Category: New Releases

Def Leppard – The Def Leppard E.P. – Album Review

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Here is the review for the Def Leppard E.P. I picked up on Record Store Day on April 22, 2017.

Back in 1979, a little known band named Def Leppard released their first E.P.  The E.P. was recorded at Fairview Studios in Hull, England back in November of 1978 and was self-produced.  It only included three songs and was recorded by a band that was quite different than the band you know and love today.

The band at the time was only four members as the original drummer, Tony Kenning, quit right before the recording of the E.P.

  • Joe “Zeff” Elliott
  • Steve Clark
  • Pete Willis
  • Rick Savage

Since they didn’t have a drummer anymore, they used drummer Frank Noon from a band that called themselves “The Next Band”.  Shortly thereafter, the band hired a 15 year old kid to be the drummer named Rick Allen.

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Friday New Releases – April 21st

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Rock fans rejoice!!  There are an abundance of rock records out today.  There are a variety of other genres as well including a Barry Manilow release, but ROCK is KING today for me.  My favorites to listen to are highlighted in Blue. There will be more on the list I am interested in, but will get listened to whenever I have time.  I hope there is something here for you!  Happy Friday and Happy Listening!!

  • 61loxgv4ial-_ac_us160_  Crazy Lixx – Ruff Justice – (Frontiers Records SRL):  The Swedish “Hair” Metal band is back with a new line-up after losing their major songwriter, Andy Zata.  After hearing the first song, they still sound the same bringing us loud rock & roll.  Hoping for more of the same on the rest of the album.

  • 51xac57bxxl-_ac_us160_  Thunder – Rip It Up – (Earmusic):  English band, Thunder, is bringing us their 11th studio album.  They came about in 1990 right when the 80’s rock was dying out and missed out on being a huge band.  They have been going strong (off and on) since and I am looking forward to another great release from Danny Bowes and company.

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Friday New Releases – April 14th

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Happy Friday or should I say Good Friday!  Being Easter weekend probably explains the fact there are so few releases this Friday.  However, there is one special one that has my attention…the great Richie Kotzen.  Outside of that I might listen to Barenaked Ladies, but don’t know when and if I will get to others.  As usually my choices are highlighted in Blue.

  • 51yt9kcfX4L._AC_SY200_  Richie Kotzen – Salting Earth – (CD Baby):  Richie Kotzen is a true guitar wizard.  He is back with another solo album and I believe I have lost count after there have been so many.  He was incredible with Poison, Mr. Big and especially with The Winery Dogs and as a solo artist he is even better.  Check out what spells he is casting on this one.

  • 170x170bb (97)  Barenaked Ladies & The Persuasions – Ladies and Gentlemen: Barenaked Ladies & The Persuasions – (Raisin’ Records):  The Barenaked Ladies are collaborating with a cappella group The Persuasions.  The album consists of a lot of rewords from the Barenaked Ladies catalog and one cover of a Persuasion song.  Without Steven Page in the band anymore, are they really the same?  Don’t think so.

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Friday New Releases – April 7th

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We are now into April and the releases are still coming fast and furious.  There is a little something for everyone today and I am sure you will find something you like.  We have pop, rock, metal, country, alternative, christian, classical, techno…basically the whole gamut of genres.  My interests are focused on the ones highlighted in Blue.

  • 170x170bb-3  Michelle Branch – Hopeless Romantic – (Verve Label Group):  Michelle Branch??  Am I reading that correctly?  It has been over 14 years since she has had a full length solo album.  She had an E.P. in 2010, but not since 2003 has she had a full length studio album.  This one definitely has me intrigued.  I can’t wait to hear what she has to offer.

  • 610grn7amsl-_ac_us160_  Deep Purple – InFinite – (Earmusic):  Deep Purple just keep on going after almost 50 years.  This is their twentieth studio release and quite possibly their last “Big” tour, whatever that means.  I think the band members currently (after many iterations) is Ian Paice, Roger Glover, Ian Gillan, Steve Morse and Don Alrey.  Looking forward to this release after hearing some great things about the album.

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King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – ‘Flying Microtonal Banana’ – Album Review

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For those that follow my blog, they might remember one of my first Music Challenges where I listened to an album based off the band’s name, album cover or name of the album.  I picked King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s album strictly because of their band name.  And to my surprise, I really loved the album.  When I saw they had a new album out, I naturally gravitated toward it and gave it a spin…a lot of spins.

Their new album is called ‘Flying Microtonal Banana’ and is their 9th studio album since 2012..that is right…9th!!  They also are planning on releasing not one, not two, but FIVE albums this year. Pretty ambitious and we will wait and see if they actually able to achieve said goal.

The band is out of Australia and actually has seven members.

  • Stu Mackenzie – lead vocals
  • Ambrose Kenny Smith – keyboards/synthesizer
  • Joey Walker – lead guitar
  • Cook Craig – rhythm guitar
  • Lucas Skinner – bass guitar
  • Eric Moore – drums
  • Michael Cavanagh – drums

The current release has nine tracks and is as wild and experimental sounding as the last release.  Where the last release was one continuous song basically broken up into 9 parts and the music never stopped playing, this album went a little more traditional where you could tell when one song ended and the other began.

