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Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Review: The Fringes - The Fringes
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Saturday, December 19, 2009
Review: Super 400 - Sweet Fist
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Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Review: Rush - Working Men
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Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Review: The Arkitecht - Hyperstructure
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Friday, December 4, 2009
Review: Ruder Than You - Creation Sounds
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Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Review: The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
Embryonic is the twelfth studio release, and the first double album, by the The Flaming Lips. It features some already relatively well known guest musicians, and tends to differ from the most recent previous efforts, in the respect that it's much less polished, and features a much grittier, raw sound, production-wise...
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Saturday, November 28, 2009
Major Label Notables - Fall/Winter 2009 (and a 2010 preview)
So, there are some decent recent and upcoming releases that I think are probably worth mentioning. So here goes.
A couple interesting releases...
- DethAlbum II (Dethklok) - Admittedly this album went relatively unnoticed, despite the fact that the "band" is currently on tour with Mastodon in support of their March release of Crack the Skye. Brandon Small (or should I say Nathan Explosion), has taken a turn for the better in terms of vocal style, and musically Dethklok remains on point. Impressive for a cartoon band. 4/5 Stars. Released September, on the same date as Alice in Chains new release, Black Gives Way to Blue. This is an interesting release. It's good music, and a decent debut for William Duvall, their new vocalist. But you just can't replace Layne. 3.5/5 Stars
- Liebe Ist Für Alle Da (Rammstein) - Despite, admittedly disturbing, album artwork, Rammstein continues to make solid music, with an equal dose of industrial and hard hitting metal. This is guaranteed to bother you if you have a thing against profanity, though, given the first single that was released, Pussy. Leave nothing for the imagination, will you? At the same time, the album features Bückstabü, or B********, a word that is meant for the listener to determine their own meaning. Excellent. 4/5 stars. Released October
- The Great Misdirect (Between the Buried and Me) - There's honestly very little I can say about this album. It lives up to the hype, which is something very few bands can say. Technical ability is exceptional as always. Some were skeptical given the first single, but I assure you. This album is also excellent. 4.5/5 Stars. Released October.
- Raditude (Weezer) - This album had high points. It also had it's very low points (see: Can't Stop Partying). But damn it all if I can stop singing the single, (If You're Wondering if I Want You To) I Want You To. Weezer has perfected the art of the catchy pop-rock song, and I don't see a thing wrong with that. Sure, we'd all like to see a return to the old days, but I'll give 'em the benefit of the doubt here. 3/5 Stars. Released November.
- Them Crooked Vultures Selftitled - Don't think I've ever absolutely adored an album like this in a long, long time. The collective efforts of Josh Homme, John Paul Jones, and Dave Grohl have come together in an sometimes unfairly criticized masterpiece. It's admittedly very strongly Queens of the Stone Age influenced (see: Interlude With Ludes), with an added Led Zeppelin vibe. I've been blasting it since I got it, and I still am in love with it. I rarely do this, but I rarely enjoy an album this much. 5/5 Stars. Released November.
- Honestly, December 2009 doesn't look to good for rock, but I've always enjoyed the Bravery, so I figure I might mention Stir the Blood, to be released on December 1st.
- Expect new work from OK Go, Motion City Soundtrack, Eels, Godsmack, Alter Bridge, Coheed and Cambria, Suicidal Tendencies, Disturbed, Sum 41, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Against Me!, As I Lay Dying, Bad Religion, Blink-182, Candlebox, Crossfade, Dropkick Murphys, Evanescence, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Kings of Leon, Korn, Linkin Park, Motorhead, Nevermore, The Offspring, Pennywise (With a new vocalist?), Rush, Saving Abel, Scorpions, Social Distortion, Stone Sour, Stone Temple Pilots, Testament, Tool, and Van Halen. Given bands habits of supporting new albums, I think it's safe to say 2010 will be an excellent year for concerts.
- Also look for Priestess's new release, which was already released in Canada, but due to label restrictions it has been put of in the U.S. for at least a few months.
- Smashing Pumpkins is also coming out with a 44 song concept album, to be released for free online over the course of the year.
- Them Crooked Vultures and The Dead Weather are also said to already be working on their next efforts.
- Slash's solo album is said to be already completed, and just awaiting the released date. God only hopes it's better than the work he did with Rihanna in Rockstar 101, given the lack of actual guitar in the song.
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Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Review: The Company Band - The Company Band
This past year was one for rock collaborations. The year of the supergroup if you will, what with bands like Chickenfoot, The Dead Weather, and most recently, Them Crooked Vultures, all gaining popularity. It's likely however, that one supergroup will go relatively unnoticed. With their self-titled full length debut, The Company Band, featuring members from Clutch, CKY, Fu Manchu, and Fireball Ministry, deserve some recognition.
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Friday, November 20, 2009
Review : Dr. Dog - Fate
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Monday, November 16, 2009
Review: Underwater Pilots - Tranquil Places
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Sunday, November 15, 2009
Review: Holdsworth Pasqua Haslip Wackerman - Blues for Tony
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Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Review: Beppe Crovella - Pianovagando
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Saturday, November 7, 2009
Review: Phil Ranelin & Tribe Renaissance - Reminiscence
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Friday, November 6, 2009
Review: Shannon Corey - Overdue
Following suit is emerging artist, Shannon Corey, who has been featured by several magazines and even on MTV's The Real World: Cancun. And with her release of Overdue, the EP to follow up Unsaid, it's not difficult to see where all the hype comes from.
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Sunday, November 1, 2009
Review: Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones - Falling Through The Cracks
Despite these efforts, traditional blues has nearly been lost. That is what I believed, until I had listened to Falling Through The Cracks, the newest release from Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones. Over an hour of pure blues, it completely restored my faith in the genre.
Most people, upon hearing music by Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones, recognize them as a band that returns to the roots of blues as opposed to a continuation of modern adaptations of the style. Within the first thirty seconds or so of the opening track, “Tonight Is The Night,” this is apparent to anyone. The quick clean opening riff sounds like something straight out of the 50s early rock'n'roll scene...
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Saturday, October 31, 2009
Please Read: Close to Home.
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Thursday, October 29, 2009
Review: Harley's War - Hardcore All-Stars
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Monday, October 26, 2009
Review: Loda Dimes - 10 Cent Instant Rebate
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Sunday, October 25, 2009
Review: Automatic Fire - Summer 2009 Demos
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Review: Moraine - Manifest Density
When a band or artist decides that they want to create their own sound, like every good, or at least unique band does, they often break a few rules and cross that dreaded genre line. This has the potential for either being a huge success, like the thrash metal movement of the 1980s, which combined the speed of hardcore punk and metal sensibilities, literally changing the face of music. It also has the potential for fleeting popularity and eventual ridicule in some circles, much like the fate of nu-metal, which had its basis in the already iffy combination of rap and rock music.
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Sunday, October 18, 2009
Review: The Del McCoury Band - Family Circle
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Saturday, October 17, 2009
Concert Review: Metallica
Where? JPJ Arena / Charlottesville, VA
When? October 17, 2009
After having seen Iron Maiden, Tool, and a number of my favorite bands in the past, this left one major concert-going goal: my favorite band, Metallica. I had already missed the opportunity for the pit in DC, and eventually the show sold out as it was. So upon hearing they would be coming, at least within the distance of a long drive, I was determined to get there. So obviously I did.
We got to the show late, midway through Lamb of God's set. Admittedly, I wouldn't have minded to see their full set, and Gojira as well, but I was there for 'tallica. And that's all that mattered, really. I will say however, that the little bit of Lamb of God that I DID see, that they are excellent live. Nothing too flashy or anything, BUT the musicianship was on point.
Lamb of God got offstage, and the lights went up. As the minutes counted down, the excited tension of the place increased. And then, the lights went out. Completely. And all one could hear, at least beyond the crowd, was Ennio Morricone's chilling The Ecstasy of Gold. It led straight into the heartbeats the began That Was Just Your Life. A dark blue light lit the place, and then, as soon as the distorted guitar kicked in, there were lasers. Oh my God, there were lasers. They changed colors with each chord struck, and changed motion with the tempo. It was both ridiculous in the best way possible, and just plain amazing. Metallica sounded on point, as expected, and I was blown away. By the first song.
To go through song by song and just talk about how amazing it was, would... well, take forever. So I'll give a summary of the highlights:
- Creeping Death - Definitely glad the old stuff showed up so early. It was heavy as hell. A lot of people say that James' vocals have gone for the worse when doing old stuff, but seriously, he was on point that night. No wah abuse :D Great stuff. First time the coffin light fixtures were lowered, everyone was kinda surprised. This and Fuel, I'm pretty sure they played faster than the studio versions. It was insane.
- Fade to Black - This was literally perfect. Better than the studio version. Low lighting, perfect solos. Everything was just... amazing. I can't say that enough.
- One - I'm just going to come right out and say it, the pyro gives Iron Maiden a run for their money. The multicolored flames, the floor fires during the intro. Awesome.
- Nothing Else Matters/ Enter Sandman - Nothing Else Matters was played absolutely beautifully, exactly as it should be. But as soon as that last note of that powerful solo was played, it led right into the distinct opening riff of Enter Sandman, a song every fan in the audience seemed to go nuts over.
- Encore -- Started with an absolutely on point cover of Stone Cold Crazy, originally done by Queen. Then, a huge surprise for the fans of the old days, they played Trapped Under Ice, the first time in.... a long time, if I'm not mistaken. Really good. And then there was Seek and Destroy. Throughout the song, the Metallica beach balls fell from the ceiling to the fans below, as they played, and the audience screamed every word. It's their usual last song for them, but is still an amazing closer to an amazing concert.
Setlist:
- That Was Just Your Life
- The End Of The Line
- Creeping Death
- Fuel
- Fade To Black
- Broken, Beat And Scarred
- Cyanide
- Sad But True
- One
- My Apocalypse
- The Day That Never Comes
- Master Of Puppets
- Blackened
- Nothing Else Matters
- Enter Sandman
Posted by Sara at 7:21 PM 0 comments
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Featured Artist: Scouting For Girls
SFG is a London-based indie pop band comprised of Roy Stride (vocals/keyboards), Greg Churchouse (bass guitar), and Peter Ellard (percussion). This phenomenal three piece manages to maintain the ability to write a song that is, quite frankly, catchy as hell, but don't come off as too mainstream or poppy. Their songs range in subject matter from crushes and love to... spies? Yes, ladies and gentlemen, spies. The song "I Wish I was James Bond," easily the most recognized track thanks to YouTube, states the speaker's wistful desires to "kiss all the girls and blow the bad guys away," much in the fashion of his idol, James Bond himself.
SFG takes a different approach to alternative musicianship as well. Instead of opting for the typical guitar-bass-drums style of many indie bands, SFG takes advantage of the versatility of the piano instead of the "standard" guitar. Some might find themselves initially skeptical on this front, but I assure you it actually produces a refreshing sound. I mean, I'm saying this, and as a guitarist, I'm automatically biased, and I'm saying good things about it. Come on now.
Despite the UK's adoration for SFG, I've noticed that the only real US recognition they've received is one of their songs in a Vonage commercial. Unfortunately, unless something's changed, the album is not available in the US iTunes store, but they have an EP available on their official website for free download so I recommend you check them out.
Posted by Sara at 1:49 PM 0 comments
Review: The Hit & Mrs. - Ashes of Bridges
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Sunday, October 4, 2009
Review: Clandestine - The Invalid
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Monday, September 28, 2009
Review: Secrets of the Moon - Priveligivm
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Saturday, September 26, 2009
Featured Artist: Deathalizer
In the few weeks I've had it, I've had indie bands add me, some exceptional, some much less so. I posted a blog asking if a band would like to be featured in The Pulse, to please contact me.
About a day later, I received a message from a band, known as Deathalizer, asking to be featured.
I always go into MySpace band sites with a high amount of skepticism. Usually they're either teenage bands that only have about a month's worth of experience working together and a GarageBand recording of themselves doing Smells Like Teen Spirit, or a label run page that has no personal affiliation with the band. But naturally I give it a shot. I've got nothing but time, and hell, it might be worth it.
Now would I be sitting here writing about it if it wasn't? Didn't think so.
Deathalizer is a four-piece unsigned metal band from New York. Adopting their unmistakably thrash style from the likes of Metallica, Slayer, and Pantera, they blend the best of what these bands showcase to create great, in-your-face metal.
Starting with The Angel's Fall, the first track from Deathalizer's album, It Dwells Within, kicks off with slow dark sounding acoustic guitars, breaking into similarly paced harmonized riffs, leading, finally, into the Metallica-esque "theme" of the song, in a sense.
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Thursday, September 17, 2009
Review: Anata Wa Sukkari Tsukarete Shimai - Sweetness and Light EP
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Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Featured Artist: Charm City Devils
Anyone that knows me knows I'm a huge concert-goer. I really enjoy live music, preferably good live music.
So, a couple Januaries ago, a friend told me about a concert, four bands, five bucks, and the closer was Egypt Central. Not a hugely known band, but I'd always really enjoyed their music. And hell yes, I can afford that.
So, day of the show rolls around. We go, it's at the Ottobar in Baltimore. Now, I had never been there before that time, but I wasn't surprised to find that it's basically a stage, a bar, and a thick layer of haze.
