The American Scene: "Marty McFly, Nostradamus and I"- A friend recommended this band to me recently and I can not stop playing them! Their album By Way of Introduction, came out in March on PureNoise Records. Check them out!
If you were to ask many kids today who Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore are they probably would have no idea. No idea that the organ player, guitarist, and drummer are the remaining members of 60s rock band The Doors. Kids will not understand the impact The Doors had on music and still have today. That is all about to change though, thanks to Sonny Moore, more popularly known these days as Skrillex. The dubstepping producer teamed up with the trio to come up with a new track, "Breakn' a Sweat". The song is for the upcoming documentary film, RE:GENERATION. The song has classic Doors organs and bluesy feel placed of Skrillex's thumping electro beats. Manzarek even is heard on the track; quoting the famous Doors song "Light My Fire". "Breakn' a Sweat" is the first work for The Doors in the 21st century. The sudden demand for dup step and Skrillex might make kids start rumaging through their parents records to find out exactly who these doors guys are.
RE:GENERATION is a documentary film that placed five DJs/Producers with five artists that are on the opposite side of the spectrum genre wise. The film will be released during the upcoming Grammy Week.
The Roots have perfected the recipe for success. The house band for the "Late Nite with Jimmy Fallon" show have been together for twenty creative years. On December 6th, the band will show even more creativity with the Def Jam Records release of Undun. This will be The Roots thirteenth studio album, but their first concept album. The album will act as a narrative; retelling the life and times of Redford Stephens(1974-1999). Who is Redford Stephens? Good question. The guys will not reveal who Stephens is. Drummer ?uestLove will only say Undun is the story of a criminal who wasn't born a criminal. The Story will also be told in reverse; with the beginning of the album starting with Stephens deceased. Undun will sport some harder beats from The Roots, as well as lots of orchestral chamber music. The band are trying to be more foreword thinking and if possible more original with ideas. The last several records have been shorter in length; that is so that all of their work will seem like one continuous piece. The first single, "Make My" featuring rapper Big K.R.I.T., will drop on ITunes on November 1st. The Roots will also be playing shows in New York City on November 29th and 30th, and December 5th.
Recently The Roots did a remake on Captain Morgan's commercial theme song. The song is funky and unique; just what you would expect from the band.
A Loss For Words may be one of the hardest working bands in the pop punk scene. The quintet from Boston, Mass. self funded their debut E.P., The Kids Can't Lose in 2005, and put on countless amazing live shows hoping a record label would notice. The years of hardship have finally paid off. On October 25th, A Loss For Words' sophomore album, No Sanctuary, was released on Rise/Velocity Records. With all of its subtle differences, No Sanctuary is a solid pop punk but also a superb rock record, making it a huge contender for "Album of the Year" in its genre.
Kicking in heavy around the middle, the album showcases A Loss for Words' versatility. While the opener, "Honeymoon Eyes" is instrumentally aggressive, "Jetsetter" slows down and lets vocalist Matty Aresnault shine. "The Lost Cause I Used to Be" is the bands best work to date. It has one of the strongest choruses, with gang vocals screaming "We are bitter, broken people/ But at least we keep each other company". Heavy on vocals and similar to older material, "The Hammers Fall" was a great choice for the first single released. No Sanctuary is filled with great songs with memorable values.
A Loss for Words have shown the world they have grown up a bit. The guitar work on the album has matured incredibly, with guitarists Nevada Smith and Marc Dangora being more creative but not cheesy. No Sanctuary is slower then The Kids Can't Lose, but the band still delivers a new, heavier sound. That sound is the reason A Loss for Words will have a big year ahead of them.
