Month: November 2022

My Sunday Song – “A Symptom of Being Human” by Shinedown

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For My Sunday Song #326, we will let Brent Smith dive in to the song “A Symptom of Being Human” by Shinedown. The song is off their brand new, 2022 album, ‘Planet Zero’. It is not a single (yet), but it is one of the songs that grabbed me the most when I heard the album. The album went to #5 on the Billboard Top 200, but #1 on pretty much every other rock chart on Billboard. I think this is one of the standout tracks.

The song was written by Brent Smith and Eric Bass. As far as the meaning of the song, I’m going to cheat and let Brent tell it in his own words. From Glide Magazine in an article written by Leslie Michele Derrough, Brent said the following about it…

“A Symptom Of Being Human” is a very poignant song on the album and what it is referring to and what it is about is so important. In that chorus, we’re unpacking a lot in that chorus. So I would have to say with that song in particular, the lyric that says “Sometimes I’m in a room where I don’t belong and the house in on fire and there’s no alarm and the walls are melting too, how ‘bout you.” The house represents your mind, your thoughts and what’s going on, and sometimes in modern day what we’re all dealing with on a daily basis and how we’re trying to navigate this place, sometimes, you know, up top we just kind of question what’s going on up there and sometimes it takes a lot out of you. And “Symptom” is about understanding that, hey, it’s not just you, it’s all of us; it happens, things aren’t always going to be perfect all the time; but you’re not alone, we all feel like this from time to time; that’s why it’s called being human. So I would say that lyric hits me really, really hard. That song hits me really, really hard. Every single time I hear that song it does something to me still.

The song is an emotional, ballad in the sense it is a slowed tempo, acoustic and has an orchestration feel to it. It makes it more dramatic and the piano break at the end just adds a finishing touch that brings the feels. Brent’s vocals are smooth and emotive and his tone makes you stop and take notice. You absorb every word, every note and get lost in it. Every listen brings something new to focus on, whether it is the vocals, the piano, the drum beat and definitely the lyrics. A brilliant track.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “A Symptom of Being Human” by Shinedown” →

You Pick It! – What to Review in December?

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You, my reader, are going to pick an album for me to review each month.  It is really simple…first, I will give you 5 albums to choose from and second, you will tell me which one of those you would like to see reviewed on the site.  See…simple! Now, if you want to cast more than one vote, comment on the Twitter and Facebook post and you could get up to 3 votes on your favorite pick.

There are no longer rules for my selections, maybe themes.  I’m just picking albums in my collection and this time they are classics from the 70’s. What are the 5 albums you ask?  Funny you should ask because I have them right here…

   Alice Cooper – ‘Billion Dollar Babies’

   Elton John – ‘Captain Fantastic’

    Rolling Stones – ‘Sticky Fingers’

   David Bowie – ‘Diamond Dogs’

   Led Zeppelin – ‘Led Zeppelin II’

Let me know which one you would like to see and sometime in December, I will post a review of the album that gets the most votes. You have one week to decide and from there I will start listening to the album and do a review.

Thanks for participating!!

Friday New Releases – November 18, 2022

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Happy Friday and let me tell you I’m happy. My Kiss Creatures of the Night Box Set should be here this afternoon and I can’t wait as that is my big purchase for myself as I need everything Kiss!! But have my eye on that Queen The Miracle Box Set as well and might get that one too! We will see. Let me know what you are wanting this week or what we might have missed. Thanks as always for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

The two I want….

  • 71BSGYa8aWL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Kiss – Creatures of the Night (40th Anniversary Edition) – (UMe / UMG)
  • 517Tlhq8o1L._SX522_  Queen – The Miracle (Deluxe Edition or Collector’s Edition) – (Hollywood Records)

And all the rest…

  • 91uu2Obvj2L._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Nickelback – Get Rollin’ – (Nickelback II Productions / BMG Rights Mgmt)
  • 91KKEzXIt0L._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Disturbed – Divisive – (Reprise Records)
  • 91lK6RPCdjL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Michael Jackson – Thriller 40 – (Sony Music)
  • 61NnD6awUzL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Dolly Parton – Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection – (Sony Music)
Continue reading “Friday New Releases – November 18, 2022” →

Scorpions – ‘Savage Amusement’ (1988) – Album Review (The Scorpions Collection Series)

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It had been four years since the band’s last studio album ‘Love at First Sting’ in 1984. The band toured extensively for that record and then released a live record ‘World Wide Live’ celebrating that tour. Then the band toured again for the Live album and they were exhausted. They finally headed back in the studio in 1987 to start recording ‘Savage Amusement’ and worked on the new album through to early 1988. The band’s sound changed as they became way more polished and mature sounding thanks in large part to the success of Def Leppard. I would say the sound tried to mirror them to some degree.

