Month: April 2018

My Sunday Song – “Constant Craving” by k.d. lang

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic10 Comments

For My Sunday Song #87, I have chosen “Constant Craving” by the amazing k.d. lang.  The song is off her album ‘Ingenue’ in 1992.  The song did well on the charts, obviously, but it was the song that gave k.d. a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Performance in 1993.  The song was also up for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

The song had a more commercial feel then her previous releases.  She had been going for a more country style, but her androgynous appearance hindered her acceptance into Nashville and country music.  She had hits on the country charts such as “Cryin’ (w/ Roy Orbison) and other songs, but they were never truly embraced her.  Thankfully for us,  she turned more pop and gave us this beauty of an album and song.

“Constant Craving” is such a beautiful song set at a mid-tempo with loads of different acoustic guitars, an accordion and of course k.d.’s amazing and gorgeous voice.  For the background vocals, they used numerous layers of her vocals as well as the Reclines singer, Sue Leonard to assist on the high vocal parts.  For me, it was the song that really turned me on to lang.  It had such a haunting feel to it and with the utter desperation and wanting of the lyrics and I was hooked.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Constant Craving” by k.d. lang” →

Friday New Releases – April 13th

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic39 Comments

Welcome to a pretty slow week.  Only one I am interested in this week and there aren’t a ton of others coming out.  Hopefully next week will bring us more.  However, it might be a good week to catch up on earlier releases as I am sure that is what I will be doing.  My choices are in Blue.  Let me know if there is anything you are interested in as well.

  • 81EGj2+qBCL._AC_UL115_  Breaking Benjamin – Ember – (Hollywood Records):  We thought the band was over in 2009, but it returned in 2015 although it wasn’t the original band, just the singer.  Didn’t matter, it was the singer I always liked so glad to hear some new music from him.  This time the new band was involved in the writing so hopefully will add a new layer to the band.  We will see…or hear I guess.

  • 71SLhyrtHdL._SX522_  Metallica – The $5.98 EP: Garage Days Re-Revisited – (Blackened Recordings):

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – April 13th” →

Needtobreathe – “Bridges Burn” – Single Review

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic5 Comments

Needtobreathe recently announced a new tour starting in August and a new project titled ‘Forever On Your Side (Niles City Sound Sessions)’.  The first single from that project is titled “Bridges Burn”.  Before I go into the song, let’s talk about the band.

Needtobreathe is one of my absolutely favorite bands and I am excited they are finally coming back to Charlotte as it has been awhile.  I will do my best to make it to this show even if it will be OUTSIDE…IN AUGUST…IN THE SOUTH!!  What were they thinking???  There is nothing like sitting outside in 100º weather.

Back to the music…here is what the band says about the new project…

“Forever On Your Side (Niles City Sound Sessions)” is a new collection of songs made over the course of a few weeks in Fort Worth, TX with the producer trio Niles City Sound. This music documents the season that we’re in as a band right now.

news_img_f_1521826488

Continue reading “Needtobreathe – “Bridges Burn” – Single Review” →

Calum Scott – ‘Only Human’ – Album Review

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic7 Comments

Calum Scott’s debut release, ‘Only Human’, came out on Friday, March 9th. A day surrounded by albums from some Hard Rock artists such as Judas Priest, Myles Kennedy, Three Days Grace and even Jimi Hendrix, how did this pop artist catch my ear?  Easy, two years ago this former Britain’s Got Talent contestant released a cover of Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own”.  That song made me stop and take notice.  It was absolutely fantastic (more on it later).  I have been anxiously awaiting an album from him ever since.

And now, the long wait is finally over.  Calum Scott is a cross between many artists.  I would say he is a little bit Sam Smith (without the depressing ass songs), a little bit Adam Levine (his vocal stylings only), a little Gavin DeGraw (catchy pop love songs) and a little bit of James Bay (his first record and even a little of his guitar sound).  He is the best of all those people rolled into one.

There are 14 tracks on the CD version  of the album (vinyl only has 11) so I won’t go through all the songs in detail, but I will highlight several of my favorites.  First off, there are two types of songs throughout the album.  You get the love song ballads and the upbeat pop songs.  I have to admit, I am a sucker for a good love song and Calum has no short supply.  The ballads are beautiful showcases of his amazing, soulful vocal abilities.

Continue reading “Calum Scott – ‘Only Human’ – Album Review” →

My Sunday Song – “Dark Horses” by Switchfoot

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic2 Comments

For My Sunday Song #86, “Dark Horses” by Switchfoot is my choice.  The song is off their ‘Vice Verses’ and the single was released on July 20, 2011.  It reached #1 on the Billboard Christian Rock Songs and #1 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (I don’t really know this chart very well).  It went to #5 on the Rock Alternative Charts as well.  Needless to say, it did very well for the band.

What I like about Switchfoot is they have Christian roots, but can pass as a mainstream act as well.  They are able to get the message out and most people don’t even realize they are getting a positive, heartfelt message of some kind whether it is religious or some point they want to get across.  I love how he can turn that message into such great music.

