Category: News

Lady Gaga – Joanne (2016)- Album Review

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When Lady Gaga came on the scene back in 2008, I thought she was just a 21st Century Madonna.  Boy, was I wrong.  Where Madonna never really grew up in her music, Lady Gaga certainly has.

The album is eclectic in its musical styles, but they all blend nicely together in a very cohesive album.  She definitely has her pop/dance songs such as the first single “Perfect Illusions” to “A Yo” which would fit nicely on any P!nk album.

Lady Gaga rocks out on the coolest song of the album “John Wayne” and has a country-blues tinged song “Sinner’s Prayer”.  Her vocal maturity shows through on the exceptional songs “Joanne”, “Diamond Heart” and the heartbreaking love song “Million Reasons”.

One of the highlights is the song “Angel Down” that was inspired by Trayvon Martin. It is a very moving and sad song.  The only misstep I found was “Hey Girl’ with Florence Welch.  It is the one song I found flat musically and not very interesting.

For the album, she worked with Mark Ronson, Beck & Josh Homme (eclectic group) who helped her craft a well-rounded, sensational album.  I can now say I am officially a fan.

10 keepers out 11 songs – 91% (4.5 out 5 stars).

 

NOTE:  This is my first 200 word album review which was inspired by a challenge by Mike Ladano from way back in August. I am a little slow getting around to it.  Click on his name and check out his site.  It has tons of reviews and some awesome stories.

Dead or Alive’s Pete Burns Dies at 57

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The lead singer of Dead or Alive, Pete Burns, dies at age 57 of cardiac arrest.   Pete passed yesterday, Sunday, October 23rd.  The band Dead or Alive was most famous for the 80’s hit “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)”.  The song made it to #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1984 and was one of the more fun Pop/Dance songs that came out in the 80’s. It was in heavy rotation on MTV where the band’s look help propel them to success. They had another hit in 1986 that made it to #15 called “Brand New Lover”.  The band didn’t do much more in the states, but they will live in music history as everyone knows that song “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record).

Rest in Peace!

Friday New Releases – October 21st

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Friday again and we are definitely getting closer to Christmas as there are several Christmas albums on the new release schedule (and I don’t want to listen to any of them!!!).  Thank goodness there are some great rock releases as well. If you like women rockers, there are two great ones coming out today in The Pretty Reckless and The Pretenders.  So many to listen to and can’t wait to hear them. My choices are highlighted in Blue.

  • The-Pretty-Reckless-Who-You-Seeling-For-2016-226x226  Pretty Reckless – Who You Selling For – (Razor & Tie):  Taylor Momsen and gang are ready for the new hard rock release.  Taylor has a great voice that is perfect to rock out.  She is amazing and so is this band. High hopes for this one.

61paiql5ul-_ac_us160_  The Pretenders – Alone – (BMG):  This was an unexpected surprise. So excited that Chrissie Hynde is back. I have followed them since the early 80’s and love everything they do. This is a must for me.

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Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominations

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The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced the nominations for the 2017 induction ceremony today. There are a lot of great artists on this list and all deservedly so; however, only 5 will make it through. The nominees are as follows:

  • Bad Brains

  • Joan Baez

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Stryper – 30 Years of ‘To Hell With the Devil’

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Stryper is currently touring in support of the 30th Anniversary of their break-through album ‘To Hell With the Devil’.  The album was released back on October 24, 1986 and became the first Christian Metal album to go platinum.  It was the best selling Christian metal album all the way up to 2001 when P.O.D. outsold it with their album ‘Satellite’ (another great album).

The videos for the album were on regular rotation on MTV which was so unusual for a band that was labeled as Christian.  They actually made it cool to listen to music about Christ. They are the reason why I still listen to Christian music today (well Christ has a lot to do with it too).  Most Christian music was fairly boring and somewhat cheesy.  But not Stryper. They had screaming guitars, pounding drums, deep bass and soaring vocals. Perfect for the so called Glam era that was overtaking the radios at the time.

The band had its own gimmicks.  The hair of course…wow!!  The hairspray bill alone must of have been outrageous.  The most memorable was them wearing the yellow & black leather outfits during their shows (which they will don again during their anniversary tour for the album). The band also handed out bibles to the crowd (I never got one).  I did see them live on their tour in support of the next album ‘In God We Trust’, but was not close enough to get a bible.

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Maroon 5 – “Don’t Wanna Know” – New Song & New Video

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Maroon 5 dropped a new song and video today.  The song is “Don’t Wanna Know” and features Kendrick Lamar for just around 18 seconds.  Sadly, he isn’t in the video.  No announcement of a new album, but hopefully soon.

The song is pretty good and is growing on me.  The video is massively disturbing.  The band is dressed up as Pokemon characters and they are being chased all around by idiots with cellphones trying to capture them.  Obviously poking fun at Pokemon Go.  The video features Sarah Silverman and Vince Vaughn (probably because it was directed by the director the “Wedding Crashers” , David Dobkin.

With the video, I think they are also poking fun at how they probably feel with the media and crazed fans.  They are always dodging the paparazzi and getting bothered by fans wanting a picture or an autograph.  Maybe I am putting too much thought into it.

Alright, here is the video.  Give it a view just to see the strangeness that is going on.  Enjoy!

Friday New Releases – October 14th

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Another Friday and another long list of New Releases.  The wife has gone to Michigan to tour lighthouses with her parents and left me with the kids.  I am going to need something to listen to so I don’t go crazy this weekend.  Good thing there are a bunch I am interested in listening to…and they are highlighted in Blue!

  • cover170x170-1  Tenth Avenue North – Followers – (Provident):  Tenth Avenue North is a pop/rock Christian band out of Florida.  They have been playing since 2000, but their first album didn’t come out until 2008.  Now on their 5th album, I am expecting more of the same energy from the new album and looking forward to it.

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Bruno Mars – 24k Magic – New Song & New Album

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Bruno Mars is back with a new song, new video and an upcoming new album.  ’24k Magic’ is Bruno’s new album coming out on November 18th on Atlantic Records.  My daughter and I were listening to “Uptown Funk” a few weeks ago and were wondering when he would release something new and now we have an answer.

I have to admit that I love Bruno Mars and I am excited about some new music from him. The song is typical Bruno sound and pure pop magic.  I would imagine he puts on a great live show with all that energy he and the band always show.  Give it a spin and get out of your chair and dance baby!!

Friday New Releases – October 7th

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Another fantastic Friday of new releases.  There are so many albums coming out today that if you can’t find one you like, you are not looking hard enough.  Alter Bridge’s new album is the one I am going to get immediately and crank it up on the way to work.  The other ones I am interested in hearing are highlighted in Blue.  I talk about a few them, but there are just so many I want to listen to this week.  I hope I can get through them all.

  • 61ho1rFQ5fL._AC_US160_  Alter Bridge – The Last Hero – (Alter Bridge):  Alter Bridge is back and in full force.  They are one of the best rock bands out there and have the hardest working man in the music business as lead singer, Myles Kennedy.  He has one of the best voices for rock as well.  Mark Tremonti on guitars, Brian Marshall on Bass and Scott Philips on Drums…what else do you need.

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Bon Jovi – Tour Dates 2017

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Bon Jovi announced their new tour dates in support of their upcoming album ‘This House is Not For Sale’.  Not sure how excited I am about seeing them again as I have seen them several times.  Plus, they are not coming to Charlotte so I will not be traveling anywhere to see them.  But maybe you can.

People who have seen them in concert recently have already heard the whole album, but I have only heard three songs off the new album. Two are okay “This House is Not For Sale” and “Knockout”.  The third song, “Labor of Love”, is just plain awful. Nothing is GREAT!! so far.  Here is to still holding out a little hope for some great songs.

Bon Jovi Tour Dates

February 8 – Greenville, SC @ Bon Secours Wellness Arena
February 10 – Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena
February 12 – Sunrise, FL @ BB&T Center
February 14 – Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena
February 16 – Birmingham, AL @ BJCC
February 18 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
February 19- St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center
February 21 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Chesapeake Energy Center
February 23- Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
February 25- Las Vegas, NV @ T-Mobile Arena
February 28- Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center
March 1 – San Jose, CA @ SAP Center
March 4 – Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Arena
March 5 – San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena
March 8 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
March 14 – Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
March 16 – Memphis, TN @ FedExForum
March 18 – Columbus, OH @ Nationwide Arena
March 19 – Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena
March 22 – Indianapolis, IN @ Bankers Life Fieldhouse