MYLES KENNEDY to Release Sophomore Solo Album, The Ides Of March, on May 14, 2021 via Napalm Records

Pre-Order HERE

Watch the Official Video for Debut Single “In Stride” HERE

Never a musician to waste any precious time, Alter Bridge and Slash and the Conspirators vocalist MYLES KENNEDY used the recent pandemic downtime to finalize his sophomore solo album. The finished result is the exciting new offering, The Ides Of March, which incorporates Myles’ love of rock, blues and country and is slated for release on May 14, 2021 via Napalm Records.

During his time at home due to all touring being canceled, Myles created the framework for the song ideas that would make up The Ides Of MarchHe then called up his cohorts from his Year Of The Tiger debut – longtime friend and drummer Zia Uddin and bassist/manager Tim Tournier – and the three musicians drove to Florida to record the album with longtime producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette. From the slide guitar riffs of the album opener “Get Along” to the pensive blues style of closer “Worried Mind,” it is clear that Myles has crafted a formidable follow up to his debut solo album. While Year Of The Tiger was more of an acoustic exploration through Myles’ mind, The Ides Of March finds him strapping on his electric guitar and pushing himself as a guitarist/songwriter. Tracks like “A Thousand Words,” “Wake Me When It’s Over” and “Moonshot” showcase the diverse musical arrangements that have garnered Myles fans globally across all of his projects. The epic “The Ides Of March” clocks in at over seven minutes, and Myles, Tim and Zia showcase their musical chops on the track.

The first single, “In Stride”, opens with Myles showcasing his slide playing before delivering a lyrical message to “take it all in stride.” The video for “In Stride” marks a return by Stefano Bertelli (who created the recent “Native Son” video for Alter Bridge) and shows an animated Myles as he takes the end of the world in stride.

“Chill out. That pretty much sums it up,” explains MYLES KENNEDY about the single. “The lyric paints a picture of a survivalist preparing for an impending zombie apocalypse. It was inspired by the first wave of lockdowns as everyone was buying vast amounts of toilet paper and supplies. I started to ask myself if it might be wise to try and gain some perspective and not overreact… keep calm and carry on.”
Watch the music video for “In Stride” HERE:

Pre-Order The Ides Of March HERE

The Ides Of March tracklisting:1) Get Along                           
2) A Thousand Words
3) In Stride
4) The Ides of March
5) Wake Me When It’s Over
6) Love Rain Down
7) Tell It Like It Is
8) Moonshot
9) Wanderlust Begins
10) Sifting Through The Fire
11) Worried Mind

The Ides Of March will be available in the following formats:
– Digital Album
– 1 CD Jewel Case
– 1 CD Digipack (Napalm mailorder, limited to 500 worldwide)
– 2 LP Gatefold Black Vinyl
– 2 LP Gatefold Gray Vinyl 
– 2 LP Gatefold Bottle Green Transparent Vinyl (Napalm mailorder, limited to 400 worldwide)
– Die Hard Limited Edition: 2 LP Gatefold Clear Splatter Mint/Violet/White Vinyl + Aluminum Print (Napalm mailorder, limited to 300 worldwide)
– Limited Deluxe Box: Glow In The Dark Vinyl + Cover Artprint + 7” Glow In The Dark “A Thousand Words” Vinyl Demo Single + Pendant + Slipmat (Napalm mailorder, limited to 700 worldwide)

DVD Review “The Ides of March”

Directed by: George Clooney
Starring: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Jeffrey Wright, Evan Rachel Wood
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
MPAA Rating: R
Running time: 101 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Normally, I stay far away from political dramas but this drew me in with its one hell of a powerful cast. George Clooney not only co-stars he directs, produces and co-wrote this film. Ryan Gosling continues to take over the world of acting. Paul Giamatti also gives a great performance and has great execution on his lines. Which brings me to discuss the dialogue in the film.  It is so sharp and leaves you hanging on every next word. The pacing of the film is also so fast yet very precise and well planned. This is a must to check out for sure if you haven’t already.

The story follows Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling), the Junior Campaign Manager, who is working with for Mike Morris (George Clooney), Governor of Pennsylvania, as they are campaigning to win the preliminaries for Ohio and secure the candidacy for the Democratic party. Of course in any political race there is lies, deceit and cover-ups. All that and more is included in this story and it asks the question: How much are you will to give up to win and how far are you looking to go?

The special features are a decent overall are are mostly saved by a strong commentary track from George Clooney and co-writer/co-producer Grant Heslov. It is a great companion to the film as they discuss the making-of elements of the film. Definitely enjoyable. Next up, the feature “Believe: George Clooney” features Clooney talking about wearing all the different hates on this production. Lastly “On the Campaign: The Cast of The Ides of March” is a short discussion with the actors in the film about the film and their roles. Even though the extras are short they still leave you mostly satisfied. Though in case you are looking for more the Blu-ray release contains more extras than the DVD.

Film Review “The Ides of March”

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman and George Clooney
Directed by: George Clooney
Rated: R
Running time: 1 hour 41 mins
Columbia

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

There’s something about getting emotionally connected to the candidate in a political thriller that always leaves me a little sad at the end. No matter who it is. Willie Stark (played brilliantly by Broderick Crawford and, in the 2006 remake, by Sean Penn) in “All the Kings Men,” Bill McKay (Robert Redford) in “The Candidate” or even Jack Stanton (John Travolta as a slightly veiled Bill Clinton) in “Primary Colors”…they always turn out to be human. You can now add to the above list the name of Mike Morris.

As the Ohio Democratic Primary approaches, there are clearly only two men with a chance to win. The one we’re following is Pennsylvania Governor Mike Morris (Clooney). Well spoken and charismatic, he has made a believer out of junior campaign director Stephen Myers. Not only does he like Morris’ ideas, he thinks of him as a friend. “Would you rather work for a friend or work for the president,” he’s asked. In his mind, Stephen is doing both. However, as is often the case, the so-called “perfect” candidate is anything but.

Based on the “Farragut North” by Beau Willimon and adapted for the screen by Willimon, Clooney and Grant Heslov, “The Ides of March” smartly signals to filmgoers that “serious” movie time has arrived. With a perfect cast…the first five actors on screen have a combined eleven Oscar nominations for acting and three Academy Awards…the film is an unabashed look at the prices those who run for public office must pay. No matter how noble ones ideas are, they will always be forgotten and replaced by the next noble idea. As campaign upon campaign begin to take their toll on those involved, it’s up to Stephen to decide whether or not he backs the candidate who runs on “INTEGRITY” but sadly doesn’t know what it is.

As I noted, the cast is outstanding, with Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei and Jeffrey Wright joining those highlighted earlier. Gosling, who I felt was mis-cast in “Drive,” is well cast here, as is Evan Rachel Wood, an intern helping work the campaign. Clooney has a slight role, really, with the majority of screen time being devoted to those behind the scenes. Director Clooney’s decision to shoot a majority of the film in close ups pays big dividends. With nothing else to take away your attention, you are focused on every word…every nuance…every hint of false flattery or earnest appreciation. A previous Oscar nominee for directing “Good Night and Good Luck,” Clooney could easily find himself on the short list this coming year.

 

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