Friday New Releases – August 30th

We are at the end of August and are getting ready for some huge releases that will be coming in September and October.  This week has a ton of releases, but none I am eager to run out and get although one everyone is talking about (but me – well I am talking about it, but I don’t really care).  My choices are limited and highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you are interested in hearing or if I missed anything as that is known to happen…frequently.  Have a great week.

  • 81MUYOosNDL._SS500_.jpg  Sons of Apollo – Live With the Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony – (Inside Out Music).  Sons of Apollo are releasing a huge live album/DVD and I expect it will be awesome. How could it not with Jeff Scott Soto on vocals, Mike Portnoy on Drums, Billy Sheehan on Bass, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal on guitar and Derek Sherinian on keyboards.  Their debut was spectacular and this will be nothing short of that.  This will get played a lot!!

  • 71HrT-cjr+L._SS500_  Tool – Fear Inoculum – (Tool Dissectional/Voyage): Here is the album everyone is talking about.  It has been 13 years since their last album and I am not sure if anyone thought they would do another album.  This is going to be huge in the world of music.  So why do I not care one bit.  I have never found them to be anything special so maybe I am missing something. I will listen to see if this finally grabs me, but I am not expecting much as I liked nothing prior.  Can someone please tell me why they are so liked…seriously, let me know.

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Michael Sweet – The Albums Ranked Worst to First

Michael Sweet is the lead singer of Stryper so you think I would do a Stryper ranking first, but nope.  I decided to do Michael Sweet’s solo releases before I go through all the Stryper albums.  Michael has been rather prolific with his music lately between the Stryper albums, his solo work and his Sweet & Lynch albums there has been a ton of new music.  I think he has also been getting better with age both vocally and lyrically.

He has a new album solo coming out soon called ‘Ten’ and before that was released I started listening to his older Solo albums and then one thing lead to another and I went through all of them.  So why not rank them from the ones I liked the least to the ones I liked the best and here we are.  Eventually I will get to the Stryper albums, but that could be awhile as there are so many to get through, but I will make it eventually.  For now, let us get through these.  Enjoy…

THE WORST – TOUCHED (2007):

Okay, the album is beautiful. He sounds amazing and I know the album was dedicated to his wife Kyle who was suffering from cancer.  It is a love song for her and that is incredibly touching.  The album is a collection of his songs and covers that were for his wife and all are ballads and not rocking at all.  I am not saying this album is bad, I am just saying I couldn’t enjoy it without that rocking side to go along with it.

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Friday New Releases – August 2nd

Summer is coming to end, but the heat is not.  One week (and a day) until Kiss End of the Road Tour and hopefully something here will hold me over until then.  Sadly, there isn’t much for my liking here this week.  There are a few I will give a listen, but nothing I am buying or overly crazy about.  Hopefully there is something for you this week. If so, let me know what it is and let me know if I missed something so I can check it out.  My choices are highlighted in Blue.  Thanks and have a great weekend.

  • 81lVagnI9LL._SS500_.jpg  Skillet – Victorious – (Atlantic Records):  Skillet is bringing us their 10th album and there sound has changed over the years from being heavily grunged influenced to an industrial rock sound to now a more hard rock sound.  The songs now are anthems that come at you with force and usually a powerful message.  They are a a Christian rock band who have crossed-over and are now delivering the message to people that don’t know they are getting something positive along with their rock. Great stuff.

  • 61fqYiNjiKL._AC_UL115_.jpg  Tenth Avenue North – No Shame – (Provident Label Group):  Another Christian band, but more on the lighter side with being pop melodies and great vocals.  If you need something positive, but don’t want the heavy, this is for you.  For those days I need a pick me-up, these guys can deliver.

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Friday New Releases – June 21st

Welcome to a very busy Friday of releases.  There are a bunch of releases I am interested in getting, but only one I am buying as that one is so expensive, I can’t afford anything else.  As Summer keeps getting hotter, so does the new music.  My choices are highlighted in Blue. What are you interested in getting? Let me know what you want and what I missed and most of all…enjoy all the music.  Have a great weekend.

