HIM
“Tears on Tape”
Rise Above Records
Producer: Hiili Hiilesmaa
Tracks: 13

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Lead singer Ville Valo and the other members of the popular Finnish rock band HIM are back with their 8th full-length studio album titled “Tears on Tape. The album features 13 brand new tracks by the love metal band which burst on to the music scene in the late 90’s thanks in part to the help of “Jackass” star Bam Margera. “Tears on Tape” was produce by Hiili Hiilesmaa and is the first release by the band since signing to Rise Above Records. The album is the follow up release to the bands 2010 album titled “Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice”.

HIM has always been one of those bands that lay low in their off time and pretty much keeps things under wraps until they are good and ready. Then suddenly things explode! The band’s latest release “Tears on Tape” is a throwback to early HIM albums such as “Razorblade Romance”. The album has a much more streamlined approach while still capturing the dark and foreboding undertones fans have come to expect from the bands albums. Songs such as “I Will Be The End of You” and “All Lips Go Blue” blast out your speakers rocking your senses from start to finish while more subtle tracks like “Tears on Tape” and “Drawn & Quartered” do a great job of showcasing Valo’s unique vocal styling’s.

Both long time listeners and more casual fans of the band will easily be able to pick this album up and find something if not everything to like. From piano laced love songs to distorted rock tracks HIM’s “Tears on Tape” has it all. The album is available in a number of different formats including digital download, Limited Edition CD/DVD and Standard editions. Be sure to get out and grab one on your preferred media choice.

Track Listing:
1.) Unleash the Red
2.) All Lips Go Blue
3.) Love Without Tears
4.) I Will Be The End of You
5.) Tears on Tape
6.) Into the Night
7.) Hearts at War
8.) Trapped in Autumn
9.) No Love
10.) Drawn & Quartered
11.) Lucifer’s Chorale
12.) W.L.S.T.D.
13.) Kiss the Void

Related Content

• CD Review: Volbeat “Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies”
• CD Review: A Sound of Thunder “Time’s Arrow”
• CD Review: Bullet For My Valentine “Temper Temper”
• CD Review: Black Veil Brides “Wretched and Divine- The Story of the Wild Ones”
• CD Review: A Sound of Thunder “Queen of Hell EP”

Face to Face
“Three Chords and Half a Truth”
Rise Records
Tracks: 12

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Legendary punk band Face to Face are back with a brand new studio album titled “Three Chords and Half a Truth”. The album is the bands first to be released via Rise Records and features 12 brand new songs by the Victorville, California natives. After being a band that was on again off again for a number of years it seems as though Face to Face are back in full form and the band’s latest release “Three Chords and Half a Truth” seems to be a testament to that.

This album’s picks up where the bands previous album “Laugh Now Laugh Later” left off. Tracks such as “Smokestacks and Skyscrapers” and “Bright Lights Go Down” have vintage elements of the band’s sound that are very reminiscent of punks mid nineties resurgence while tracks like “Jinxproof” and “Across State lines” show a level of progression found only in bands that have been around as long as Face to Face. Tight guitar riffs and catchy vocal passages are what you find in the latest release from Face to face. From casual listener to fanatical fan “Three Chords and Half a Truth” has a little something for everyone.

Track Listing:
1.) 123 Drop
2.) Welcome Back to Nothing
3.) Smokestacks and Skyscrapers
4.) Right as Rain
5.) First Step, Misstep
6.) Bright lights Go Down
7.) Paper Tigers with Teeth
8.) Flat Black
9.) Jinxproof
10.) Marked Men
11.) Three Chords and a Half Truth
12.) Across State Lines

Composer: Roque Baños
Label: La-La Land Records
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Tracks: 17
Running Time: 72 minutes

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

When it comes horror the scores to me are very important. Without a great score, the film could suffer from missed scare opportunities. For example, the score for the film “Insidious”, by the amazingly talented Joseph Bishara, is one of my favorite horror scores. When it came to the original “Evil Dead”, I was never a die-hard fan of the original score. The films, hell yes, but the score wasn’t too recognizable for me. Well what we get here is easily one of the best horror scores in recent years. It is also the first time in a long time that I have literally jumped when listening to a score and I am not shitting you. Whether or not you like remake, this score should be given as chance since it is fresh, original and very scary.