The album saw the full band return with Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker, Mathias Jabs, Francis Buchholz and Herman Rarebell. The producer was the same as well with Dieter Dierks, however, this would wind up being his last Scorpions album. ‘The ‘Savage Amusement’ was released on April 16, 1988 and did really well going to #5 in the U.S. and going Platinum with over 1,000,000 copies sold. Sadly though, it was considered a disappointment.

Continue reading “Scorpions – ‘Savage Amusement’ (1988) – Album Review (The Scorpions Collection Series)” →

Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live at the Queen Convention 2003’ (2004) – Album Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)

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How does Jeff Scott Soto end up doing Queen songs at Queen conventions? Well, he had always loved Queen and Freddie Mercury was a big influence on his life, but that is common with a lot of people. For Jeff, it all started back in 1999 when one fateful day he met Jacky Smith who was the head of the Queen Fan Club. That chance meeting led to Jeff getting to meet Brian May and a chance to jam with him and the SAS Band at the annual Freddie Mercury Birthday Party.

That keep him in touch with the Queen family and in 2002, Jacky asked him to come to one of the Queen conventions. He made an appearance and actually jammed on a few songs during the convention. The feedback was so great, Jeff was brought back to do the North America convention as the first was in the UK. This led Jeff to be brought up on stage at an after party with Brian and Roger Taylor when they received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. If that wasn’t enough, Jeff was asked to come back in 2003 and instead of a handful of songs, they wanted Jeff to perform an entire set of Queen songs. But not as a tribute act, as a real act and doing everything his way with his own band.

Jeff brought his solo band with him which was Gary Schutt, Howie Simon and Alex Papa. Now, Jeff was a massive Queen fan and knew all the songs, even the deep cuts. However, his band only knew the hits. This was the Queen Convention and “the Hits” aren’t enough. You need deep cuts. So, the band took a crash course in Queen and after several rehearsals, the band was ready to go. What we get here on a 2 CD set is the entire set they performed and it is massive. They played around 45 cuts (some in song melodies) and it was incredible. They released it on video and CD. I have the CD, but I need to get the video. Let’s get to it.

Continue reading “Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live at the Queen Convention 2003’ (2004) – Album Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)” →

Billy Idol – “White Wedding” (1982) – 12″ Single (The Billy Idol Series – Bonus Edition)

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When I was out to Noble Records 3rd Anniversary Record Drop, I found some great pieces for the collection. One that I had been wanting is the 12″ Single for Billy Idol’s classic, “White Wedding”. And sure enough, he had it and I bought it. One of the most recognizable Billy Idol songs ever is from his debut 1982 self titled album. “White Wedding” is on that album but it is listed as “Part 1”. Which means there must be a “Part 2”. What is cool about this 1982 release is that it includes both Part 1 and Part 2 of the song “White Wedding”. Side 1 actually has both Part 1 & Part 2 together as one song at over 8 minutes in length. Side 2 is exclusively Part 2.

  “White Wedding (part 1)” became a massive hit for Billy thanks to MTV.  With few videos to play in the early days, this one got on heavy rotation.  The song was written by Billy Idol and is a song that is not about a happy wedding.  I have read different stories about what the song means.  One, it is not actually about his sister.  It is either about a “shotgun” wedding or about a woman he is in love with then she marries someone else. 

It has that classic Steve Stevens opening riff and the bass line by Phil Feit is powerful and chugs along driving the song forward. Keith Forsey on drums is amazing as his fills are perfectly placed and the beats give the song a frantically charged feel to the song. Billy calmly sings at first with an almost eerie yet sinister tone. He gets more aggressive as the song goes and when it builds to a climax he starts screaming and his “woahs” are perfect. The song never made you look at weddings the same way again.

Continue reading “Billy Idol – “White Wedding” (1982) – 12″ Single (The Billy Idol Series – Bonus Edition)” →

You Picked It!: Cinderella – ‘Long Cold Winter’ (1988) – Album Review

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Alright…You Picked It! Apparently, people didn’t like the new format as the vote count was way down. I am getting back to what my site is about and that is what is in my collection which is why I changed things. I was tired of the other way and needed to change…so I did. Get used to this way because this is how it will be for the time being. The first vote getter in this month’s picks ended up the winner. Therefore the winner was Cinderella’s ‘Long Cold Winter’. Here are the results.