  • 71014pEYJEL._SX522_.jpg  Def Leppard – Box Set Volume Two – (Mercury):  Finally!!! Volume Two is upon us.  Volume One was so awesome, now Def Leppard bring us the next set with the albums Adrenalize, Retroactive, Slang and Euphoria all on vinyl (or CD is you want).  I don’t have any of these on vinyl so this is an absolute MUST!!! You also get 4 Vinyl full of Bonus tracks, rarities and live songs that is right…FOUR!!!.  What is extra cool about this is that a friend of mine was asked for songs from his collection to go on this set and there of 7 songs of his (live shows, I believe) that are on here and he is credited!! Way to go Mike Ladano!!!

  • A1ZmIUwu8gL._SX522_  Collective Soul – Blood – (Fuzze Flex Records):  I am excited about this one as well.  Collective Soul bring us album #10!!  I am glad they are still going strong and they keep getting better along with it.  I haven’t heard anything off this one yet as I want to take it all in at once.  These Georgia boys don’t usually disappoint so it should be great.

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Friday New Releases – May 31st

Welcome to the last Friday of May!!  Let the Summer heat and fun begin!!  School is almost out for the kids, but busy times ahead for me.  Let’s end the month with some new releases.  I have a few I am interested in hearing and they are highlighted in Blue.  There is a handful of releases this week so let me know what you are interested in or if I missed something that needs a shout out!  I hope there is something for you.  Enjoy and have a great weekend!!

  • 819tYFEUphL._SS500_  Kenny Wayne Shepherd – The Traveler – (Concord Music Group):  First up for me is KWS and that awesome blues guitar.  Kenny has been around awhile now and his last release was stellar so expect more of the same with this. It is funny how his Blues actually makes me feel good.  Is that the way it is supposed to work?

  • 81BCSsOw5gL._SS500_  Duff McKagan – Tenderness – (Universal Music):  The Guns ‘n Roses bass player is back with a new solo album which is the first one in 20 years (not counting the 8 years since his band Loaded’s last album).  I don’t have high expectations or any for that matter, but I am curious as to what he has to offer and he has earned the respect for a listen.  I want some new GNR music though!!!

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Friday New Releases – May 10th

Happy Friday!!  It is when there are new releases that I want and this has a few.  Some I will buy and some I will stream, but it is new music and that is what I look forward to on Fridays…well that and the work week ending.  Let me know what you are looking forward to hearing this weekend and let me know if I am missing anything.  Mine are marked in Blue.  Have a great listening weekend!!

  • 81SGZps2uQL._SS500_  Whitesnake – Flesh and Blood – (Frontiers Records):  The first album with Joel Hoekstra on lead guitar and around 8 years since the last album of new material.  That is quite a break.  Now, I haven’t listened to anything yet as I want to listen to it all for the first time at once.  I hope it is heavy, loud and simply fantastic.

  • 71WHiV6RogL._SS500_  Sammy Hager & the Circle – Space Between – (BMG):  Sammy and Micheal Anthony seemed to be joined at the happy and Michael is part of every project Sammy does (except the Tequila business).  This one throws Vic Johnson on guitar and Jason Bonham on drums.  Another one I haven’t listened to anything yet. I will take it all in at one time.

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Friday New Releases – April 26th

I should be arriving home today from vacation in Paris, France so I will be a little late getting to these releases, but there are a bunch I want to at least listen to first before I buy.  All my choices are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you are interested in or if there is something I might have missed as that happens…a lot!!  Enjoy and have a great weekend.  I know I will be resting from this trip and I am sure suffering major jet lag.

  • 81v8c1Xq1AL._AC_UL115_  Rob Thomas – Chip Tooth Smile – (Atlantic Records):  The former Matchbox 20 frontman is finally back with a new solo album after four years.  I liked his early stuff and definitely early Matchbox 20.  I am hoping he captures a little of that lost magic, but I don’t know yet as I haven’t listened to anything yet, not even the video posted below.  I will try it out, he has earned that.