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Friday New Releases – March 31st

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It is the last Friday of the month and even the last day of the month.  There are over 20 albums on the list today including from some old times like Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan up to newcomers like La’Porsha Renae and Jackie Evancho (ok, she isn’t that new, but she is young).  There are also quite a couple 90’s artists back such as Jamiroquai and Ice T’s Body Count.  Only a few I am really interested in hearing right away and they are highlighted in Blue.  I hope there is something on this list that will brighten your day.  Friday new releases are just a great way to end a busy week.

  • 51ahfe18l2l-_ac_us160_  Brother Firetribe – Sunbound – (Spinefarm):  Yes, I know this album came out last week, but I had excluded it from the list for some strange reason. I wanted to highlight the release so I added it to this week’s new releases…Brother Firetribe comes to us from the great country of Finland.  They are a hard rock and AOR band and is a 5 piece band.  ‘Sunbound’ is their fourth release and after three previously stellar releases, I am looking forward to more magic from this band.

  • 170x170bb-5  Mastodon – Emperor of Sand – (Reprise Records):  Mastodon is heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia where I lived for 45 years prior to moving to Charlotte.  These guys are heavy metal and deliver the heavy to the extremes. They are unlike most bands I listen to and it is nice to change it up a little.  I have followed their career for awhile and can’t wait to give a listen.

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Friday New Releases – March 24th

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Are you ready for Friday New Releases?  There are an absolute abundance of records today.  So many to choose from and where the heck do you begin.  I have more I want to hear than I have any week this year.  It is going to be busy non-stop music week.  I hope there is something for you.  The ones I want are in Blue and I can’t wait to get started!!!!

  • 61olilqtlgl-_ac_us160_  Colton Dixon – Identity – (Sparrow):  Colton Dixon has finally returned with a new album.  Colton is a Christian artist and he is a former American Idol Alum, but don’t let any of that scare you away.  He is an amazing talent.  This album is broken up into three parts about the spiritual journey of your Body, Mind & Spirit and should be very interesting.

  • 170x170bb-19  James Blunt – The Afterlove – (Atlantic Records UK):  The fifth studio album from James Blunt drops today.  I have followed him since the beginning even after hearing “You’re Beautiful” way too many times.  He always delivers stellar songs and he has a unique voice that I enjoy over and over.

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John 5 & the Creatures – ‘Season of the Witch’ – Album Review

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John 5 is one of my favorite guitarists and there isn’t much of his work I don’t have.  I came across him while listening to Rob Zombie and from that point I was hooked.  I now have all his solo albums and a lot of his work with Marilyn Manson and of course, all his Rob Zombie albums.

He has done so much more with guest spots on so many albums including a couple on Ace Frehley’s last album, ‘Origins, Vol. 1’.  His real name is John William Lowery, but goes by John 5 thanks in large part to the stage name given to him while working with Marilyn Manson.  The name stuck and he has used it ever since.

He is now on his 8th solo album and this one is entitled ‘Season of the Witch’.  The darkness, morbid sound he had with both Rob & Marilyn is still prevalent on this album as well.  Once you are in the darkness, it must be hard to get out…however, you don’t want him to get out.  This is his speciality.

His band The Creatures consists of Ian Ross and Rodger Carter and together these 3 musicians take you on a nightmarish musical journey that is ‘Season of the Witch’.  The 13 track instrumental album takes you from metal all the way to evil bluegrass.  Strap yourself in and be prepared for the terror of John 5 & the Creatures.

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Friday New Releases – March 17th

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Happy Friday.  What are you in the mood to hear today?  You have a lot of variety and can listen to blues, rock, christian worship, classical pop, pop, alternative, metal and movie scores.  There are even a couple of 80’s bands back (Depeche Mode and Greg Kihn).  Whatever you like, let me know what floats your boat.  Mine are highlighted in Blue.

  • 170x170bb-22  Gary Clark Jr. – Live North America 2016 – (Warner Bros. Records):  This is probably the best one on the list.  Gary Clark Jr. live doesn’t get much better. If you haven’t heard him before, you are missing out.  He is a helluva a guitar player. He is blues, rock, soul, r&b and blends it all nicely together.  Listen to the video below and you will be like..DAMN!!! This man is awesome!!.

  • 170x170bb-3  Elevation Worship – There is a Cloud – (Elevation Church):  This church is just down the road from us and they do a great live show every year at the Spectrum Center that always sells out.  We have seen them several times at church (when we go) and they are amazing.  If you like Worship music, this is one of the better, more talented groups out there.

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Jack Russell’s Great White – ‘He Saw It Comin’ – Album Review

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Through the tragedies (Rhode Island night club fire), the legal battles over the band name, and even the health scares, Jack Russell has persevered.  Jack Russell’s Great White delivers a stellar album with ‘He Saw It Comin’.

The album is a huge surprise as I wasn’t expecting much, but man did Jack and the band exceed all expectations.  If you are expecting Great White, this is not that band.  Jack Russell has gone his own way.

The album doesn’t have a heavy sound throughout, but takes you on a journey through many different styles that cohesively fit together.  Jack raps briefly on “She Moves Me”, they completely rock out on “Spy Vs. Spy” (a throwback to MAD magazine?), have total fun with “Crazy”, and they doo-wop on “Godspeed”.

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