Some people grow their fingernails ridiculously long to get into the Guinness Book of World Records. Others perform death-defying stunts. 30 Seconds To Mars however, just have to do what they do best-put on a show. The band put on their last studio album, This is War, in 2009. Since then, front man Jared Leto and the boys have toured non stop for two years. On December 7th at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom, 30 Seconds to Mars will play their 300th show for This is War. That show will break a current world record and land them in the treasured book. The trio will now hold the record for "Most Shows ever Performed during a Single Album Cycle". To celebrate this huge occasion, 30 Seconds to Mars have planned a week of special shows, starting on December 5th. Tickets for the record breaking performance can be found on the Official Website of the band and at The Hammerstein Ballrooms' Website.
Successful in both mainstream and Christian markets, Family Force 5 have been the kings of crunk rock for quite some time now. For those who do not know, crunk rock can best be described as "ghetto redneck" music. If you want to dance and party, check it out. Yesterday, the band dropped their third studio full length, appropriately titled III on Tooth & Nail Records. The variety on the album is incredible. There is not one genre of music Family Force 5 does not cover. However, III can best be described by the time old saying, "the parts are better then the whole".
The album starts off fun with "Can You Feel It", which is darkened with its guitar-synth combination. "Wobble" is a weird to say the least dance that the band has created. The song is a hit at live shows. The synths are impecable on the rap filled, "Get on Outta Here". "Not Alone" serves as the record's bluesy funk rock ballad. The song's lyrics have the most Christian references on the album. The boys from the dirty dirty even get a little spanish flair on III with "Mamacita".
Family Force 5's musical versatility has grown tremendously and shows on III. Rythm guitar player and vocalist Solomon Olds is at his greatest melodically. The senseless and even slightly offensive lyrics are the biggest problem on the record. In the party rock catagory, competing with other bands like 30H!3, LMFAO, and Breathe Carolina, your lyrics have to be highly offensive. The formentioned bands desplay sexual fantasies like no one's business. There is no point just scratching the surface. The band just does not make their mark with this album. The lyrics do not feel forced, but just immature. Unfortunately, if III will show anything, it will be the difference between Family Force 5 and other bands is becoming less apparent.
In this industry, it's hard to stay together. Break ups are common causality for bands. Sometimes they are ugly and nasty, and sometimes the band comes to the decision together. Here are some updates on recent break ups and members calling it quits.
Two weeks ago, The Academy Is... preformed for the delight of many fans at Fueld By Ramen's 15th Anniversary Show. However, this past weekend the band announced their break up. All members feel that The Academy Is... has left its mark on the music industry and they have done all they can together. All three members will continue to make music, just separately. The trio from Chicago have been together for nine years and put out 3 albums. Their debut full length EP, Almost Here, was released in 2005 to much critical success.
Valencia:
Despite the initial rumors, the Philadelphia band is not breaking up, just taking a hiatus. Since 2004, the boys have been touring non stop and they just want a break to try and finally pursue other ventures. They will all continue to be about music; and will let fans know about solo projects. Valencia states that this break does not feel final, so do not count out a reunion down the line. The band will play a farewell show on December 28, at the Electric Factory in their hometown. Check out their website for more details.
Earlier this week, bassist Josh Newton confirmed his departure from the metalcore band. The band had not said much, just stating that the last three weeks have been really hard touring and Newton will be missed an loved as he pursues a "real" job. Early yesterday, Every Time I Die announced that former bassist Steve Micciche will be back to play for the upcoming tour with GWAR. The American tour begins October 18. Micciche was with Every Time I Die from 2001 till 2005. The band will be releasing their sixth full length studio album in 2012.
Mayday Parade: "Everything's an Illusion"- Off their new self titled album. If you don't listen to them, YOU SHOULD!
La Dispute: "Edit Your Hometown"- Fourth song on their latest record, Wildlife. New favorite of mine.
The Fray: "Heartbeat"- Newest single from this amazing group, album coming in early 2012.
Four Year Strong: "Just Drive"- The band's upcoming album has me highly skeptical, but I do like this single.
I Am the Avalanche: "Dear Friends"- Everyone should go pick up Avalanche United if you are into this genre of music.
