Things are starting to heat up and I’m not just talking about the temperature.  The rock and metal are in abundance this week and then Rufus classes things up as well.  I hope there is something for you this week.  For me, there is nothing I am running out and buying just yet, but a lot I want to hear before I decide on parting with my cash.  My choices are highlighted in Blue. Let me know what interests you and what I might’ve missed as I do miss some every week.

•   Tokyo Motor Fist – Lions – (Frontiers Records):  The band’s second album and a must have for fans of Danger Danger as Ted Poley is the singer and Trixter as Steve Brown is on guitar.  The rhythm section is no slouch either with Greg Smith and Chuck Burgi.  I feel I didn’t spend enough time with the last one but I want to make up with that on this one.  Also, great album cover!!

•   Enuff Z’nuff – Brainwashed Generation – (Frontiers Records):  Another 80’s band still going strong.  For that, I am interested in hearing this one just to hear what they have to say so many years later.

•   Michael Grant & The Assassins – Always the Villain – (Frontiers Records):  This is the one I think I am most excited about. Michael Grant was in the band Endeverafter and that album was killer.  This is his new band’s debut so I am hoping this kicks some ass like that one did.  We will see.

And the rest, now Rufus might get a spin…

•   Rufus Wainwright – Unfollow the Rules – (BMG Rights)

•   Static-X – Project Regeneration Vol. 1 – (Otsego Entertainment Group);  The video has many Kiss references, so that is cool!!

•   Mike Shinoda – Dropped Frames, Vol 1 – (Kenji Kobayashi Productions)

•   Ensiferum – Thalassic – (Metal Blade Records)

•   Shining Black ft. Mark Boals/Olaf Thorsen – Shining Black – (Frontiers Records)

•   Sharptooth – Transitional Forms – (Pure Noise Records)

•   Bloody Heels – Ignite the Sky – (Frontiers Records)

•   Margo Price – That’s How Rumors Get Started – (Loma Vista Recordings / Concord)

•   Shaggy – Hot Shot 2020 – (Shaggy)

•   The Jayhawks – xoxo – (SHAM)

•   Brett Eldredge – Sunday Drive – (Warner Music Nashville)