We got there early, because... well... that's what we do. Get there early, almost guaranteed a place against the stage. Not like it was really difficult, because the crowd wasn't huge.
First band was a local band called... hell... I don't remember their name. They were alright for what they did, but I wasn't really feelin' it at the time. Next band was Lennex, another local band. Highly entertaining. Good music. Third band was a Baltimore based band, Forty Acres. This was actually my favorite of the night. Egypt Central was good, but Forty Acres really stood out to me. Maybe it's because I'm a huge fan of the "throwback" style of rock: something reminiscent of the 70's or 80's. But they put on a damn good show. High energy, kept the crowd moving, including that drunk chick behind me, shakily holding her drink above my head, only to let it fall, dousing me with whatever alcohol she may have been consuming.
But that's neither here nor there. After the show, I felt compelled to buy the album they had on sale: Broken Promise, a self-produced album. A purchase I was glad I made, worth way more then the... $10? $5? Something.
All I know now is that I have kept up with this band since I saw them. And it's amazing to see how far they've made it.
They started out in vocalist/guitarist John Allen's basement. He already had a lot of useful experience in both songwriting and touring before, as the drummer for SR-71, a Baltimore local alternative rock band. This time around, however, Mr. Allen stepped up to the mic, and anyone like me, who's a fan of the band is glad he did. His voice is perfectly suited for the old-school rock'n'roll sound that they produce, and the instrumental aspect is equally well suited.
They played shows around the Baltimore area for a while, until they were "discovered." Discovered, I say, by Mr. Nikki Sixx himself, bassist for Motley Crue and president of Eleven/Seven Records.
After several name changes, going from Forty Acres to Chosen Son, and then from Chosen Son to what we now know as Charm City Devils, a tribute to the city they have emerged from, they were signed to Eleven Seven, among big names like Crue themselves, Drowning Pool, and Buckcherry.
Now what is it about Charm City Devils that make them unique?
Maybe it's the fact that unlike many so-called rock bands of today, they truly represent the whole, no holds barred, dangerous, raw sound of what rock once was. No frills, nothing too complex, just pure sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll.
Charm City Devils released their breakout Eleven Seven debut, Let's Rock-n-Roll, earlier this year. A fun release, preferred when played loudly, it still features that raw sound that was loved about Broken Promise.
They have just ended their run opening for Cruefest 2, and are now on the second leg of their tour, so if you get the chance, go see them.
So, if you like bands like Buckcherry or Jet, or simply like the idea of a band reviving the old school rock sound, I recommend you check out Charm City Devils.
You saw it first on The Pulse
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Monday, August 31, 2009
Featured artist: Upstanding Youth
Hawaii.
Warm sun. Beautiful beaches. Volcanoes. That obnoxious guy in the brightly colored floral tee, a rainbow-colored lei, a straw "nest" hat on his head, and the biggest camera that they make for public use strapped around his neck.
But when it comes to Hawaii's music, what comes to mind?
Ukelele around the campfire, anyone?
Not anymore.
I'd like to introduce to you one of my favorite accidental music discoveries: Upstanding Youth.
Upstanding Youth is a six-piece ska-punk (with a touch of reggae) band from O'ahu, Hawaii. Six very different people, pursuing very different goals in each of their respective lives. One goal that unifies them, however, is to share their music. Whether it's used as an outlet, a universal language, or is just simply everything, these guys came together, began performing locally in Hawaii in 2001 and have been playing together as a band ever since.
And with prominent influences such as Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, NOFX, The Mighty Mighty BossTones, Bob Marley, and Sublime, among others, where can they go wrong? Apparently they can't, because each of their four albums have won Best Ska/Punk Album in each of their respective years at the Hawaiian Music Awards, which are said to be the Grammys of Hawaii.
Seems like what they've been doing is working. And their newest award winner, A Sense of Urgency, is no exception whatsoever. An somewhat edgier release, in the rock sense, than earlier albums Trying to Stand, Kam Highway Catharsis, and Still, the album totally delivers. This new edge can be seen in tracks throughout an album, from Bigger than You and Me, Flying V, which, I might add, displays the band's flawless ability to build up a song. Songs like Detonate, a tune questioning the eventual fate of the band, Empty Pockets, and Electric Fence, my personal favorite of the album, reinstates the band's identity as a SKA band, but it's not as if anyone was questioning it. It still continues to be the most prominent aspect of the album.
You saw it first on The Pulse
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