Album Review: Blur - Parklive

There's not much to say about this one besides it's recorded extremely well. Which is expected since this was part of the closing ceremony of the Olympic Ceremony 2012. One of the clearest live albums I've ever heard. The crowd isn't annoying like you hear on some live albums. It's a 2 disc-er so you're getting double the fun and greatness. Pick this one up if you're a Blur fan! 4 out of 5 stars.

Album Review: Green Day - Tre!

I don't really know what to think about this one. Mainly because I've been hoping and praying for them to come out with something more along the lines of Dookie, but one can only dream. They've still got those grungy-punk bass lines on this album, but there's just not that "apecrap" factor that I look forward to hearing with this genre of music; especially from a band like Green Day. I did hear some of these songs sounding like they could be songs from the 1950's that they've turned into punk ("Brutal Love") which is pretty cool to hear. 3 out of 5 stars.

Album Review: Soundgarden - King Animal

Wow. One damn good album. It's heavy with intricate writing styles, and SOLID in every aspect. It's almost indescribable. Every single song is great! They all have really great hooks to them and draw you in. Its the perfect album to just chill and listen to; to appreciate well written, GOOD music. 5 out of 5 stars and it's definitely made it into my top 5 albums of 2012. GET THIS ALBUM! Even if you haven't really listened to Soundgarden, you'll love this.

Album Review: Kid Rock - Rebel Soul

Kid Rock really impressed me with this one. I like the style he's gone towards. It's a big mix of a lot of different genres. Very grass-roots with a lot of soul. There are classic grooves and some country twangs here an there. Plus you gotta admit, he writes great party music. This is perfect to rock out to while you're drinking with your buddies. I really liked track 10 "Mr. Rock N Roll." 4 out of 5 stars. Worth checkin out!

Album Review: Deftones - "Koi No Yokan"

"Koi No Yokan" is named after a Japanese proverb meaning "promise of love." Lets just say, this is the first time I've listened to an album multiple times in a row in one sitting. It's sludgy, crunchy, and raunchy as always with Deftones. Hauntingly melodic. Typical Deftones with typical greatness from them. Very sexy too. Next to Linkin Park this is my favorite album of 2012. 5 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: All That Remains - "A War You Cannot Win"

Totally impressive. They found the perfect mixture of chaos and calamity. Amazing screams, and lots of it. But then there's the most amazing singing you wouldn't expect. It's driving and well balanced. And it's unbelievable how fast these guys play their instruments. This album definitely packs a punch, only to turn around with some sappiness. Loved it. 5 out of 5 stars.

Album Review: Flyleaf - "New Horizons"

Better cherish this one. It's the last of Lacey you'll hear with Flyleaf. She's being replaced by (amazing) Kristen May of Vedera. You can tell with this album that Flyleaf has really grown musically. They seem more mature. There's more slow, heartfelt songs on this album, but they still get down and gritty a bit like they used to when they first got big. It's a great mixture of polar opposites. If you're a Flyleaf fan you'll enjoy it for sure. 5 out of 5 stars.

Album Review: Nonpoint - "Nonpoint"

DAMN. This is hard, aggressive, and angry all rolled into one. Everything you'd want to mosh to and more. Even the slower(ish) songs make you want to rip someone's head off. I don't know if it's because Elias Soriano has such a raw and mean voice or if it's the hard hitting drums and guitars, but wow. In my opinion, this gets the Pissed-Off Album of the Year Award of 2012. 4 out of 5 stars.

Album Review: Muse - "The 2nd Law"

Muse has such a creative way of writing songs. Their instrumentation, as always, is unbelievable on this album. This could be an acquired taste for you, because they get pretty theatrical, like a musical. Hearing this I feel like I should be flying through space or something. It puts me in a daze. But it's great because it's the sort of thing that zones you out and makes you forget about reality for a bit. 4 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: Three Days Grace - "Transit of Venus"

This starts off with a super mellow song, but it tricks you, because the song eventually goes balls to the wall. The beat along with the rhythm of the guitars is great. I feel like the band has toned it down a bit compared to what they were like when they first got big. All in all, this album isn't TOO impressive, but there are a few songs that I did really like. Check out "Sign of The Times," "Chalk Outline," and "Broken Glass." 3 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: Papa Roach - "The Connection"

I could not love Papa Roach more than I do now. Lately I've been hearing albums with one constant beat with every song sounding the same. THIS album though, changes it up with every song. It's so refreshing! I genuinely enjoyed all the elements they put into this. Their live shows with these songs have to be KILLER. 4.5 out of 5 stars. Pick it up!

Album Review: Green Day - "Uno!"

Yikes. What the hell happened to Green Day? Why can't they write like they did when Dookie came out? Bah. They've definitely stuck with their "new" sound. They've gone more pop/rock/punk. So if you're a fan of their old stuff like I am, you'll be a bit disappointed with this album. They're still writing catchy songs, but it's just not the same. It doesn't feel right at all. 2 out of 5 stars because I'm super sad about it.

Album Review: Surrender The Fall - "Burn In The Spotlight"

Highly impressive! This is the definition of gritty. I think it has a lot to do with lead singer, Jarod Cole. He stands out and sounds so genuine. 3 out of the 12 songs are acoustic ballads and they're actually really good. Other than that, it's original and solid. I can't really put my finger on it, but for some reason these guys are really likeable. Check out "Nothing" and "Bleed." 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Album Review: Hoobastank - "Fight Or Flight"

I'm feeling Coldplay somewhat meets an early Linkin Park. Most of this is chill and laid back, but there are a handful of really solid rock songs. The song order was kind of odd to me. Which may sound a bit weird to mention. It starts out with a really strong groove and vibe, then completely dies down and goes into a bunch a slow songs, only to be brought back to the harder stuff again at the end of the album. I didn't fall in love with this, but I definitely don't hate it. Best track, hands down, is "The Fallen." 3 out of 5 stars. Finally hearing music worthy to the ears!

Album Review: Charm City Devils - "Sins"

Blah. This is your usual run-of-the-mill rock band. Talented though, let me let me make sure to mention that. I am getting so disappointed; it's like no one wants to stand out anymore. All the bands are starting to sound the same! This is a solid album for what it is, don't get me wrong, but I'll probably never listen to it again. Unimpressive. But hey, we all have our own opinions and taste in music. My hope for the music industry is slowly fading away.

Album Review: In This Moment - "Blood"

I was so stoked for this album to come out after hearing their first single, "Blood." They did more than make an impression. It's hot, sexy, angry, aggressive, and hard; everything you'd want to hear from the band and front-woman, Maria Brink. It gave me the same feel as Evanescence's "Fallen" album, but this is way more powerful. Some very haunting interludes are thrown in throughout the album which are way cool (in the creepiest ways). Good to hear another female kill it like this! You have to pick this one up for sure. My favorite song was "Adrenalize." 5 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: The Darkness - "Hot Cakes"

The more I listen to them, the more I compare them to Queen. Absolutely love the The Darkness' style of music. This album made me a fan for sure! They've created something different for this generation and it's wonderful! It's very nostalgic, feel-good music. Justin Hawkins has amazing pipes as it is and just a fun vocalist to listen to. This is a great change up to what rock albums have been coming out lately. When you hit those ruts in your music selection and get tired of listening to the same stuff, pick this one up! My ears are happy with this for sure. 5 out of 5 stars.

Album Review: Saving Abel - "Bringing Down the Giant"

Since when did they start playing country? It sounds like they've gotten some sort of country/bluegrass influence. Seriously, a lot of the more current country out sounds like this. There's a lot of banjos, fiddles and acoustics (which I usually dig) incorporated into this album. Thank goodness Jared Weeks still has a voice for rock or else I would have turned it off. To be brutally honest, 95% of it annoyed me. The title track "Bringing Down the Giant" was the only song I could halfway get in to. I'm disappointed!

Album Review: 10 Years - "Minus the Machine"

These dudes know how to write an album. Their songs always seem to have a haunting edge to them. I'm not one for rock ballads, but their track "Writing on the Walls" is phenomenal! "Backlash" is also a killer one. I think I like this band so much because Jesse has such a distinctive voice. SO worth buying! 4 out of 5 stars.

Album Review: Toadies - "Play.Rock.Music."

Sticking with the 90's feel. I likey. A lot of songs sound the same. A lot of the tracks have really slow grooves; good for baby making music. I hear a big mix of blues and southern rock in it too. Which is a good change of pace! I really dig "Beside You." Worth picking up if you're a Toadies fan. I'd buy it on iTunes to pick and choose what tracks you want. I didn't like EVERYTHING, but it's solid! 3 out of 5 stars.

