Friday New Releases – August 11th

Happy Friday!  My busy season is just a couple weeks from being over and I can’t wait.  I need some new music to get me through it, but it is a very weak week.  Well, all except for one and it is highlighted in Blue.  I hope there is something for you.  Luckily I still have a few from last week to get through in more detail.

  • 51CDRf5FgHL._AC_US218_  Will Hoge – Anchors – (Bordello Records):  One of my favorite singer/songwriters is Will Hoge and I love it when he puts out new music so I am super excited about this one.  He is the man!!  I think he is one of the best songwriters out there today and you must check him out.  He is a little bit of rock, a little bit of country and a little bit of folk.  He is a little bit of everything.  I believe this is his 10th studio release if you count his two independent releases from early on in his career.  He also has a bunch of E.P.s and Live albums.

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Friday New Releases – August 4th

Thank goodness July is over.  The Friday new releases were limited during July, but things start to pick up in a big way in August.  There are some great ones coming out today to get your month started out just right.  As I am in the midst of busy season at work, these releases will help get through it.  Hopefully there is something for you.  My picks are highlighted in Blue.

  • 51pk40Y5iKLDEF LEPPARD – 30th Anniversary Edition of HYSTERIA!!! – (Mercury):  It is hard to believe it has been 30 years since this release.  Amazing how time flies.  This album sounds just as good now as it did back then.  It is a classic.  With songs like “Women”, “Animal”, “Armageddon It”, “Love Bites”, “Hysteria” and “Pour Some Sugar On Me”, you have the ultimate rock album.  There is only one edition to buy for me and it is the full on edition with 5 CDs, 2 DVDs, a couple books and everything you would want.  You have to get this!!!!  I already have and it will be there when I get home from work.

  • 61yXrpnKLCL._AC_US218_  The Winery Dogs – Dog Years Live in Santiago & Beyond 2013-2016 – (Loud & Proud Records).  Three outstanding musicians bring us their first live album.  Richie Kotzen, Mike Portnoy and Billy Sheehan make up The Winery Dogs and I couldn’t be more excited to grab this.  If you haven’t heard them, you are definitely missing out.  Give this one a listen!!  This should also be waiting on me when I get home!!!

  • 61UOXBW-THL._AC_US218_  Kryptonite – Kryptonite – (Frontiers Records SRL):  Frontiers Records has a way of bringing people together.  This group brings Jakob Samuel (The Poodles), Pontus Egberg (Treat), Robban Back (Moustasch) and Mike Palace (Palace) together to form a sort of supergroup.  I really love Jakob Samuel and The Poodles, so anything he does really peaks my interest.  Heres to hoping for something special.

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Friday New Releases – July 28th

It is the last Friday of the month and it has been a slow month.  And it is another Friday where there isn’t a ton of releases, but there are at least a few I am interested in and those are highlighted in Blue.  If you like Rock, Pop, Metal, Country, Christian, Electronic and even old time rock & roll, there is a little for everyone.

  • 51ZBD6E9HnL._AC_US218_  Alice Cooper – Paranormal – (EarMusic):  The Man, The Myth, The Legend, Alice Cooper is back with his 27th or so album.  How many artists can say that??  I have seen and heard a lot of buzz about this one and I am actually excited to get this one.  I can’t wait to hear what is in store with this one.

  • 617WoFX2ojL._AC_US218_  Seventh Day Slumber – Found – (VSR):  The Christian rock band from Texas is here to bring us more of their post-grunge, hard rock.  I haven’t heard anything of this one yet (haven’t watched the video either) so waiting to be surprised when the full album is out.  I am generally not disappointed by anything they have released over the last 12 years.

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Friday New Releases – July 21st

Happy Friday.  I am in a very busy season at work and I need some new music to listen to so I can make it through this time.  Sadly, not a whole lot I am interested in this week.  I hope there is something for you.  Mine are highlighted in Blue

  • 170x170bb-68  Mr. Big – Defying Gravity – (Frontiers Records Srl):  Can’t wait to play this one.  Mr. Big has been back in a “big” way since 2010.  Now they do take 3-4 years between records, but it is better than the 9 years prior to that.  Either way, it is just great to get new music from this very talented band of musicians.  When ever you can have Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheenan, Pat Torpey and Eric Martin together, you have to be excited.  The opening bass line of this song is unbelievable and has definitely got me excited about this one.

  •  61b+59Pq0CL._AC_US218_  Europe – The Final Countdown 30th Anniversary Show: Live at the Roundhouse – (Hell & Back Recordings):  Say it isn’t so…30 years…REALLY!!  Damn!  I am getting old.  If you don’t know, Europe has been doing their thing for all this time and I am happy to see a live album to celebrate The Final Countdown.  This will definitely get a few spins.  I didn’t see a video for this so might as well show “The Final Countdown”.

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King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – ‘Murder of the Universe’ – Album Review

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard are on ambitious trek to release 5 albums in one year. ‘Murder of the Universe’ is the second one so far.  Their first, which I reviewed, was “Flying Microtonal Banana” and I found it to be a sensational record.  Go check out the review.  I also review their album “Nonagon Infinity” which was another great album.

This, their tenth album, is a concept album and the concept is so far out there, that I can’t eloquently explain it.  I will have to let someone else’s words do the work for me.  I do know the album is broken out into three separate chapters.  The first two chapters are narrated by Leah Senior and she has an almost godlike personae.  The final chapter is narrated by a Free Text to Speech at NaturalReaders.com.  It sounds like the typed the story into the website and it did the narration.  Very interesting.

Outside of that I can’t describe this album’s story.  I will leave it to Wikipedia to do that for me…

The first (chapter), The Tale of the Altered Beast explores themes of temptation, and tells a tale of a human who stumbles upon a mystical human/beast hybrid, dubbed the Altered Beast. The story starts from the perspective of the human being pursued, who slowly takes interest in the idea of being altered – as it is considered taboo in their society. The perspective then changes to the Altered Beast’s itself, who is filled with murderous intent to kill. The human encountered by the beast slowly gives into temptation into becoming altered once the beast confronts them, as they crave power. Accepting of their fate, the beast and human merge, creating a newly altered beast, who now craves even more for flesh. However, the beast suffers greatly from absorbing another conscience – it loses track of its identity and eventually dies of insanity, decaying into the earth.

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Friday New Releases – July 14th

It’s Friday!! And dang it has been hot!  What is not hot is the lack of releases today.  There are only 2 new ones I care about and 1 greatest hits package, other than that I don’t really see much I want to hear.  The ones I want are highlighted in Blue.

  • 61Iht-lpO7L._AC_US218_  12 Stones – Picture Perfect – (Cleopatra Records):  After being absent for the last 5 years, 12 Stones bring us their 5th studio album.  12 Stones is a Christian Rock, Post-Grunge/Alternative band that started around 2000.  Only two original members remain, but the new single “Picture Perfect” sounds promising.  Give it a listen and then check them out.

  • 81m20d6qF+L._AC_UL115_  Lifehouse – Greatest Hits:  One of my favorite bands to come along since 2000 and can basically do no wrong in my book…or at least haven’t yet.  If you aren’t familiar with them than there is no better way to learn about them than a greatest hits package.  All the hits are there.  They are a pop/rock band and I am sure you have heard one of their songs before.  If you like, the albums will be better as you can dive into their deep cuts which is where they really shine.  I didn’t know which video to pick so I ended up with this great duet with Natasha Bedingfield

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Imagine Dragons – ‘Evolve’ – Album Review

After taking 2016 off as a little break, Imagine Dragons is back on the scene with their 3rd studio album, ‘Evolve’.  After the overwhelming success of their debut, ‘Night Visions’, the 2nd album, ‘Smoke + Mirror’s, was not as successful and didn’t have as big of hits.  It was still a successful album, so hard to call it a sophomore slump.  Now on their third album, there is a little pressure to come out swinging.