After listening to this score, I immediately wanted to know more about composer Roque Baños, since I wasn’t that familiar. He has composed for the film “The Machinist”, starring Christian Bale. He is now on my radar since he has created a very thrilling rollercoaster ride of a horror score and delivered something that is worthy have the title “Evil Dead”. Also I wanted to point out that if you have downloaded the CD digitally you are missing out since the actual CD release contains more than 25 additional minutes of music and it definitely worth it. This CD is over 70 minutes and one hell of a listening experience. I felt like that I needed to take a nap…but with the lights on.

The album starts off with a killer opener “I’ll Rip Out Your Soul”, which really gets your attention. I am not embarrassed to say it but it also made my ass jump off my chair when I was listening. In fact just from that I knew that I was going to be in love with the rest of the score. I love the use of sirens throughout as well, it is very scary and reminds me a lot of “Silent Hill”. There is also a lot of chanting, which always adds some great demonic feeling. “Get Me Out of Here” is another one of my favorite tracks. I could listen to it on loop for sure. “Abominations Rising” is gut wrenching and running at 7 minutes is what an exhausting track.

After listening to this score a few times and really getting into it. I also couldn’t help relating to the horror scores of Christopher Young as well. His score to “Drag Me to Hell” has a similar feel, which was also one of my favorites in recent years. But I have to admit that “Evil Dead” takes the cake and kicks that score in the balls. There are some many parts that will have you cringing since it is so intense, angry and loud. I can’t wait to see what Baños comes up with next since he now one of my favorite composers. And I owe him a thank you for giving me the need to sleep with the lights on.

Track Listing:
1. I’ll Rip Your Soul Out 4:50
2. Sad Memories 5:21
3. Don’t Say It, Don’t Write It, Don’t Hear It 4:42
4. Demon Possession (Extended) 4:21
5. Get Me Out Of Here 5:24
6. She Tried To Kill Me 2:31
7. He Won’t Let You Out 2:45
8. Bloody Kiss 2:23
9. Three Ways Of Saving Her Soul 4:02
10. Natalie Hunting 5:34
11. I’ll Do What I Gotta Do (Extended) 8:42
12. Come Back To Me 3:02
13. He’s Coming 3:21
14. Abominations Rising 6:58
15. The Pendant / Evil Tango 3:21
16. The Evil Dead Main Theme 1:41
17. Come Back To Me (Alternate) 2:01

Volbeat
“Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies”
Vertigo/Universal
Producer: Rob Caggiano
Tracks: 14

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

The Danish metal band Volbeat are back with a brand new full length studio album titled “Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies”. The album features 14 new tracks that were produced by former Anthrax guitarist Rob Caggiano. “Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies” is the groups 5^th studio album and the follow up release to the 2010 album “Beyond Hell/Above Heaven”.

I first heard Volbeat when I saw them open for Metallica on the “Death Magnetic” tour. The band had this sound that was part Social Distortion part Godsmack. The bands performance really blew me away and I instantly became a fan. “Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies” was an album that I really wanted to like however I think the band has drifted too far from their earlier sound which I loved. Each song on the album seems to feature a mix that is very layered and digital sounding. For me the album listens more like a pop/rock album than a metal album. Songs such as “Lola Montez” and “Cape of Our Hero” are perfect examples of this. Though there was an element of pop on the bands last album however it wasn’t as nearly prevalent.

Don’t get me wrong “Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies” is not a bad album per say. However it caught me a little off guard as I was not expecting such a fluffy, pop laced album. After a few listens through there were a few tracks such as “The Nameless One” and “Room 24” which features a guest appearance buy metal legend King Diamond that I could see myself listening to more than once but as a whole I was a little underwhelmed by the album.

