Category: News

Everywhere – “Man Up” feat. Rebecca Nohr

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Everywhere is back with a brand new single called “Man Up”.  If you remember from last year, I featured their fabulous E.P., Fiction Act, which you can check out by clicking on the album name.

The song is a high energy pop song with a heavy European, electronic sound that makes you want to get out of your chair and hit the dance floor.  The song features the lovely voice of Swedish singer and songwriter, Rebecca Nohr.  She adds a new flavor to their sound and she nicely compliments Max Berga’s vocals.  As discussed below, the song “Man Up” is about just that…being a Man and how hard it is to live up to that standard with what life throws at you.

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Chris Stapleton – From A Room: Volume 1 – Album Review

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Finally, a Country album worth writing about.  I can not stand the pop country music that is played on the radio today.  It is all fluff and no substance.  Country music should make you feel something and tell a great story.  The only thing I feel with most of country music today is…well…nothing.  That is the problem.

That changed with the appearance of Chris Stapleton on to the scene.  He is what Country music should be.  With his first album, ‘Traveller’, back in 2015, Chris brought the old school brand of Country music back for everyone to enjoy.  He was one of the most talked about new artist to come around in a long, long time.  The funny thing is he really isn’t new as he has been a songwriter for years, but was finally able to break through as a solo artist.

‘From A Room: Volume 1’ was recorded Nashville at the famed RCA Studio A where some of the greats recorded such as Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.  Their spirit is heard throughout the album and brings back the old school Country music that we have longed to hear for years.

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Friday New Releases – May 12th

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Happy Friday!!  Quite a few I am interested to listen to this week.  Not sure how much merit they have, but I still want to give a listen.  There is a little something for everyone as there is rock, country, pop, hip hop and even a TV show soundtrack.  I hope there is something for you.  I have quite a few I want to at least give one listen to just to try it out and those will be highlighted in Blue, as usual.

  • 51atuZsoUGL._AC_US218_  Harem Scarem – United – (Frontiers Records Srl):  This Toronto, Canada band is out with yet another release just three years after their last one.  I believe this is number 14 or 15, I have lost count they have so many.  Down here in the U.S., they are not a household name mainly because they came out as this type of music was killed off by Grunge.  If you haven’t heard of them, check them out as I am sure they have something you will like.  I only discovered them about 10+ years ago and I am so glad I did.  I now have every album and even some rarer ones.  I can’t wait for this one and haven’t heard any song yet as I want to hear it all at once.  They video below is posted without me even viewing it first.

  • 170x170bb-99  Zac Brown Band – Welcome Home – (Elektra Records):  I am not a huge country fan and find myself criticizing a lot of the current country cowboys that are there as they are are too polished and songs are pure and utter crap.  Zac Brown is so not that for me.  He is what I do like about country.  I am eager to hear this one.

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Colton Dixon – Identity (Deluxe Edition – 2017) – Album Review

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Colton Dixon is one of the rising stars in the Christian genre.  As everyone always has to mention, he is a former American Idol contestant who finished in 7th place on Season 11. Now on his third album, the maturity and vocal talent are hitting their peak. Colton has been growing with each release and ‘Identity’ shows definitely shows that growth.

‘Identity’ is a very ambitious album for this young singer.  The Deluxe Edition is a startling 17 tracks and is a loosely based concept album.  I say loosely as the album doesn’t tell a story from beginning to end, but appears to be broken into three parts with the songs representing that theme.  The three themes are “The Mind”, “The Body” and “The Spirit”.

“The Mind”

The first part of the album is “The Mind”.  The album starts off with the Interlude called “The Mind” which is an instrumental piece with angel like voiceovers by a female and male voiceover giving you the theme of the section.  It is actually quite great.  The song transitions seamlessly into the title track “Identity”.  The four songs in this section are all pop songs that in one shape or another are representative of the mind.

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Friday New Releases – May 5th

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The first Friday in May is upon us and there is not a ton of stuff out this week.  There are a few artists I am interested in and a bunch I am not.  Hopefully you can find something you will like.  The ones I will listen to first are highlighted in Blue (as usual).

  • 170x170bb-15  Chris Stapleton – From A Room: Volume 1 – (Mercury Records):  In only his 2nd release, Chris Stapleton seems like he has been around awhile…which he has but not as a solo artist.  After the huge success of his debut album I am really interested in hearing what he now brings us.  I actually hope it is more of the same as his first album was spectacular.  If the first single is any indication of what is to come, then we are in for a treat.

  • 170x170bb-8  Blondie – Pollinator – (Noble ID, LLC):  Debby Harry and group are back again with another new release.  This is their 11th studio album and honestly i am surprised (and glad) that they are still putting out albums.  There are still 3 original members including Debby so I guess that still makes a complete enough band to make them still worth hearing and not a Debby Harry solo album.

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MercyMe – Lifer (2017) – Album Review

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For those that don’t know, MercyMe is a Christian rock/pop band out of Texas who have been tearing up the Christian charts since 2001.  You might know them and not know it. Back in 2001, they had a crossover hit to mainstream radio with the song “I Can Only Imagine”.  This was the song that introduced me to the band and has made me a fan ever since.

Back on March 31, 2017, MercyMe has brought us their 8th studio album (this does not include the 6 independent releases they had before signing with a major label).  Their new album ‘Lifer’ has another batch of catchy songs that celebrate Christ, and life in general, but in a way that does not feel preachy.  It actually feels fun and not slammed down your throat. ‘Lifer’ is really a party album that will make you dance, celebrate and might actually make you feel good.

With the way modern radio is, we probably won’t see another Christian crossover song and that is a crying shame.  I preach about this on every Christian album I review.  The mainstream media won’t play Christian music because it is taboo for some reason.  They feel Christian music should be relegated to the Christian only radio stations.  My problem with that is people are missing good music…sorry…GREAT MUSIC!!!  Who cares if the topic is God or Jesus or anything Christian.  The message is way better than the crap that is being played right now.  The world could use a little positivity right about now.  It is always doom and gloom.  Sorry…Got off topic there for a second.  Please forgive me.

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Friday New Releases – April 28th

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It is the last Friday of April…amazing how time flies.  We have a lot of albums coming out today, but nothing that really excites me.  I will pick a couple to listen to, but it looks like a good week to get caught up on previously released albums from the last couple weeks. I hope you can find something that tickles your fancy.  Mine are highlighted in Blue.

  • 170x170bb-49  John Mellencamp – