This Week’s Playlist

1. Before I Forget-Slipknot
2. You Make Me Sick-Egypt Central
3. Silver Lining-Rilo Kiley
4. Phenomena-Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5. Beautiful You-Saving Abel
6. The Kelly Affair-Be Your Own Pet
7. I Will Possess Your Heart-Death Cab for Cutie
8. Inside the Fire-Disturbed
9. Saints of Los Angeles-Motley Crue
10. Home-Bobaflex

Music Video of the Week
That Green Gentleman-Panic at the Disco
I never grow tired of Panic’s offbeat, quirky style. It’s so fun and carefree. This song as well as the video showcases that. Their sophomore album, Pretty. Odd. has gotten many rave reviews, including my own. I absolutely love the folk and 60’s influence of this song and of the video. It’s very Carnivale, but in a good way. I especially loved the final shot of the little porcelain dolls arranged in a ‘Cingular bar’ formation.

Juno soundtrack-indie rock at it's best.

After I saw the cult hit Juno in theaters, I just had to buy the soundtrack. Normally I’m not really into indie rock, but the movie as well as the soundtrack has made me a die-hard fan. With tracks from Sonic Youth, Kimya Dawson, and Antsy Pants, as well as a duet cover of the Moldy Peaches’ Anyone Else But You from Ellen Page and Michael Cera, the Juno soundtrack is a hard one to beat. The fact that Ellen Page got an award at the MTV movie awards makes it even better.

Song of the Week:
Hip-Hop Saved My Life-Lupe Fiasco ft. Nikki Jean
Another of the many underrated musicians in the music industry, rapper Lupe Fiasco really delivers in his newest single. Rather than rap about how he’s ‘The Boss’ or about how he gets all the booty, he chose to tell a story about an aspiring rapper’s rough rise to the top. The lilting vocals in the chorus by Nikki Jean add to the track rather than take away from it. This track, in my opinion, is one of the best rap songs in a while.

Album of the Week:
Black Tide-Light From Above
One listen to this Miami foursome’s debut and you wouldn’t believe me when I told you that only one is old enough to buy cigarettes. Lead singer/guitarist, Gabriel Garcia, is only 14, yet he sings and plays with the power of someone twice his age. He’s a force to be reckoned with right now, so just imagine him at 25. Garcia isn’t the only talented one in the group, rhythm guitarist Alex Nunez, bass guitarist Zachary Sandler, and drummer Steven Spence are equally advanced. Their single Shockwave showcases each instrument, but there’s more than one good song on the whole album. This group will have you rocking for years to come.
Best tracks: Shockwave, Show Me the Way, Let Me, Shout.

This Week’s Playlist
1. A-Punk-Vampire Weekend
2. Let Me-Black Tide
3. I’m Like a Lawyer-FOB
4. The Kelly Affair-Be Your Own Pet
5. Drive There Now-The Almost
6. To Be Loved-Papa Roach
7. Down and Out-Tantric
8. Come to Life-Alter Bridge
9. Breathe Today-Flyleaf
10. Dig-Incubus

Music Video of the Week
Afterlife-Avenged Sevenfold
With the abnormal lighting and dark themes, A7X really hit this one out of the park. It actually had shots of everyone in the band, not just the lead singer. The vid shows guitarist power duo Zacky Vengeance and Synyster Gates rocking out on their signature Schecter guitars. I love when music videos actually show the guitarists soloing. The emotion on Synyster Gates’ face while his fast fingers sail fleetingly up and down the fret board of the guitar is raw and true, not to mention utterly sexy. M. Shadows vocals are searing, and the bass solo in the opening of the song by Johnny Christ is great. Another amazing song turned into an amazing video..this is why I’m a fan.

Against Me!-Wtf?!?!
Okay, so I was watching Fuse this morning and on came the video for Stop. But it wasn’t the one I normally see and fell in love with, but a new more political one, featuring gay marriage and a guy in army drab holding an AK. I’m not bashing either mentioned theme by any means, but seriously, what was wrong with the first video? Why are all of these bands jumping on the political bandwagon all of a sudden? Sure, U2’s been doing it for decades, but it’s kind of their thing. I simply don’t understand why musician’s feel the need to “rock the vote”. If people are looking to their favorite bands to decide who to vote for, then maybe they shouldn’t vote at all.

Song of the Week:
Beat It-Fallout Boy
This cover of Michael Jackson’s hit Beat It really proves FOB’s starpower. With a fantastic solo, it showcases the guitar skills and vocalist Patrick Stump’s singing is almost impeccable. All of the attention wasn’t on Pete Wentz for once. I’ll be honest, I was surprised when I heard this. Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely a fan of FOB, but I didn’t know they were this good. Wow.

Album of the Week:
The Bravery-The Sun and the Moon Complete
The Bravery really delivers with their new two-disc production The Sun and the Moon Complete. The Moon disc features the same songs as The Sun, but they are redone. Vocalist/guitarist Sam Endicott has a great voice, and he’s backed by equally capable musicians on guitar, bass, keys, and drums. This alternative-pop band really delivers on every song. Their clean, techy guitar sound makes them sound as if it’s a 60’s band you’re listening to, but it’s still very now.
Best tracks: Believe, This Is Not the End, Tragedy Bound

Staind, 3 Doors Down, Hinder Announce Summer Tour.

Staind and 3 Doors Down are expected to hit the road this summer in support of their upcoming albums. They will be joined by the alt-rock group Hinder, who's Extreme Behavior debut dropped in 2005. Hinder is currently working on a follow-up, but no official release date has been set.

Staind, 3 Doors Down & Hinder
07/04 - Muskegon, MI - Heritage Landing (Staind & Hinder only)

07/09 - Maryland Heights, MO - UMB Bank Pavilion

07/11 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Blossom Music Theatre

07/12 - Milwaukee, WI - Marcus Amphitheater

07/13 - Tinley Park, IL - First Midwest Bank Pavilion

07/15 - Portland, ME - Cumberland County Civic Center

07/16 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center

07/18 - Hartford, CT - New England Dodge Music Center

07/19 - Harrington, DE - Delaware State Fair

07/20 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center

07/22 - Mansfield, MA - Tweeter Center

07/25 - Darien Center, NY - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

07/26 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center

07/27 - Hershey, PA - Hershey Park Stadium

07/30 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theater

08/21 - St. Paul, MN - Minnesota State Fair
Staind
05/10 - Washington, DC - Chili Cook Off (w/ Seether, Against Me)

05/16 - Fayetteville, NC - Crown Coliseum

05/17 - Columbus, OH - Columbus Crew Stadium (w/ Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold)

05/18 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center (w/ Stone Temple Pilots)

08/07 - Sioux Falls, SD - Sioux Empire Fair Expo Hall

08/08 - Sturgis, SD - Buffalo Chip Campground
3 Doors Down
05/10 - Orlando, FL - Tinker Field

05/11 - Tampa, FL - Raymond James Stadium

05/16 - Nashville, TN - Nashville Riverfront Park

05/18 - Columbus, OH - Columbus Crew Stadium/Rock On The Range

05/23 - Toledo, OH - Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre

05/24 - Noblesville, IN - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

07/05 - Oahu, HI - Bayfest Hawaii Kaneohe Bay

07/16 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center

08/06 - Sturgis, SD - Buffalo Chip Campground

08/09 - Brandon, Manitoba - Turtle Crossing

Bach Not Joining VR.

After rumors began swirling that Sebastian Bach would be the new lead singer for Velvet Revolver after Scott Weiland's departure, I bet we were all wondering if it was for real.
Courtesy of ultimate-guitar.com, here's a quote by Bach on his reasoning..

"I've talked to Slash [Velvet Revolver/ex-Guns N' Roses guitarist] recently," Sebastian revealed. "I think it'd be really awkward for me to join that band. Number one, my new record, 'Angel Down', I like it more than Velvet Revolver records. That's just being totally honest.

"I love Guns N' Roses material, but I've got my own old songs — Skid Row — so for me, it would all depend on music. I wouldn't just join the band just to join the band. If we came up with some incredible new songs, then maybe I'd think about it, but honestly, I'm very close friends with Axl, and he sings three songs on my new record. I think Dr. Pepper owes me a case of free soda. [Laughs] [Referring to the Dr. Pepper soft drink company's announcement that it will offer a free can of its signature soda to 'everyone in America' if GN'R releases its long-delayed new album, 'Chinese Democracy', in 2008 — Ed.]

"Axl's been so nice to me — he's helped me out my whole career. In Skid Row he helped us out, and in my solo band he brought me around the world, and then sang three songs on my new CD, which is pretty mind-blowing. I don't know… It's a cut-throat business, but Axl's been so nice to me, I don't think I would feel comfortable just joining Velvet Revolver and singing his songs every night. So I don't think that's gonna happen."

I have to say that I think it's a bit of a let-down, because for one thing, he's a great singer and for another I think he'd mesh really well with the remaining members not just in style, but also personality.

This Week’s Playlist
1. Given Up-Linkin Park
2. Tree Hugger-Ansty Pants
3. Hip-Hop Saved My Life-Lupe Fiasco
4. Kickstart My Heart-Motley Crue
5. Scream-Avenged Sevenfold
6. Rain Wizard-Black Stone Cherry
7. Little Lover’s So Polite-Silversun Pickups
8. Baby Baby Baby-Endeverafter
9. Becky-Be Your Own Pet
10. Let the Flames Begin-Paramore

Music Video of the Week
Saints of Los Angeles-Motley Crue
Thank God they’re back! With the debut of their new single, Saints of Los Angeles, they prove that things really do get better with time. Shot mainly in black and white with shots of red, it’s an awesome video. It’s also complete with Motley Crue’s signature, lots of scantily-clad girls. They have Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach, Josh Todd of Buckcherry, and James Michael of Sixx:A.M belting out in the chorus, which I think really adds to the song as well as the video. They pioneered the bad-ass, hard-life act, and it’s about time they came back with a vengeance to show everyone else how it’s really done.

Music news.

STP to reunite!!
After lead vocalist Scott Weiland was kicked out of Velvet Revolver, it seemed only fit that he reunite with his former band, alt-rock pioneers Stone Temple Pilots. After their tour, they plan on hitting the studios to record some all new material. The group kicks off their reunion tour May 17 at the Rock on the Range festival in Columbus, OH. I am ecstatic that I’ll be there to see it. Will you?

Song of the Week: Rise Above This-Seether
This song is a heart-wrenching, metal-infused tale of the loss of lead singer Shaun’s brother. It’s the second single from their full-length album, Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces. Filled with good rhythm guitar work and a decent solo as well as a good intro drum beat, this is a great song from an underrated band. The music video shows the emotion not only through special effects, but also the tears rolling down his cheeks as he belts out the final chorus.

Album of the Week: EndEverAfter-Kiss or Kill
After hearing their debut single, I Wanna Be Your Man, on my satellite radio, I was especially compelled to go out and buy this album. I was far from disappointed. Influenced heavily by some of rock’s most legendary bands (think Motley Crue, Guns N Roses, and Aerosmith), EndEverAfter delivers a debut album chocked full of searing guitar riffs, explosive solos, heavy drum beats, and hard-to-emulate vocals. The track Next Best Thing also proves the band has a softer side and showcases their writing ability. Out of ten stars, I’d definitely rate this album an 8.
Best tracks: I Wanna Be Your Man, Next Best Thing, Tip of My Tongue.

First post. =)

Okay..so I started this blog simply because I love music. That's pretty much what I'm going to talk about..CDs, news, upcoming tours, videos. All that good stuff. I like pretty much all types of music, so that's what I'm gunna cover.
<33.