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

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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)

Jason Newsted’s body of work reads like a who’s who of hard rock and metal acts but he is most widely recognized as a former member of Metallica who along with Newsted were inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. Jason’s newest project simply titled “Newsted” released their debut EP in January of this year and is set to hit the road in support of the release this month. Media Mikes had the pleasure of speaking with Jason recently about the EP, the recent addition of Staind guitarist Mike Mushok and if he really is the new lead singer of Slayer.

Adam Lawton: You have worked with a number of amazing artists and bands. Was doing a self tilted project something that was always in the back of your mind or was it a more recent thought?
Jason Newsted: I have been doing projects for a long, long time. My studio Chop House has been going now for about 21 years. Over that time I have had the privilege of playing with lots of people. During some of those sessions we took things further like with Echobrain and Papa Wheelie where we actually released material to the fans. “Newsted” is a much different project than those in the past. I never had a thought of putting my name on a band but it was something that just sort of transpired. I am now quite happy that it turned out that way. Things really came out of doing a few shows with Papa Wheelie where I had a lot of fun just singing and playing. From there I went and did the 30^th anniversary shows with Metallica and that lit my fire in a big way. I was completely overwhelmed by the reception I received from the fans as it was not something I had expected. I have certainly heard the crowds cheer a few times over the years but this was fucking overwhelming! I realized then that music was what I should be doing. I had never really stopped creating art and music but those performances really got the fire going again. About 5 or 6 weeks later I got together with the original line up of Flotsam and Jetsam and we did some weekend shows. We just kept looking at each other in disbelief as we all were still alive and smiling. 31 years later we were all still rocking stuff we hadn’t played in ages. That was a lot of fun and gave me time to sort of exercise my options and see who would be the best fit for me to chase things with again. The Flotsam thing was cool however logistically it wasn’t going to work out. I had been playing with Jesus Mendez Jr. and Jessie Farnsworth for about 5 years prior and we had quite a few chops under our belt and I really took pride in those guys. I ended up writing a bunch of songs from top to bottom with my IPad and then sent them out to my boys. They brought those songs back and that is sort of what you hear on the EP. We started off as a power trio and since recording those first 4 songs Mike Mushok of Staind joined the band and now we are a 4 piece. Mike has been in the band for about 7 weeks and we have already completed our LP. We will be delivering 13 songs to the record company in a few weeks and starting this Friday we have a bunch of shows lined up that will take us to 17 different countries.

AL: How was it that Mike was asked to join the band?
JN: Everything with this band has been very positive and because of that good things keep happening to us. Mike came recommended from a few people who I really have a lot of respect for in the business. I had been putting together a short list of people who I wanted to audition and I definitely had an idea of who I wanted in the band. I was looking for someone who was a hard working, honest and an accomplished musician. This band was not something I had to do. I could have just stayed at home and sat on the porch all day. I am doing this because it is something I want to do and it is something the people want me to do.

AL: What have you done to get yourself back in to the mind set of going out on the road again?
JN: Physically you have train like you would for a marathon as that’s what life on the road is like. Being the front man now I am fulfilling a lot of new roles. I now am not just playing bass but I have a bunch of other stuff going on that I must do on the stage. That part of things is both exciting and challenging for me. Mentally the thing that is getting the best of me now is the thought of being away from my wife. We just got married 6 months ago and things are still very fresh. To have to leave her now is kind of fucked up. Before I may have just had a cat or a dog so the only thing that was on my mind was just going for it. Nothing came before the band or the music and I had gotten used to that thought process. Things are a little bit different now with the new responsibilities I have. Plus I have grown up a little bit. Not much but a little. I’m looking forward to getting back out there and being able to see everyone.

AL: What has been the biggest change for you since stepping in to the front man position?
JN: I have to do so much micro managing now. I like to be in control like everyone does but in the big band there were two very serious control freaks. In that situation I just assumed my role as the dude who was the live guy/people person who took it to the fans. In the new band I am responsible for everything. From booking hotels and travel arrangements to making sure I am represented in the media correctly. I am responsible for all of that. How I am represented when I am not around is very important to me. This is a really giant thing for me so the people I have put together to help me are still learning how I work and how I want things done. Hopefully in a year or so I will be able to step back from a few of these roles and let those people take over a little bit. In Metallica I never knew about all the detail stuff as there were tons of people handling that stuff. Things are considerably different these days and there are a lot more roles to handle other than just having my name on the thing and being the lead guy.

AL: What type of creative process have you taken on the material that has been recorded thus far?
JN: All of the seeds are mine. The skeletons of the songs were all created on my IPad with the Garage Band app. I build everything and then give it to my boys. They will bring it back and then we all work on it collectively. This newest batch of songs Mike got to work on from the inception. It has been equal parts all the way around and everyone puts in everything they have.

AL: Can you tell us about the first group of tour dates the band has booked?
JN: The first batch of 14 shows is to bust the rust off and to help the band get warmed up. We want to get things together in front of our core audience before we take things to the big stages over in Europe. Anybody who gets to see one of these 14 shows will be very lucky. I would love to be playing and watching from the crowd if I could. These shows are going to be really fun. After these 14 shows in smaller venues we go to playing Sonisphere and gigs like that. We are hitting all the big shit so we have to get ready. (Laughs)

AL: Has there been any talks of performing at the Orion Festival this year?
JN: Not this year. We will be in the middle of France during that time. I would really like to get firing on all cylinders and then some before doing something like that. If we ever get the chance to do something with Metallica I want to make sure that I am ready to fire it off. I want to be strong! I would like to have 90 shows or more under my belt before playing with those guys. I have something to prove in that way. If those guys ever notice that I have this going on and they decide to listen to it for a minute or two I want them to take notice. That’s not a vengeful thing it’s a brotherly thing that I want them to know I am alive and well.

AL: In the past year or so you have started appearing off and on with Metallica. How did those communication lines re-open allowing for you guys to work together again?
JN: We are still business partners for the rest of our lives. We all worked together to create this giant thing together. As far as talking on the phone together that’s something that won’t happen and never did happen. When I was in the band I think I may have talked to Hetfield on the phone 10 times in 15 years. Talking on the phone is something that just doesn’t happen. I talked to Lars way more than that as we had a different line of communication. As of right now we aren’t really talking. We sort of get our information about each other and our families through different people.  I am more interested in how their families are doing and that type of stuff. We are probably better friends now than we have ever been. Everyone is very chill and sort of found their place. Things are all good.

AL: What type of reservations did you have when it was first mentioned about appearing with them again?
JN: At first I had thought I would just get up there and play a few songs and then Robert would come up and play some new stuff with them but when I heard that we would both be up there playing together I wasn’t really in to the idea but, things did work out. For me things were only sour in the very beginning. Maybe the first 4-6 months of sour and then I got so busy with my own stuff. 12 years have now passed and we both are doing great. I feel I did the right thing and made a serious sacrifice in order for everything to continue. I hope someday those guys will realize that my sacrifice was for Metallica to remain in the world. I am thankful for the opportunity I was given and I will always be supportive of them.

AL: Can you put any of the claims made to rest about you replacing Slayer front man/bassist Tom Araya?
JN: (Laughs) That is something that was so funny. I had fans and friends coming up to me the day after that was announced cheering me on and congratulating me. I had no idea what was going on. We are doing some shows with Slayer in Europe so I thought they were just excited that we were going to be on the same bill. Then I find out that they thought I was actually joining Slayer. This all started because some of our fans think our drummer Jesus looks like Tom. So then it turned in to me leaving my band to front Slayer because Tom left Slayer to drum for my band. (Laughs) It’s fucking awesome!

Click here for Jason’s official website

Newsted Tour Dates:

4/19 & 4/20 Walnut Creek, CA @ Red House

4/23  San Jose, CA @ San Jose Rock Shop

4/24  Fresno, CA @ The Starline

4/26  Sparks, NV @ The Alley

4/27  Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades

5/1  Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy

5/3  Las Vegas, NV @ Vinyl

5/4  Mesa, AZ @  KUPD Ufiesta / Quail Run Park

5/15 Battle Creek, MI @ Planet Rock (w/ Wilson)

5/17 Pontiac, MI @ The Crofoot (w/ Wilson)

5/18 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge (w/ Wilson)

5/21 New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom

5/22 Cambridge, MA @ The Middle East Downstairs (w/ Wilson)

5/23 Asbury Park, NJ @ The Stone Pony (w/Wilson)

Also be sure to check out our review of Jason’s EP titled “Metal”

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

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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

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EACH WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!

To celebrate the release of Heave & Earth’s latest album “Dig”, Media Mikes would like to giveaway TWO SIGNED CDS and a VINYL of the album. If you would like to enter for your chance to win one of these great prizes, please leave us a comment below or send us an email indicating what is your favorite Heaven & Earth song? This giveaway will remain open until May 3rd at Noon, Eastern Time. This is open to all fans of Media Mikes, worldwide!! One entry per person, per household. All other entries will be considered invalid. Media Mikes will randomly select winners. Winners will be alerted via email.

Heaven & Earth have just released their official video for the single “No Money, No Love”. The video features performance footage of the band, along with an old Hotel packed with a motley crew of midgets, magicians, and scantily clad temptresses. The video was directed by acclaimed photographer Glen Wexler, who has worked with Van Halen, Black Sabbath, and Michael Jackson.

“No Money, No Love” is featured on the band’s forthcoming studio album ‘Dig’, which is available April 23rd on Quarto Valley Records. The album was produced by Dave Jenkins, who’s worked with everyone from Metallica to Tower of Power – and features special guests Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers), Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi), and David Paich (Toto).

The track listing for ‘Dig’ is as follows:
1. Victorious
2. No Money, No Love
3. I Don’t Know What Love Is
4. Man & Machine
5. House of Blues
6. Back in Anger
7. Waiting for the End of The World
8. Sexual Insanity
9. Rock & Roll Does
10. A Day Like Today
11. Good Times
12. Live as One

To stay current on all things Heaven & Earth be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Official Site: www.heavenandearthband.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/officialheavenandearth
Twitter: www.twitter.com/heavenearthband

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

Trenton, New Jersey metalcore mainstays BEYOND DISHONOR have released a music video for their first single, entitled “Heisenberg”. The song comes off the band’s upcoming EP, “Generations”, set to drop in June.

Any fan of the hit television drama “Breaking Bad” will immediately recognize that “Heisenberg” is a tribute to the popular show — complete with yellow meth lab suits, greasy cigar-smoking drug kingpins, shady factory laboratories galore and more. Click on the link below to check out the official full length video

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

Eddie Jackson is the bassist and a founding member of the progressive metal group Queensrÿche. In the past year, the group parted ways with original singer Geoff Tate and brought in former Crimson Glory front man Todd La Torre to fill the vacant spot. The band sounds better than ever and Media Mikes had the chance to talk with Eddie recently about the split and the group’s upcoming album.

Adam Lawton: Can you clear up any misconceptions from the past year about the two different versions of Queensrÿche going around?
Eddie Jackson: There are currently two bands out there. Geoff has his version of the band and Michael Wilton, Scott Rockenfield and I have our own version of the band. We are just focusing on us and moving forward. We want to keep doing what we are doing and that is playing music and performing live. The transition away from Geoff as the lead singer was something that Michael, Scotty and I felt needed to happen.

AL: How has the band been received since the change was made?
EJ: Fans have been enjoying it and have really embraced Todd. We have enjoyed welcoming him in to our family. Fans have been very receptive and have enjoyed hearing some of the older material that we are now able to perform. With Todd’s vocal style he is able to sing and perform stuff from albums like “Rage For Order” and “Operation Mind Crime”. Things are going really great. We think it’s been great having fans connect with Todd.

AL: What has it been like revisiting that older material in a live setting?
EJ: It’s interesting. One of Todd’s favorite albums is “The Warning”. Going back and playing some of that stuff has been really fun. It may have taken us a few practices to relearn some of that older material but it’s refreshing. We have been having a lot of fun with everything.

AL:Can you give us an update on the new album?AL: What led to the band signing recently with Century Media Records?
EJ: It was kind of a mutual thing between the band and Century Media. We collectively sat down and we both wanted to create a new relationship. So far they have been a class act and we are very happy to be working with them.

EJ: The new album will be released on June 11^th. We are all looking forward to having the fans check it out. Things are pretty much completed but we are still tweaking some things here and there. It has been nice working with James “Jimbo” Barton again. We have a great relationship with him from the past and we wanted to put out an album that captured the style of our previous albums. James was a blast and our first day back together was like no time had passed.

AL: What type of creative process did you take towards the new album?
EJ: We all sort of came in with our own pieces. There may have been a song or two that was already written but for the most part it was a collective effort. Todd is a great musician that not only sings but he plays drums and guitar. We all just threw out ideas and began working on the ones that we thought were the best and fit our style the most. When you can sit down and talk through what you are going to be working on it makes things a lot easier. We haven’t been able to do something like that in quite awhile.

AL: Can you tell us about the first single off the album?
EJ: The song is titled “Redemption” and it was released a few weeks ago. Stylistically this felt like the first song that we should release. This song was the one that we all thought would most identify with what the band is doing now.

AL: What types of tour plans are in the works to support the new album?
EJ: We have some US dates in the works right now. We also will be performing over in Europe and are working to get to a few other countries. We are going to be very busy this year and we are looking forward to it.

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