Holy Grail - Ride The Void
Posted on 18:05 by Unknown
After first listen I didn't hate the album so I gave it a second listen and it survived to get a third listen and I actually like it after the third time through. As with so much of the metal today we are getting pretty much formula and that is why this album took three listens before I could commit to liking it. That "Heavy Metal" formula is using all the classic bands as inspiration from Black Sabbath to Iron Maiden to Blue Cheer to Testament. Even with all that influence and copy cat work you still have to write good songs and that is the issue with Ride The Void at times.
Tyler Meahl is a pretty wicked drummer as you will hear and his timing is excellent along with his fills this guy knows what he's doing behind the drum kit. After the first few tracks the band knock one out of the park with "Too Decayed To Wait" that is a mix between early Maiden and Helloween and they have a good chorus as well in the song which makes a difference. The guitar break at 2:06 is a little wank but it doesn't ruin the song. As the album progresses the songs stay within the power metal/classic metal guidelines with "Sleep Of Virtue" and "The Great Artifice" being songs that stand out for me.
As Void closes down the song "Rains Of Sorrow" borrows heavily from the soul of Dio and Savatage (Zackery Era) to pretty much close the album with a modern enough sounding track that Octane could pick it up and spin it. It's all been done before but for anyone missing that old school spirit this might get your blood moving.
Tyler Meahl is a pretty wicked drummer as you will hear and his timing is excellent along with his fills this guy knows what he's doing behind the drum kit. After the first few tracks the band knock one out of the park with "Too Decayed To Wait" that is a mix between early Maiden and Helloween and they have a good chorus as well in the song which makes a difference. The guitar break at 2:06 is a little wank but it doesn't ruin the song. As the album progresses the songs stay within the power metal/classic metal guidelines with "Sleep Of Virtue" and "The Great Artifice" being songs that stand out for me.
As Void closes down the song "Rains Of Sorrow" borrows heavily from the soul of Dio and Savatage (Zackery Era) to pretty much close the album with a modern enough sounding track that Octane could pick it up and spin it. It's all been done before but for anyone missing that old school spirit this might get your blood moving.
Friday 8 March 2013
Krokus - Dirty Dynamite
Posted on 17:49 by Unknown
Well this was a nice surprise to see, then I instantly hoped it didn't sound like that waste of time Hoodoo. The opening track is a pure rock n' roll song that fits in the Krokus box easily. This album sees Mandy returning once again and with that the album will obviously be better than without his skill.
The boogie rockers are top flight and the band sounds comfortable when they Status Quo on "Go Baby Go" which is one fine boogie number. "Rattlesnake Rumble" is immediately likable with the groovy rock n' roll swagger one should expect from Krokus make that demand from Krokus.
You aren't going to get some big reinvention of hard rock music but you are going to get what ACDC hasn't delivered in 20 years and that's pure unadulterated rock n' roll fun. Even when the band drop into ballad mode on the Beatles "Help" they seem to have it all working. Marc's voice is gritty and he infuses emotion and essence of love and life into the song. I honestly like what they have done to it and I'm not big on Beatles songs being covered because it's not easy to re-work perfection.
There is just soooo much to like about Dirty Dynamite that I can't make this review sound anything but shameful gushing on a band I've been a fan of for a large portion of my life.
I am a huge Status Quo fan and once again Krokus move more into their territory with the song "Yellow Mary" another solid rock song
The albums closing track is the kind of ear candy I miss most in the new bands releasing material today. "Hard Rocking Man" is just workman like BTO-esqu rock n' roll that even their peers that are still rocking from back in their heyday can't seem to produce anymore. It's nice to hear a band from my youth that can still drop an album now and again of this top flight caliber.
The boogie rockers are top flight and the band sounds comfortable when they Status Quo on "Go Baby Go" which is one fine boogie number. "Rattlesnake Rumble" is immediately likable with the groovy rock n' roll swagger one should expect from Krokus make that demand from Krokus.
You aren't going to get some big reinvention of hard rock music but you are going to get what ACDC hasn't delivered in 20 years and that's pure unadulterated rock n' roll fun. Even when the band drop into ballad mode on the Beatles "Help" they seem to have it all working. Marc's voice is gritty and he infuses emotion and essence of love and life into the song. I honestly like what they have done to it and I'm not big on Beatles songs being covered because it's not easy to re-work perfection.
There is just soooo much to like about Dirty Dynamite that I can't make this review sound anything but shameful gushing on a band I've been a fan of for a large portion of my life.
I am a huge Status Quo fan and once again Krokus move more into their territory with the song "Yellow Mary" another solid rock song
The albums closing track is the kind of ear candy I miss most in the new bands releasing material today. "Hard Rocking Man" is just workman like BTO-esqu rock n' roll that even their peers that are still rocking from back in their heyday can't seem to produce anymore. It's nice to hear a band from my youth that can still drop an album now and again of this top flight caliber.
Bon Jovi - What About Now
Posted on 17:40 by Unknown
I was never going to be enthusiastic about a Bon Jovi album ever again in my life because they just aren't that good anymore. They have been dropping less and less good uptempo music and filling albums in with complete tossers. Again their more rock sided material have either been similar to each other or they are these torch songs with fast tempos. What About Now comes and delivers nothing that reignites my passion for Bon Jovi music. John's voice sounds weak and tempered lacking much of the luster it once had.
By the time you get to something that doesn't make me want to vomit I'm ten tracks in and this song is just OK. The another run of terrible ballads and some of the worst songwriting this band has ever displayed and that says a lot considering some of crap they have released. This album sounds like John's solo material which outside of the OST to Young Guns II has been gawd awful.
Now with What About Now listened to I've come to the conclusion I'm not a fan of them any longer. This album is by far their worst album as a band and it's almost as poor as Richie's last solo release that sounds like crappy demo's. This album might be produced better on the quality side but their isn't a solid song on the entire album and I am glad I didn't waste my own money on this piece of shit. As Status Quo said many years ago Bye Johnny Bye Bye!
By the time you get to something that doesn't make me want to vomit I'm ten tracks in and this song is just OK. The another run of terrible ballads and some of the worst songwriting this band has ever displayed and that says a lot considering some of crap they have released. This album sounds like John's solo material which outside of the OST to Young Guns II has been gawd awful.
Now with What About Now listened to I've come to the conclusion I'm not a fan of them any longer. This album is by far their worst album as a band and it's almost as poor as Richie's last solo release that sounds like crappy demo's. This album might be produced better on the quality side but their isn't a solid song on the entire album and I am glad I didn't waste my own money on this piece of shit. As Status Quo said many years ago Bye Johnny Bye Bye!
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