  • 41o9cEfsGBL._AC_US320_QL65_  Rodrigo y Gabriela – Mettavolution – (Rubyworks):  This might actually be first up on the playlist.  I love these two.  Their instrumental, flamenco style music is at times breathtaking.  High expectations as I have never been disappointed before.  Give them a listen if you have heard them before…it is really cool.

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Friday New Releases – April 12th

A number of new releases this week across a vast array of genres.  There is probably something for everyone this week.  We have Alternative, Christian, Indie, R&B, Country, Metal, EDM, AOR, Bubble Gum Pop and who knows what else.  There a few that interest me, but don’t necessarily excite me where I am running out and buying anything. A few I want to listen to and they are highlighted in Blue as always.  Let me know what interests you or if I missed anything.  Enjoy listening and have a great weekend!!

  • 81wqiwabv8l._sx522_  Band of Skulls – Love is All You Love – (SO Recordings):  This English band is back with their 5th album and they are quite interesting and worth a listen.  They are part Blues Rock, Indie Rock, Stoner Rock and just plain Hard Rock.  They are a little of everything and that is what is great about them.  Give them a try if you haven’t already.

  • A14oFsF98hL._SX522_  Danny Gokey – Haven’t Seen It Yet – (Sparrow Records):  Christian artist and former American Idol hopeful releases his fourth album and I was pleasantly surprised by how good his last album was that I will be checking this one out as well.  It is towards the pop realm in Christian music, but his voice is fantastic and the lyrics are great.  If you need something uplifting, this should fit the bill.

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Friday New Releases – March 29th

March is over and it will go out with a ton of releases this week.  There is something for everyone with this many releases.  We have metal, rock, alternative, country, R&B, jazz and christian music all to be heard and spun.  Actually, for me, there isn’t much I am interested in and I will highlight those in Blue.  Let me know what you found and if I missed anything.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.  If you want to see a bunch of the new releases coming over the next couple months, click New Releases here or at the top of the page.

  • 61e23dfEOBL._SS500_  Billie Eilish – When We All Fall Asleep – (Darkroom/Interscope Records):  Okay, this one is on my list because it is my oldest daughters favorite artist right now and apparently a lot of people are digging her.  She is VERY DARK in her attitude, music and especially the lyrics.  But she has something that is the “IT” factor right now.  A lot of her stuff is a little too weird, but some songs really knock it out of the park.  I will be listening to this one a lot…and not all by choice.

  • 81mrsy-ui6l._ac_ul115_  L.A. Guns – The Devil You Know – (Frontiers Records):  Is this the real L.A. Guns or one of the two touring bands with the same name??  Kidding…a little.  Either way, I will give it a spin and see what this old band still has to offer.

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Friday New Releases – March 22nd

After last week, we need a bunch of new releases and this week you get just that.  This week is also heavy on the rock side which suits me fine.  A whole lot to choose from here.  Hopefully you will find something you like. I know I have quite a few I am interested and one that is on pre-order and can’t wait to dive into and re-explore.  All my choices are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you are looking forward to hearing and if I missed anything.  Thanks and have a great weekend!!

  • 819unabimsl._ss500_  Harem Scarem – The Ultimate Collection Box Set – (Frontiers Records):  A 14 CD set spanning the entire Harem Scarem Career.  This is massive and I can’t wait.  I haven’t gone through their albums one by one in a long, long time…to long in fact.  This will be fun and should keep me busy for quite some time.  What’s your favorite album?

  • 91S5DWfazkL._SX522_  Motley Crue – The Dirt Soundtrack – (Eleven Seven Music):  The Crue is back with a Netflix Biopic and a soundtrack to boot.  The soundtrack has four new songs (sort of) and is a greatest hits collection.  It doesn’t look as sweet as the Queen movie soundtrack (now that is how you do it).  Let’s hope the songs are better than the movie looks.  So far, not overly impress with The Dirt song that was released and there is a cover of Like a Virgin by Madonna…that ain’t helping things look any better.  We will see…

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