“Dark Horses” might be a familiar term to those in the sporting world.  A dark horse is a term used to describe a person, team or horse that is not well-known but rises to the top.  The song is talking about the homeless children that aren’t well known, but they have something to offer if they were just given the chance.  Jon & Tim Foreman are wanting to spread the word and put the focus on helping these homeless kids so they have that chance to shine.  For Jon, these kids are the kids he sees on the streets of his home town in San Diego and he works with the organization Stand Up For Kids.  I agree with the band and we shouldn’t write them off, they deserve a chance to shine and succeed just as much as anyone.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Dark Horses” by Switchfoot” →

Friday New Releases – April 6th

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic14 Comments

It is already April and I can’t believe how fast time flies.  We just got back from New York City for a family vacation and what a great time we had.  I love that city!!  Now, what do we have new this week you might ask.  Well, we have a lot of different things, Metal, Rock, Southern Rock, Pop, Christian and so much more.  My choices are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you want, if anything.

  • 91P3HWlQIsL._SX522_  The Dead Daisies – Burn It Down – (Spitfire Music):  John Corabi and boys are back with yet another Dead Daisies release.  They are pumping out the music and thankfully so.  Since Corabi came on board, I have really loved these guys.  And coming of Corabi’s recent Live album playing his one Motley Cure album in its entirety, I am ready for some more.

  • 31iUJMAkz3L._AC_US320_QL65_  Thirty Seconds to Mars – The New Album – (Interscope):  Jared Leto and company are finally returning with some new music.  He shares his time between movies and music and although I like his movies, he is one of the few actors that actually has some musical chops and Thirty Seconds to Mars rarely disappoints.  Looking forward to this one as I have loved the first song and here it is…

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – April 6th” →

Kiss – “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” (The 45 Single)

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic13 Comments

Disco era Kiss!  Does it get any better than that??  Well, yes it actually does.  Nonetheless, it was still Kiss and still awesome.  I was out at my favorite little record spot and came across a 7″ single of Kiss and of course I had to have it.  It was the 1979 single off the Dynasty album called “I Was Made For Lovin’ You”.

The single was only the band’s second Gold single and it went on to sell over a 1 million copies so needless to say, it was a hit.  Which proved Gene and Paul correct that during the Disco era, anyone could write a disco song.  Speaking of writing, this was the first time Kiss co-wrote a song with Desmond Child and it wouldn’t be the last.  It was also Desmond’s first hit he ever had.  The song was also written by Paul Stanley and Vini Poncia who played piano on the song and did backing vocals.

The really isn’t much to talk about in regards to the song.  Think disco and you know what the song sounds like.  You can get up and dance to it and sing along to the catchy, pop chorus.  It is simple.  One thing I guess I can talk about is that wikipedia has the 7″ single listed at 4:01, but my version has it at 3:57 which might not seem like a lot, but that is a big difference.  The song is already cut down from the album version which was at 4:30.  Not sure if I have a different version or wikipedia is just wrong.

Continue reading “Kiss – “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” (The 45 Single)” →

C.F. Kip Winger – Solo Box Set Collection – Album Review

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic8 Comments

Kip Winger finally re-releases his solo albums after a time period where they were out of print.  The big difference this time is he has released them only in a box set simply called the Solo Box Set Collection.  The set includes 5 CD including his 4 solo album as well as a bonus CD of bonus tracks from all the Japanese editions of his albums and one new song.

Before Kip started with his solo albums, you would know he was in the band Winger, obviously.  Winger’s last studio album prior to the solo albums was 1993’s ‘Pull’ (and one of my favorite Winger albums).  After this album, the band sort of dissolved and wasn’t doing anything anymore.  Then in 1996 Kip started his solo career.  That solo career produced 3 studio albums, 1 acoustic album and now some Classical pieces that he did not include in this set.

Before we get into the music, let’s talk about the set itself.  It comes in a very sturdy box that was nice and thick, well made and should last a long time.  The one thing you notice is the sad figure on the cover.  I am sure it is some famous painting or something, but I do not know who it is or what the story is with the picture.  Another thing you notice is Kip’s name.  He now puts C.F. Kip Winger as his name.  He has been doing that with his Classical pieces he has written and now it is spilling over into his other solo work.  The C.F. are his initials for his name Charles Frederick Kip Winger.  Maybe “Kip” didn’t sound professional enough for the classical music scene.

IMG_0643

Continue reading “C.F. Kip Winger – Solo Box Set Collection – Album Review” →

My Sunday Song – “Modern Day Cowboy” by Tesla

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic10 Comments

For My Sunday Song #85, it is time to go with a western feel with “Modern Day Cowboy” by Tesla.  The song was the band’s second single on their debut album ‘Mechanical Resonance’ released in December of 1986. The single was released in 1987 and peaked at only #35 on the US Mainstream Rock chart which surprises me that this song and these guys didn’t blow up more than they did.

The song became an instant favorite of mine the second I heard it with that monster opening guitar riffs with Frank Hannon and Tommy Skeoch.  Then the song changed up the guitars to acoustic and then back and forth with the electric guitars.  The two were simply scary good.  The whole cowboy theme song was probably take due to the success of Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive”.

“Modern Day Cowboy” takes you through some of the bad boy cowboys through time starting with Billy the Kidd; then going to the Original Gangsters Al Capone and Bad Boy Jones; and finally moving to present day with our leaders of U.S.A. & the U.S.S.R. and their six guns or in this case nuclear weapons.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Modern Day Cowboy” by Tesla” →