Track Listing:

1.)    Let’s Shake Some Dust

2.)    Pearl Hart

3.)    The Nameless One

4.)    Dead But Rising

5.)    Cape of Our Hero

6.)    Room 24 (Featuring: King Diamond)

7.)    The Hangman’s Body Count

8.)    My Body

9.)    Lola Montez

10.)  Black Bart

11.)  Lonesome Rider

12.)  The Sinner Is You

13.)  Doc Holliday

14.)  Our Loved Ones

Performed by: Clint Eastwood, Garrison Keillor, Jimmy Buffett
Release Date: September 21, 2011
Label: Mailboat Records
Tracks: 27 – 14 Disc one / 13 Disc two

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Normally, I wouldn’t think that I would ever listen to a CD about Mark Twain’s life. This CD is being released by Mailboat Records, which is backed by Jimmy Buffett.  Yes, that is all I need to have in order to listen to a CD about Mark Twain. “Mark Twain: Words & Music” is a double-CD which tells the story of Twain’s life in spoken word and song. Voices on this project include Jimmy Buffett (as Huck Finn), Garrison Keillor (as the narrator), Clint Eastwood (as Mark Twain) and Angela Lovell (as Susy Clemens). Yes, I did mean that Clint Eastwood.

This is not just a typical spoke word album. There are perfect blend of 14 story segments with 13 corresponding songs performed by Emmylou Harris, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Rhonda Vincent, Bradley Walker, Carl Jackson, The Church Sisters, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley, Marty Raybon, Val Storey, Vince Gill, Joe Diffie, and Ricky Skaggs. Is that enough talent for you to handle on on CD? This project was produced by Grammy Award-winner Carl Jackson in order to benefit the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum in Hannibal, Missouri to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Twain’s death and 175th anniversary of his birth back in 2010.

This CD doesn’t just stop at the tracks on both discs, also includes is a very detailed 40-page linear notes included, which complements this album very well.  The liner notes are great and even include pictures of Twain along with the text. I recommend listening to the album and then checking out the book. If you are a history buff, this gives a unique approach to the life of one of our greatest scholars.  If you are a Jimmy Buffett fan, then you are going to love getting to hear him put his spin on Huck Finn, it is awesome. Clint Eastwood also channels his inner Dirty Harry once again for his role of Mark Twain. Lastly, if you are a fan of bluegrass/country music then you will definitely dig this.

Track Listing:
Disc 1
1. Hello yourself, and see how you like it… – Jimmy Buffett, Clint Eastwood, Garrison Keillor
2. When Halley Came To Jackson – Emmylou Harris
3. Hannibal, Missouri, where my boyhood was spent… – Garrison Keillor, Clint Eastwood, Jimmy Buffett
4. Better Times A’ Comin’ – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
5. He agreed to teach me the Mississippi River… – Garrison Keillor, Clint Eastwood, Jimmy Buffett
6. Run Mississippi – Rhonda Vincent
7. Several years of variegated vagabondizing… – Clint Eastwood, Garrison Keillor, Jimmy Buffett
8. A Cowboy In His Soul – Bradley Walker
9. It liberates the vandal to travel… – Garrison Keillor and Clint Eastwood
10. Safe Water – Carl Jackson
11. You ain’t ever to love anybody but me… – Garrison Keillor and Clint Eastwood
12. I Wandered By A Brookside – The Church Sisters
13. It was a mighty nice family… – Garrison Keillor, Clint Eastwood, Angela Love
14. Beautiful Dreamer – Sheryl Crow

Disc 2
1. Don’t scrunch up like that, Huckleberry… – Garrison Keillor, Clint Eastwood, Jimmy Buffett
2. Huck Finn Blues – Brad Paisley
3. The crows would gather on the railing and talk about me… – Garrison Keillor and Clint Eastwood
4. Huck Finn Blues – Marty Raybon
5. So wounded, so broken-hearted… – Garrison Keillor and Clint Eastwood
6. Love Is On Our Side – Val Storey
7. Wheresoever she was, there was Eden… – Garrison Keillor and Clint Eastwood
8. I Know You By Heart – Vince Gill
9. My concsience got to stiring me up hotter than ever… – Garrison Keillor, Clint Eastwood, Jimmy Buffett
10. Ink – Joe Diffie
11. The report of my death was an exaggeration… – Garrison Keillor, Clint Eastwood, Jimmy Buffett
12. Comet Ride – Ricky Skaggs
13. The truth, mainly… – Garrison Keillor and Jimmy Buffett

Michael Bublé
“To Be Loved”
Produced by: Bob Rock
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Label: Reprise Records
Tracks: 14
Running Time: 44 minutes

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Michael Bublé is a singer with a voice that just mesmerizes you with each word. There are very few singers around right now that have the class and presence that he has. His voice with big band behind him is a thing of beauty. This type of music is very rare in the age of “fixing it in the studio” crap that we are getting today. Michael’s voice on the album is what it sounds like it he was sitting right in your living room next to you. “To Be Loved” is his sixth official studio album and features 4 original songs, which are co-written by Bublé himself and 10 covers, which are new interpretation of classic songs. I am in love with this album and I foresee this being on my iPhone for many years to come (or at least until the next album).

The originals tracks are “After All” with Bryan Adams, “Got It Easy”, “Close Your Eyes” and “It’s A Beautiful Day”. All four tracks are absolutely amazing. I have to admit It’s A Beautiful Day” has this certain charm that gets me everytime. The classic covers are the Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody”, Dean Martin’s “Nevertheless (I’m In Love With You)” with The Puppini Sisters, The Miracles’ “Who’s Lovin’ You”, Jackie Wilson’s “To Be Loved”, Elvis Presley’s “Have I Told You Lately”, Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” from “Toy Story” and of course what is a Bublé album without some Frank Sinatra songs including “Young At Heart”, “You Make Me Feel So Young”, “Come Dance With Me and “Something Stupid”, which features Reese Witherspoon on vocals taking over for Nancy Sinatra.

What I love about this album most is that you are easily able to just get lost in the music. From the moment the album starts you find yourself immediately singing along and you don’t stop until ends. Even with the new tracks, they are so catchy and after a listen or track you will find that you already know them and can’t get them out of your head. If you are a fan of Bublé, you will not be disappointed at all. If you are new to his music, this would be an excellent way to get introduced. Now if we can only get Bublé can get his butt to Orlando, FL to tour, I will be a very happy camper!

Track Listing:
1. You Make Me Feel So Young
2. It’s A Beautiful Day
3. To Love Somebody
4. Who’s Lovin’ You
5. Something Stupid (feat. Reese Witherspoon)
6. Come Dance With Me
7. Close Your Eyes
8. After All (feat. Bryan Adams)
9. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You (with Naturally 7)
10. To Be Loved
11. You’ve Got A Friend In Me
12. Nevertheless (I’m In Love With You) [feat. The Puppini Sisters]
13. I Got It Easy
14. Young At Heart

Related Content

• CD Review: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas & Mark Stone “The Runaway Bunny, The Story of Babar and Goodnight Moon”
• CD Review: Alan Cumming “The Head that Wears a Crown”
• CD Review: Terror “Live By The Code”
• CD Review: Blake Shelton “Based on a True Story…”
• CD Review: Buckcherry “Confessions”

Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas & Mark Stone
“The Runaway Bunny, The Story of Babar and Goodnight Moon”
Label: GPR Records
Release Date: November 13, 2012

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Who doesn’t know about the classic books “The Runaway Bunny” and “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown and “The Story of Babar” by Francis Poulenc. These are not new stories in fact they are all from the 1940’s. “Goodnight Moon” is from 1947. “The Runaway Bunny” is  from 1942. And “The Story of Babar” or aka “L’Histoire de Babar” dates back to 1945. These stories are still very timeless and a must read for any child before bed or anytime, in fact. In case you are wondering, this is not a your typical straight forward audio book. These books are read alongside new classical music interpretations of the these stories. If you are a fan of classic music and timeless stories, this would make a wonderful addition to your collection. I can see this CD being a must-listen with my daughter as she grows up.

So what makes this CD special is that Oscar winners Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas are reading two of these three books along with the wonderful musical compositions besides them. Catherine Zeta-Jones narrates “The Runaway Bunny” along with music by Glen Roven and performed by the Piano Trio Version with Trio 21. Michael Douglas lends his voice to the beloved story of “The History of Babar”, which is backed with a score by Francis Poulenc and Jason Worth on the piano. These performances are very well acted and gives the stories great delivery. Lastly but not least is “Goodnight Moon”, which is a story I have become very familiar with as a new parent.  It is sung by English Baritone Mark Stone along with the GPR Festival Choir. This release is very well done and entertaining.  It is also a great way to not only make these stories more interesting but also introduce your children to the world of very fine classical music.

Alan Cumming
“The Head that Wears a Crown”
Publisher: GPR Records
Spoken Word
Release Date: April 30, 2013

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I have been a huge fan of Alan Cumming for as long as I can remember. I can still recall the day I saw him (and met him) on Broadway for the first time dating back to “Design for Living” in 2001. He has such a wonderful presence about himself. When he speaks his lines, they come with such delivery and purpose. It does help that he also has a bitchin’ Scottish accent. So what is better than having the internationally acclaimed actor and Tony Award Winner to do a spoken word CD of the “best of” works of Shakespeare. These monologues include 22 of Shakespeare’s most well-known and loved moments. Alan is no stranger to Shakespeare having starred in Julie Taymor’s film version of “Titus Andronicus” and also his one-man show of “Macbeth”, which he currently stars on Broadway. He delivers Shakespeare’s words so flawlessly and with such force that he knocks it out of the park track after track.

“The Head that Wears a Crown” is subtitled as “Speeches For Royal Men By William Shakespeare”. Some of the classic Royal speeches included are, “To be or not to be” from “Hamlet”; “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow” from “Macbeth” and “Now is the winter of our discontent ” from “Richard III” and many more. The speech were specifically chosen by Alan Cumming himself. The only main issue I had with the album is that there is no announcement between tracks. I mean that unless you are watching the track list very carefully or have every single one of these speeches memorized, they kind of spill all together. I think this would have been a perfect release if there was a title card before each track began so you can get a better grasp. Obviously this is not the kind of album that you will blast going down the highway, if you are looking for that check out Cumming’s last album “I Bought A Blue Car Today”, but it would be a must listen for any lover of Shakespeare, the fine arts or ”Glee” fan. “Shine, I’ll stand by you”…Mr. Cumming.

Track Listing:
1. “O for a Muse of fire” (HENRY V)
2. “Now is the winter of our discontent” (RICHARD III)
3. “You common cry of curs!” (CORIOLANUS)
4. “I have been studying how I may compare This prison” (RICHARD II)
5. “Look here, upon this picture” (HAMLET)
6. “Mad world! mad kings! mad composition!” (KING JOHN)
7. “If it were done when ’tis done” (MACBETH)
8. “Go call the Earls of Surrey and of Warwick;” (HENRY IV Part 2)
9. “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;” (HENRY V)
10. “To be, or not to be: that is the question;” (HAMLET)
11. “What must the king do now?” (RICHARD II)
12. “Methinks I am a prophet new inspired” (RICHARD II)
13. “Why, lords, what wrongs are these!” (TITUS ANDRONICUS)
14. “O that this too too sullied flesh would melt,” (HAMLET)
15. “Now, my co-mates and brothers in exile,” (AS YOU LIKE IT)
16. “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,” (MACBETH)
17. “What’s he that wishes so?” (HENRY V)
18. “Hear, Nature, hear!” (KING LEAR)
19. “How all occasions do inform against me,” (HAMLET)
20. “Let me speak, sir,” (HENRY VIII)
21. “If music be the food of love, play on;” (TWELFTH NIGHT)
22. “Now my charms are all o’erthrown,” (THE TEMPEST)

Newsted
“Metal” EP
Chophouse Records
Producer: Jason Newsted
Tracks: 4

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Jason Newsted the former bassist for heavy metal legends Metallica has released his debut solo EP titled “Metal”. The EP features 4 brand new tracks written by Newsted who handles bass/guitar and vocal duties along with drummer Jesus Mendez Jr. and guitarist/bassist Jessie Farnsworth. The EP is being released via Newsted Chop House Records and was also produced by Jason. If “Metal” is just a taste of what’s in-store from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jason Newsted then I can’t wait to hear what’s next.

All four tracks featured on “Metal” are blistering rock tunes over flowing with Motorhead like grit. The Ep’s opening track “Soldierhead” puts the pedal to the floor and doesn’t look back while the track “King of the Underdogs” snakes its way in and out of edgy breakdowns and catchy lyrical passages. Fans of metal and hard rock will definitely want to pick up the “Metal” EP to hold them over until the LP version of the album is available and with the recent addition of Staind guitarist Mike Mushok, Newsted are sure to be a force to reckon with.

Track Listing:
1.) Soldierhead
2.) Godsnake
3.) King of the Underdogs
4.) Skyscraper

Related Content

• CD Review: Burn The Priest “Legion: XX”
• CD Review: “This is Jerry Pearce”
• CD Review: Reggie and the Full Effect “41”
• CD Review: Revolve “The Road to Here”
• CD Review: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes “Rake It In: The Greatestest Hits”

Skid Row
“United World Rebellion- Chapter One” EP
Megaforce Records
Tracks: 5

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Skid Row is back with their first new studio release in 7 years titled “United World Rebellion- Chapter One”. The EP features 5 new songs from the band who once dominated the charts with hits such as “18 and Life”, “Youth Gone Wild” and “I Remember You”. “United World Rebellion- Chapter One” is the bands first release since signing to Megaforce Records earlier this year and is the follow up release to the 2006 album titled “Revolutions Per Minute”.

Though the band may look a little different these days their style and attitude remains the same. Blistering guitars and razor sharp vocals blast your ears relentlessly over the EP’s 5 tracks. Vocalist Johnny Solinger who joined the group in 1999 stays true to the original sound of Skid Row while adding his own southern flare. Original members Dave “Snake” Sabo, Scottie Hill and Rachel Boland provide the complementary instrumentation while the bands newest member drummer Rob Hammersmith provides a steady back beat acting as the proverbial icing on the cake. Songs such as “Kings of Demolition” and “Get Up” are stand alone rockers while the country tinged “This Is Killing Me” slows things down a bit and gently tugs at your heart strings. Though not as strong as some of the bands other recent releases “United World Rebellion- Chapter One” is a good start and with the band planning to release a couple more EP’s later this year listeners will definitely want to start with a copy of “United World Rebellion- Chapter One”.

Track Listing:
1.) Kings of Demolition
2.) Let’s Go
3.) This Is Killing Me
4.) Get Up
5.) Stitches

Terror
“Live By The Code”
Victory Records
Tracks: 11

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

The Los Angeles based hardcore band Terror are back with a brand new full length album titled “Live By The Code” The album features 11 bombastic tracks that are sure to whip even the most docile listener into a rabid frenzy. “Live By The Code” is the follow up release to the bands 2012 album “No Regrets, No Shame”. This album also marks the first release by the band since signing to legendary hardcore label Victory Records.

Honest and in your face Terror pulls no punches with their latest release. All 11 tracks contained on “Live By The Code” have everything I love about hardcore. Ripping vocals and chunky riff heavy guitar lines that made it hard to pick which songs were my favorite being they are all just so good! From the opening song “The Most High” which recounts vocalist Scott Vogel’s discovery of hardcore music to the thunderous “Hard Lessons” to the albums closing track “One Blood” which is anthem like in its approach you just couldn’t ask for anything better.

Mid 90’s angst with a refreshing musical take that grabbed me from the start. “Live By The Code” is the bands strongest album to date. The partnership between the band and Victory Records seems to be just what the band needed to take their sound to the next level. Even the most fringe hardcore listener will want to do themselves a favor and pick up a copy of this album!

Track Listing:
1.) The Most High
2.) Not Impressed
3.) Cold Truth
4.) I’m Only Stronger
5.) Live By The Code
6.) The Good Die Young
7.) Shot of Reality
8.) Hard Lessons
9.) Invasion
10.) Nothing In Your Hand
11.) One Blood

Sevendust
“Black Out The Sun”
7Bros Records
Producer: Morgan Rose, Clint Lowery
Tracks: 13

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Sevendust are back with a brand new full length album titled “Black Out The Sun”. This is the bands 9th studio album and the follow up to the bands 2010 release “Cold Day Memory” which debuted at #12 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. “Black Out The Sun” was produced by Morgan Rose and Clint Lowery and is also being released via their own label 7Bros Records. A much darker sounding and heavier hitting album than we have heard from Sevendust in the past.

From the word go “Black Out The Sun” repeatedly puts your senses through a meat grinder. Songs such as “Cold As War” and “Dead Roses” feature Lajon Witherspoon’s signature melodic meets gruff vocal style backed by the always impressive instrumental section of Morgan Rose, Clint Lowery, Vince Hornsby and John Connolly. While songs like “Till Death” and the album’s first single “Decay” kick things up a notch before being slowed down by the soulful acoustic/electric number “Got a Feeling”.

“Black Out the Sun” does a great job covering a lot of musical ground while still staying true to the sound that made the band what they are today. The album features straight forward production and mixes which sonically make for a good listen. Both new found fans and long time Sevendust listeners will want to bring home a copy of “Black Out The Sun”.

Track Listing:
1.) Memory
2.) Faithless
3.) Till Death
4.) Mountain
5.) Cold as War
6.) Black Out the Sun
7.) Nobody Wants It
8.) Dead Roses
9.) Decay
10.) Dark AM
11.) Picture Perfect
12.) Got a Feeling
13.) Murder Bar

Related Content

• CD Review: Oleander “Something Beautiful”
• CD Review: Brad Paisley “Wheelhouse”
• CD Review: Close to Home “Momentum”
• CD Review: Yes “In The Present- Live From Lyon”
• CD Review: Knight Area “Nine Paths”

Oleander
“Something Beautiful”
Carved Records
Tracks: 11

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

The mid 90’s post-grunge group Oleander is back with their first new album in 10 years. “Something Beautiful” features 11 new tracks by the band that first burst on to the scene with the hit single “Why I’m Here” off the album titled “February Son”. “Something Beautiful” is the first release from the band since signing to Carved Records and is the follow up release to the album “Joy Ride” which was released in 2003.

When a band steps out of the public eye for an extended amount of time it can often be hard to pull things back together and reemerge as the act they once were. In the case of Oleander they not only still sound great but they sound even better! Each of the 11 tracks on “Something Beautiful” seems to be on the verge of being a hit. Vocalist Thomas Flowers, bassist Doug Eldridge, rhythm guitarist Ric Ivanisevich, drummer Steve Brown and lead guitarist Rich Mouser are all certainly at the top of their game on this recording. With catchy radio friendly songs like “Something Beautiful” and “Until It’s Over” to edgier songs such as “Bulletproof” and “Never Too Late” the band does a great job including a little something for everyone.

Some bands find long periods time off between albums detrimental to their careers however Oleander seem to be like a fine wine that only gets better with age. “Something Beautiful” is not only accessible to first time listeners but will take long time Oleander fans back to their teens when they first discovered the band.

Track Listing:
1.) Fight
2.) Something Beautiful
3.) Bulletproof
4.) Until It’s Over
5.) Never Too Late
6.) Save The Best
7.) Save Me
8.) You Are the One
9.) Daylight
10.) Second Best Wishes
11.) Where Do We Go From Here
12.) How Do We Say Goodbye

Brad Paisley
“Wheelhouse”
Release Date: April 9, 2013
Label: Sony Nashville/Arista
Tracks: 17
Running Time: 63 minutes

Our Score: 2 out of 5 stars

I can’t believe I am about to say this but I really hated this album. I was a huge fan of “This is Country Music”. I mean there was hit after hit, ranging from the title track “This Is Country Music” to “Old Alabama” to “Remind Me” and “Camouflage”…only to name a few. Those are some amazing songs. I really had a hard time even finishing this album one time through. I feel Brad Paisley completely changed his sound and I have no idea why he would want to do that. After winning three GRAMMYs®, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards and 14 Country Music Association Awards including Entertainer of the Year, I understand taking a risk but this is too much for me. There is not one track on the album that I remotely enjoyed.

“Wheelhouse” is also the first time that Brad produced once of his own albums. The first single “Southern Comfort Zone” is a hit on the charts but I have to tell you I almost found myself skipping it. Don’t think that I am not a country fan because I love me some country in fact, I can’t stop listening to Blake Shelton’s new album. That right there is an album that is hit after hit after hit. Every song is gold. One thing this album does have is a shit load of guest stars including Dierks Bentley and Roger Miller with Hunter Hayes on guitar on “Outstanding In Our Field”.Charlie Daniels on “Karate”, Eric Idle on “Death of a Married Man” and LL Cool J on Accidental Racist, which is the worst track on the whole record. Sadly all that talent cannot assist Paisley is scoring a hit album.

Track Listing:
1. Bon Voyage
2. Southern Comfort Zone
3. Beat This Summer
4. Outstanding In Our Field (Featuring. Dierks Bentley and Roger Miller)
5. Pressing On A Bruise (Featuring Mat Kearney)
6. I Can’t Change The World
7. Onryo
8. Karate (Featuring Charlie Daniels)
9. Death of a Married Man (Featuring Eric Idle)
10. Harvey Bodine
11. Tin Can On A String
12. Death Of A Single Man
13. The Mona Lisa
14. Accidental Racist (Featuring LL Cool J)
15. Runaway Train
16. Those Crazy Christians
17. Officially Alive

A Sound of Thunder
“Time’s Arrow”
Mad Neptune Records
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Tracks: 11
Running Time: 65 minutes

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Holy shit! Those are the first words that came through my head when listening to this album. “Time’s Arrow” is A Sound of Thunder’s third full-length album.  I was a huge fan of 2012’s “Out of the Darkness” and this year’s “Queen of Hell EP” but this one really raised the bar again! The band in the last two years have quickly become one of my favorite metal bands in the business. There music is heavy, original and very well-written.  Each song is unique and yet still fits perfectly as a whole into the album.  If you haven’t heard of the band, this would be an perfect way to get introduce and I guarantee you will become an instant fan for life!

Guitarist and composer Josh Schwartz is absolutely insane on this album and really gives his all into each track. Frontwoman Nina Osegueda has never sounded better.  Between you and me, I am usually not a fan of female lead metal bands, don’t hate me, but goddamn from the first time I heard her voice on “Out of the Darkness”, I couldn’t stop listening.  On this album, she is fierce and really just nails it with song after song. What I like about this band as a whole is that they have range.  They definitely know how to bring the metal, get those devil horns ready, but on this album they also explore other genres with the classic rock-inspired “End of the Road” or the space-rock tribute “Reign of the Hawklords”.  These tracks just show how diverse this band is and how they are going to become one of the top bands in the business.

I have to say it is rare when you find an album that you literally love every song but this is definitely one of those albums.  Let me focus on the title track for a minute, “Time’s Arrow”.  This song is nearly 10 minutes long and it is easily one of the most epic tracks that I have heard in the recent years! It is heavy and also well-paced.  When you are listening to a 10 minute you expect the song to feel like a 10 minute song. That doesn’t happen with this track, you go off on this journey and it literally just drags you along like a cartoon character being dragged through mid-air by the smell of food. Sorry I watch a lot of cartoons. METAL! Anyway, this track really shows that this band packs a lot talent, since a 10 minute track is not easy to pull off. I can’t wait to see this performed live, it should be extremely epic!

Another aspect of this this album that I love is that “Time’s Arrow” is released by Mad Neptune Records, which is the band’s own record label that was just started for this release. This just shows that the music comes first for this band and they would rather not sell out to some big label and have their sound molded into “what the label thinks we want to here”.  This takes balls and the band sure down how a lot of that, sorry Nina – you still rule! Trust me, take out the 65 minutes and listen to “Time’s Arrow”.  It is one of those albums that when you hear it you will be unable to speak until there is a break in the track.  Yes it is that epic!

Track Listing:
1. Power Play
2. Time’s Arrow
3. I Will Not Break
4. Broken Bridge
5. Queen of Hell
6. Let’s Start A Fire
7. I’ll Walk With You
8. My Disease (featuring Blaze Bayley)
9. Wastelands
10. End Of The Road
11. Reign Of The Hawklords