  1. Cinderella – ‘Long Cold Winter’ – 5 votes
  2. Winger – ‘Pull’ – 4 votes
  3. White Lion – ‘Mane Attraction’ – 2 votes
  4. Night Ranger – ‘Man in Motion’ – 2 votes
  5. Poison – ‘Look What the Cat Dragged In’ – 1 Vote

Thanks to all for participating. The December choices will be up on Saturday! And the choices are all now from my collection and will have a loose theme of 70’s Classics!!!

CINDERELLA – ‘LONG COLD WINTER’ (1988):

Cinderella hit it big with their Glam Rock debut ‘Night Songs’ back in 1986 with a lot of thanks to Jon Bon Jovi who saw them play and helped them get a deal. Gene Simmons was interested first, but they weren’t interested in Gene. The debut album had them dressing all Glam in colorful outfits and I don’t think they were very fond of that whole concept. That became obvious with their second album when they went to a more all black and blue jean look and changed their sound to mostly blues rock. They wanted to distance themselves as much as they could from the Glam scene and I don’t think they did, but they at least sounded different. Fans of the debut, followed along with this one as well…I know I did.

Continue reading “You Picked It!: Cinderella – ‘Long Cold Winter’ (1988) – Album Review” →

My Sunday Song – “Cut the Cord” by Shinedown

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For My Sunday Song #325, we are diving in to the song “Cut the Cord” from Shinedown’s 2015 album ‘Threat to Survival’. The song was released on June 29, 2015 and written by Brent Smith and Eric Bass. The song is a platinum seller with sales over 1,000,000 and went to #8 on the US Rock Airplay chart and #10 on US Hot Rock & Alternative Song chart. It was the debut single off the album and helped propel the album go Gold and reach #6 on the Billboard Charts.

The song is about waking up, taking ownership of your life and realize that you control your own destiny. Find the courage and strength and don’t let anything get in your way to what you want. Basically, whatever is holding you back, cut that cord to free yourself and don’t be afraid to fail. We all need that strength at times as there is always an excuse why “not” to do something. This is the anthem to make you say failure is not an option.

The song is heavy, powerful and a massive wake up call of sound. Barry Kerch’s drumming is immensely intense and thunderous. Zach Myers guitars are heavy and lethal. The song opens with a choir of vocals on the “Freedom la la la la” lines and they show up through the song. Brent Smith’s vocals are wild, crazy and psychotic as he means what he sings and brings an intensity that is only matched by the music. The heavy melodies and catchy chorus find the right groove and it is a song you won’t forget.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Cut the Cord” by Shinedown” →

Matt Nathanson – “Suspended” – Promotional CD Single

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In my further quest for owning all Matt Nathanson items listed on Discogs, I found another gem. This Promo CD is for the song “Suspended” off his 2003 album and major label debut called ‘Beneath these Fireworks’. The song didn’t chart, no surprise as he’s never been a big radio hits guy (even though his stuff is better than radio). The album didn’t do well either and shortly after releasing his first major label debut on Universal, Universal dropped him. Such is the story of so many artists and bands.

The song was written by Matt Nathanson, Mark Weinberg and Eric Bazillion who you know as a founding member of the band The Hooters. The song is about being in a relationship that might not be the best relationship, but man, the sex is so good you are willing to accept anything to stay in it. You suspend belief and think that is all is great just to stay for sex despite how lost and miserable you might be. Better for some human contact than nothing at all. Now, that is one way to look at it, the other is that he is fully committed and in love, but she’s not quite there. The line, “When you pretend that I’m all that you waited for”, shows that he knows she’s not in to it anymore, just pretending. But he’s okay…he loves her and wants to stay and be together.

Continue reading “Matt Nathanson – “Suspended” – Promotional CD Single” →

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK…with Mike and the Mad Metal Man as 2 Loud 2 Old Music is the Special Guest!!

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GRAB A STACK OF ROCK…with Mike and the Mad Metal Man
Episode 3: Special guest John Snow (That’s me…come join us tonight at 7pm!!)

Continuing to show off our collections, tonight Harrison and Mike are joined by the infamous John T. “Snowman” Snow for another hour of fun.  What will we show off tonight?  You’ll just have to tune in and see.  We all know John’s collection is massive and loaded with rock.  How will he choose to spend his hour tonight?  Let’s find out!

We also have some surprise viewer questions for Harrison, and YOU can participate in the comments section!  Join us, won’t you?

Friday November 11 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook.