Friday New Releases – Aug. 5th

I can’t believe it is August already.  This year has flown.  And it is time for yet another Friday of new releases.  A couple of albums I am really excited to hear – The Dead Daisies and Skillet.  There are also a bunch I will try to listen to as well.  As usual, all the ones I am interested in the most are highlighted in Blue.  It appears it is a Hard Rock Friday for me.

  • 61+XgETNCSL._AC_US160_  The Dead Daisies – Make Some Noise – (SPV) – The Dead Daisies are are Super Group mixed with Australian and American musicians.  There have been several rotations in the band and on this album the band consists of David Lowy (Mink), Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio & Burning Rain), Marco Mendozza (Whitesnake, Blue Murder & Black Star Riders), John Corabi (Motley Crue, The Scream) and Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Ozzy, Billy Idol).  This should be another great release with such great musicians.

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Friday New Releases – July 29th

July has been lackluster with the number of albums out mainly due to August & September being such huge release months.  There are some good ones coming out this week, at least I hope they are good.  The ones that have my interest peaked the most are in blue.

  • 517YSRrNH9L._AC_US160_  3 Pill Morning – Never Look Back – (Countdown Ent):  3 Pill Morning followed me on Twitter so I gave their music a listen and I have to say I am really excited about their new album.  If you haven’t heard of them, you should check them out.  What type of music, well they have toured with Theory of a Deadman, Shinedown, Blackstone Cherry, Saving Abel, Fozzy and others so that should give you a good idea.

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Needtobreathe – Hard Love – Album Review – 91%

‘Hard Love’ is Needtobreathe’s sixth studio album and one I have been anticipating for quite awhile.  Needtobreathe is one of my favorite bands and their last album wasn’t one of my favorite albums they have done.  It had a darker tone and overall message and didn’t leave with me the great feeling I usually have with a Needtobreathe album.

When I heard about the new album, I was hoping they would lighten up a little and to my surprise they did more than that.  They actually did deliver a much lighter, happier sounding album, but so much so that it feels more like a pop album.  A POP ALBUM???  Needtobreathe is a southern rock, country, folk and straight up rock band.  They are a Christian based band. They are not a POP Band.  Maybe working with Gavin DeGraw on the song “Brother” influenced them greatly.

If you listen to their songs on this album, there is a drum machine.  Not real drums, but a freakin’ drum machine.  And dance grooves on some of the songs.  WTF???  My mind is spinning, what is going on.  The world has gone crazy!.

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Friday New Releases – July 22nd

This is a very quiet week for new releases.  Only one new one that I am eager to hear, Leeland’s ‘Invisible’.  There are 2 greatest hits that you should check out if you don’t have all their stuff already – Dio and Dragonforce.  Outside of that, not real excited about the others.

  • 515hrNs8fbL._AC_US160_  Leeland – Invisible – (Provident) – It has been about 5 years since their last album. The band’s line-up has changed significantly and only 2 members left.  If you like Christian music, they are worth giving a listen.

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Friday New Releases – July 15th

I have been waiting for this Friday since I found out Needtobreathe was releasing a new album.  That pretty much means I don’t give a rat’s ass about anything else coming out today.  There are some I will check out after several days of listening to ‘Hard Love’.  Those will be highlighted in Blue.

  • needtobreathe-hard-love  Needtobreathe – Hard Love – (Atlantic):  Nothing else matters.  This is the release to check out.  They have been one of my favorite, if not my favorite, band over the last decade.  “Happiness” is classic Needtobreathe so I have high expectations this release.

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Carey Durham – Mr. Music – Album Spotlight

I used to work with Carey in Atlanta until I moved up to our corporate offices in Charlotte. About 2-3 weeks ago, I ran into Carey in our Charlotte office not realizing he had moved up here a few months earlier (he is working in a different building than I am which is why I hadn’t seen him earlier). I also came to find out that he had released his first full length album back in April 2016.

Now I knew Carey was an extremely talented violinist, as he has performed at company events, but the extent of his talent I had no idea.  He was kind enough to supply me with a copy of his album and I told him I would give it a listen. Let me tell you that I am so glad I did.  I was blown away by the musicianship, the vocals and the production of the album.

How would I describe his album ‘Mr. Music’?  I would say it is a blend of hip-hop, jazz, R&B and a little blues.  A total fusion of many different types of music. The flow of the album is exceptional and it will really put you in a great mood. What I also like about the album is its broad appeal to audiences.  My wife and I both loved it and both of daughters as well. I think that speaks to the fact that really good music can impact anyone and everyone.

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Switchfoot – “If the House Burns Down Tonight”

Here is my 2nd song I was going to share from their new album “Where the Light Shines Through”.  I am only sharing this one because it is my new FAVORITE song.  I heard it and was instantly in love with this song.

It starts out with slow burn and then is a blazing fire of rock.  It spoke to me because as I was listening to the lyrics, I immediately thought that if my house did burn down, I would be okay with it as long as my beautiful wife and kids were by my side.  They are all that matters to me.  None of my personal belongings matter and they aren’t going to remember me when I am gone.

I think people lose sight of that and think they must have the latest and greatest and most expensive item because they feel it defines them, but it is your family, friends and who you are to them that defines you.  I am proud to be a husband to my wife and a father to my kids and friend to my friends.

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Switchfoot – “Looking For America (feat. Lecrae)”

The new Switchfoot album,’Where the Light Shines Through’, is incredible and there were 2 songs that really spoke to me that I have to share.  The first one is “Looking for America (Feat. Lecrae)”.  The second one I will post tomorrow.

“Looking for America” is so timely for the tragic events of this week.  First the tragic killings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling by the police and then last night’s equally tragic killings of 5 police officers in Dallas, Tx.  Words can not express how I feel about these events and I feel this great country is losing itself.  When I heard this song, I pushed repeat and continued listening to it the whole drive home from work.

I know the song isn’t about the killings this past week, but about America’s problems overall.  However, it is seems so relevant for what is currently going on that I felt I needed to share.

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Friday New Releases – June 8th

I don’t have a long list of releases, but there are some I have been waiting on for awhile like Chevelle and Switchfoot.  Plus a few more that I can’t wait to hear which are all listed in Blue.

  • 51N-+Um45UL._AC_US160_  Chevelle – The North Corridor – (Epic):  It has been 2 years since their last release, so I am excited for some new music from these guys.  The songs I have heard so far, have been great.  I hope the rest of the album is as well.

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The Dirty Clergy – Rattlesnake – Album Spotlight

The Dirty Clergy release their new album,’Rattlesnake’, today (July 1st).  They are five guys from Winfield, Alabama who have come together to deliver a solid, straight-up rock album.  ‘Rattlesnake’ is their second album and released on Happy Daze Records.

The production quality of this album is what I would call simple.  There are no extraneous, unnecessary pieces added to the production.  It is raw, gritty and has a live quality to the whole album.  You can hear the drums, the guitars, and the bass equally.  Nothing overpowers the other and makes for a great full sound.

Pub 1

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