‘Evolve’ is a true evolution of their sound, but they do deliver some outstanding pop rock music.  The music is actually a little bordering on arena rock, but since the guitars aren’t the main focus or real drums I guess it is a more of an electronica version of arena rock. I hear more electronic keyboards and drum machines than actual guitars or drums.

The first half of this album is why I call it arena rock.  It is full of slick productions and pounding beats that give it that arena rock feel.  It is one of the best opening 5 songs of any pop rock album out this year.  The second half is a little all over the place and no real direction.

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Friday New Releases – July 7th

Happy Friday!  For those of us in the States, we celebrated our Independence Day on July 4th and now it is time to celebrate Friday New Releases.  Go grab a new album and let me know what you get.  This Friday, there are not a ton of releases and only a couple I want to check out…they are highlighted in Blue. I hope you find something you like.

  • 170x170bb-69  Riverdogs – California – (Frontiers Records Srl):  Def Leppard’s own Vivian Campbell and the other Riverdogs bring us their first new album in 6 years.  They are blues based, hard rock band and they never disappoint.  This will be the one I run to first and give it a listen.

  • 170x170bb  All 41 – World’s Best Hope – (Frontiers Records Srl): Frontiers Records is a great record company and they are known for bringing great artist together for a special project and this is no exception.  The band has Terry Brock from Giant & Strangeways on lead vocals: Robert Berry from Three & Alliance on bass and lead vocals; Gary Pihl from Boston, Sammy Hagar & also Alliance on guitar; and lastly, Matt Starr from Ace Frehley’s band and Mr. Big on drums.  I will give it a listen.

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Friday New Releases – June 30th

It is the last Friday of June and I have vacation time coming my way.  Not much coming out this week and thankfully that is the case as I won’t have time much over the next week to listen to anything.  The ones I am curious about are highlighted in Blue.  Hopefully you find something you like…if so, let me know.

  • 170x170bb-48  Stone Sour – Hydrograd – (Roadrunner Records):  Corey Taylor (from Slipnot) and crew are back with their sixth studio album.  Talk is this will be more of a straight up rock and roll record which I am not sure what that will mean, but we will see what their definition of a Rock & Roll record is.  Looking forward to giving it a spin.

  • 51u9Y6CGJ8L._AC_US218_  Don Barnes – Ride the Storm – (MelodicRock Records):  Don Barnes from .38 Special finally gets to release his solo album from 1989.  Thanks to MelodicRock Records (& Melodicrock.com).  I am eager to hear what we missed from so long ago.  Apparently the album was never released due to the label (A&M Records) being sold.  I don’t know if it got lost in the shuffle or it wasn’t good enough that the new company didn’t want to release it.  We will soon find out.

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Friday New Releases – June 23rd

Happy Friday!  I hope your Summer is going well.  This week has very few releases that are on my radar so not a lot to choose from.  There are a couple that will get a spin and maybe I can catch up on all the releases earlier in the month.  The ones I will listen to are highlighted in Blue…as usual.

  • 170x170bb-60  Imagine Dragons – Evolve – (Interscope):  The pop/rock band is back with their third studio release.  After breaking on to the scene in 2012 with “Radioactive, they hope to capture the magic yet again.  If “Believer” is any indication of what is to come, we should have another great release.

  • 170x170bb-33  King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – Murder of the Universe – (Flightless Records):  King Gizzard returns with their 2nd album of 2017.  The first ‘Flying Microtonal Banana’ was exceptional and can they repeat the magic so quickly?  We will see.  Plus, they intend to release 4 to 5 albums this year so they better get moving as we are almost half way through the year.  This album appears to be quite different from the last as it is broken up into 3 chapters to tell an overall story I am assuming. I will have to wait and hear I guess.  NOTE: Video has a warning that if you are susceptible to seizures, DO NOT watch the video.

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