Paramore: "Renegade"- A brand new song only played once live at the Fueld By Ramen 15th anniversary show last month. Paramore will be releasing a singles club vinyl shortly with this and two more new songs.
Tonight Alive: "Thank You and Goodnight"- My favorite group from down under, the song features Mark Hoppus, bassist for Blink 182
We Are the In Crowd: "Exits and Entrances"- See last post for any explanation.
Gym Class Heroes: "Martyrial Girl$"- There is never enough Gym Class Heroes.
New Found Glory: "Caught in the Act"- The kings of pop punk are back with their newest album, Radiosurgery.
A Loss For Words: "Pirouette"- The latest single from the upcoming album, No Sanctuary.
Portugal. The Man: "So American"- The video for this song makes me miss summer.
This Time Next Year: "My Side of Town"- Drop Out of Life was produced by NFG's Chad Gilbert, and it shows on songs like this.
Jack's Mannequin: "My Racing Thoughts"- How could you ever get sick of Andrew McMahon?
The Black Keys: "Tighten Up"- The song is a year old, but it makes me think of my sister in Miami and I smile.
If you are a female fronted Pop-Rock band, you're going to get the Hayley Williams comparison, its inevitable. You are going to have to prove that you have enough substance and your own legs to stand on to break away from that. Best Intentions is We Are the In Crowd's debut chance to do just that. Released on October 4th by Hopeless Records, the band mixes honest love tunes with self assured songs to exes in the span of a little over a half hour. "Rumor Mill" was the lead single off the album, but "This Isn't Goodbye, it's BRB" is highly addictive. "Exits and Entrances" is by far the band's best effort collectively on the record. We Are the In Crowd's instrumentation excels with the guitar work, drums, and vocals all working around each other. Produced again by Zachary Odom and Kenneth Mount, there are little to no curve balls from the band's EP, Guaranteed to Disagree. However, Best Intentions definitely shows We Are the In Crowd's growth in the past year with more personal lyrics and different song structures being used. Singer Taylor Jardine has been referred as a "harder" Kelly Clarkson recently, so perhaps the band's debut is a great way to gain their legs in this industry.
Listen to "Exits and Entrances" by We Are the In Crowd Now:
So I guess I wound up taking the whole summer off and for that I apologize. With that play on lyrics and words, lets jump right back in...
On Tuesday, Fueld By Ramen released "Martyrial Girl$" by Gym Class Heroes. The song is the second single off the up and coming album, The Papercut Chronicles II. The single has seemed to bring a sigh of relief to old G.C.H. fans; while probably having new fans intrigued. "Stereo Hearts" was the band's first single off the album and has had nothing but radio and commercial success. "Martyrial Girl$" is sonically stronger and harsher then the first single. Returning fans have been happy to hear that the sugary sweetness of "Stereo Hearts" will not coat the entire album. With guitar riffs galore, filters to make that "punk" sound, and straight up lyrics, lead singer Travis McCoy and the rest of the band let everyone know they are not down for materialism. The only part that seems to be lacking is in the chorus, which comes off a little elementary and out of place.
With the recent success of "Stereo Hearts" and the buzz about "Martyrial Girl$" within 48 hours, it's not hard to understand why The Papercut Chronicles II is slated to be one of the biggest releases this fall. Originally planned to be in stores already, Gym Class Heroes pushed the album back to November 15. The reasoning behind this was the band felt they could put more work into the record and thought that was the best idea for their fans. The album will have reoccurring music and themes from the original, The Papercut Chronicles, an obvious statement with lyrics like "On my papercut shit again/Thank God for walkmans" stated here on the second single. Artists are supposed to grow and mature from album to album, however that can sometimes be a downfall. Fans will always either love it or hate it, it's a risk every artist has to take with new material. With the difference between the first two singles, I think it is safe to say Gym Class Heroes have explored new sounds without damaging their roots.