Album Review: Baroness - "Yellow and Green"

Well, I was skeptical. I'm not really digging their single that's out right now, "Take My Bones Away," but this surprised the hell out of me. These guys remind me a lot of Muse with a harder rock twist. The instrumentation and arrangements throughout this album are extremely creative, giving the album a ton of variety. Some songs are slow, a little melancholy at times; you'll find yourself getting lost in them. It's a double disc, the artwork and physical presentation is phenomenal. One of the coolest I've seen. This is worth picking up. I really enjoyed "Eula" (from the Yellow disc) and "Collapse" (from the Green disc). 4 out of 5 stars.

Album Review: P.O.D. - "Murdered Love"

Eh. I don't really listen to much of P.O.D. This is the most I've listened to them. It's nothing new compared to all the singles you've heard before on the radio. Some horns are brought in to one of their tracks which are a cool contrast to their sound. Kind of give it a jazzy feel. And sometimes throughout the album you'll catch a little bit of reggae influence. It's a good album, but I couldn't really get into it. I liked the title track, "Murdered Love," the most. 2 out of 5 stars.

Album Review: Linkin Park - "Living Things"

Gah! LOVE LOVE LOVE. With every album they release, I love them more and more. I cannot stop listening to this. There's a new surprise with every song; whether it be vocal effects or some crazy beats. This is a hugely powerful, SOLID album and probably their best yet. Definitely my favorite album so far this year and will be hard to beat. So good that I couldn't pick a favorite song! 5 out of 5 stars x 10!

Album Review: The Offspring - "Days Go By"

Hell. Yes. I've been looking forward to this for a while now. Their last album "Rise & Fall, Rage & Grace" ('08) is probably one of my favorite albums of all time. This thing starts out with a bang. These guys are one of the best punk/alt bands when it comes to writing catchy hooks. It's got the political twist for sure, and almost every song you'll catch yourself playing air drums. I'm not sure where the hell Track 6 ("Cruising California") came from...but I could have done without it for sure. Maybe it's their crossover song, but yuck. Besides that, this is everything I wanted and more. 5 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: Smashing Pumpkins - "Oceania"

Whether you've been with them over all these years or just now getting into them, you're going to love it. Super chill sounds (excluding opening track, "Quasar"). This is part of their 44 song work-in-progress, so it's kind of an album within an album. It's always awesome when bands get creative like this; it makes them stand out from the rest. This has a really nice groove to it. In my opinion, this is a work of art, even though not EVERY song caught my utmost attention. If that makes any sense. 4 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: Jimmy Fallon - "Blow Your Pants Off"

 

 Jimmy Fallon. 'Nuff said. 5 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: Smile Empty Soul - "3's"

 

I remember jamming these guys in my car all through high school. I love how they're sticking to their same sound. A lot of bands change too much over the years of being together. When I first started listening to this, it reminded me a bit of early Incubus. This entire album is pretty driving and angry. It seems like a good album to listen to when you're frustrated or need to blow off some steam. Not a whole lot of slow tracks so be ready to rock. My favorite was "Let Go." 4 out of 5 stars.

Album Review: Garbage - "Not Your Kind of People"

Glad these guys reappeared! This started off more "poppy" than I thought it would, but they still keep their dark side. It's a great album if you want a flash-back to the 90's grunge movement (some of my favorite albums came out in the 90's). I'm on the fence on this though, so I may have to listen to it more than once. Trust me, you'll like it if you like music that came out a decade ago. Kind of nostalgic. 3 out of 5 stars.

Album Review: Slash - "Apocalyptic Love"

On his last album he had a bunch of guest vocalists, but with this one he sticks with Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge on all the tracks. His voice is the perfect fit for Slash's style of playing. Everything is really fast and upbeat and goes back to the old school feel of Guns n Roses. Obviously, you should expect a lot of bad ass guitar shredding. Vocally, "Far and Away" blew me away; Myles' voice really shines. I don't really jam out to albums like this a whole lot, but this is solid through and through. 5 out of 5 stars.

Album Review: Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Covers EP"

I try to give everyone a chance because I know how it is to be a musician, because I myself am one. But this EP is one of the worst things I've ever listened to. They do covers of Beach Boys, Neil Young, David Bowie, Dion and The Belmonts, and The Ramones. All REALLY great and legendary bands, but in my opinion RHCP butchered all of it. I usually like them, but I'd rather listen to Bieber than this.

Album Review: HURT - "The Crux"

After meeting Hurt a few times and seeing both their full and acoustic sets, it made this particular album more enjoyable. This is mostly laid back, emotional, and chill, but it gets ballsy in some pretty perfect places. J did a phenomenal job with the composition of his lyrics. I'm glad to hear something a little different with words and structure than what I've been listening to lately. There's a very good balance overall to this album. Instrumentally, it's fantastic because I'm a big, big fan of orchestration. "Cuffed" was my favorite track. 4 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: Marilyn Manson - "Born Villain"

After 8 studio albums, you'd think he'd run out of genius material, but this kicks so much ass. Industrial rock at its finest. His lyrics alone are perfectly executed. As always, coming from him, this is a great album to blow off some steam with and just rock your ass off. Make sure to pick this one up, seriously. I'm hooked on the heaviest song, "Murderers Are Getting Prettier Every Day." 5 out of 5 stars in badassness!

Album Review: Jack White - "Blunderbuss"

This is typical Jack White. It's folky, progressive, indie, rock; a big mixture of things. Every song sounds totally different from the other. A great album if you need a little change in your music library. He definitely has the creativity a lot of people are lacking in the rock scene right now. "Weep Themselves To Sleep" was my favorite track. 4 out of 5 stars

Album Review: Evans Blue - "Graveyard Of Empires"

Evans Blue has always been the kind of band that knows how to write. This album is super aggressive, heavy, and instrumentally stands out to me above a lot of other albums I've reviewed. It takes a lot of me to listen to a new song in-full, but with these I couldn't push the "stop" button. Everything has an amazingly catchy hook. One of my favorites I've listened to in a while so I highly recommend picking this up! "Crawling Inside," "This Time It's Different," and "Underwater" were my favorites. 5 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: Cavo - "Thick As Thieves"

Ive been waiting for this one for a while after seeing these boys play live a few times. This thing is a powerhouse even when it comes to the ballads! There are more slower songs than I anticipated, but they made sure to make them catchy. Everything is driving, deep, and really makes Casey's voice stand out. This is something everyone can dig. Make sure to pick it up! I didn't hear one song that I didn't like. "Thick As Thieves," "Celebrity," and "Give It Away" were my favorites. 4 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: Foxy Shazam - "Church of Rock and Roll"

These guys are way different for the current "rock" scene, making you feel like you've gone back to the 70s or 80s. They define old school rock and soul. The entire album is pretty happy-go-lucky. They'll remind you a lot of White Snake and Queen. I really don't know what to think about this one. You'll either love it or hate it. This album's first single "I Like It" and track 7, "I Wanna Be Yours" were my favorite. 3 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: Shinedown - "Amaryllis"

This is their 4th studio album and they have completely outdown themselves. It's daid to be a game-changer for the band. Every song says a statement. You can tell they have grown so much and have gone back to straight rock and roll. Half of the songs on here feature a 30 piece orchestra which completely floors you. It's emotional and powerful; Brent even said he pushed himself lyrically with this one. I caught a lot of stuff about standing up for yourself. They found the perfect mix of chill and crazy fused together. My favorite tracks were "Adrenaline" and "My Name (Wearing Me Out)." All in all, a FANTASTIC album to pick up. 5 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: Rammstein - "Made In Germany"

This is one band I haven't really made the time to listen to and I'm now kicking myself a bit for it! This album is their "Best Of" so to speak, so it's great for you if you're listening to them for the first time like I am. Very industrial and heavy sounds. Sexy in my opinion and pure genius in the aspect of their writing. Every single song is worth giving a listen, but expect hardly any English. Honestly, that's something you can get past because the music is so eargasmic. I've gotta listen to these guys more often for sure. 4 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: Redlight King - "Something For the Pain"

Man what a great new sound for the rock genre. Redlight King uses a lot of drum beat samples, almost a form of hip-hop meets electric. I got the feel of Cage the Elephant mashed with Linkin Park. I guess you could call some of his vocals "rap" in most of these songs. It's a very chill album, nothing too heavy or hardcore. "Bullet In My Hand" has to be the heaviest song. He's known for his storytelling with impressive lyrics. There's a sick remix with samples from Neil Young's "Old Man" on track 3. This is definitely a new sound you need to check out. 4 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: Lacuna Coil - "Dark Adrenaline"

Impressive. This is the perfect mixture of 100% solid male and female vocals with hard rock. They kick ass with it and it's the main reason why this is such a good album. It's uptempo, but dark. More haunting than Evanescence and In This Moment combined. Perfect if you're depressed or angry. They do a killer cover of R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion." They actually make the song worth listening to. It was hard to pick my favorites, but "Against You" and "Fire" caught my ear! 4 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: Metallica - "Beyond Magnetic"

Alright, it's Metallica. The usual is expected. Grungy, hard, pure rock, and angry. There's a million guitar solos. The first track is especially cool because it transitions from fast to slow like crazy with some sweet melodic breakdowns. Even though this is an EP, it's almost the same length of an entire album considering they write 473429037 minute long songs. Perfect for you Metallica fans that need some freshness from them. Track 3 has one of the best intro's I've ever heard, and track 1, "Hate Train," was my favorite. 3 out of 5 stars.

Album Review: Green Day - "On The Radio"

This is a very unique album. I wish more bands did this. This is of Green Day's live show in New Jersey back in '92 in support of their second album. No audience, just recorded by WFMU Radio. The boys talk and goof around and play their early stuff. Even though our technology has advanced for live recordings, this sounds really clear. The perfect album for you hardcore Green Day fans and those of you digging on their early sound. "Paper Lanterns" was my favorite track. 4 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: Rise Against - "Endgame"

Just like all of their other albums, this is a freakin powerhouse. You'll find yourself head banging, fist pumping, and more than likely air-drumming to every song. You can almost hear a hint of old school Green Day in some of these songs. Traks 3, 8, and 12 are my favorites. Track 3, "Make It Stop," is about all the bully issues going on with kids these days. It sends a very powerful message. 5 out of 5 stars! ROCKED

Album Review: Halestorm - "Hello, It's Mz. Hyde"

Holy sh*t! Halestorm's new EP "Hello, It's Mz. Hyde" will make you fall in love with Lzzy even more. These 4 songs are a HUGE tease to me and you'll find that you want more too. It feels like Halestorm, Avenged Sevenfold, and The Distillers had a love child and then that child grew up and had a baby with Bret Michaels. There's a great balance to the album; two slower songs, and two songs that kick your ass and punch your ears. Expect tons of guitar shreds and ridiculous vocal range. I especially love the way Lzzy rants and wails at the 2 minute mark of "Love Bites (So Do I)." She literally has one of the best voices in rock right now and goes to show that the girls can run with the boys (and sometimes can cut better albums than the boys too!) 5 out of 5 stars. Can't wait for more.

Album Review: Chris Cornell - "Songbook"

When an artist/band comes out with a live album, I immediately have to give it a listen. Especially if it's acoustic. Chris Cornell's "Songbook" is a compilation of acoustic performances of songs he's released throughout his career. It's raw, it's stripped down, and definitely showcases Chris's vocals. I imagine myself taking a nice drive during sunset listening to this. Extremely chill and laid back and has all your favorite tracks. 4 out of 5 stars!

Album Review: Daughtry - "Break the Spell"

This is the first Daughtry album I've ever listened to and I really wasn't too excited for it. It's very American Idol-esque (to be expected). Really not what I'm into, but I know a lot of people will/do like this album because the whole thing is very universal. Something to listen to while your kid is in the car with you. They're almost crossing over into the country/rock genre, which seems to be what a lot of bands are doing lately. "Renegade" and "Break the Spell" were the only tracks that caught my attention. 2 out of 5 stars.

Album Review: Korn - "The Path of Totality"

This album is exactly what the world of rock needed. A lot of albums I've been listening to have sounded the same as the next, but Korn finally changed it up. They still have their basics; massively hard/crunchy/raunchy guitars, freakishly haunting vocals, and sick beats. And THESE beats are thrown at you 10 times harder thanks to their special collaborations with dubstep artists. I'd even say dubstep masters. This album makes my chest explode. It's exciting and fresh. They've got a hold of something big that more bands are going to catch on to. Track 11, "Bleeding Out," turned out to be my favorite. 5 out of 5 stars. A great album to start a new year!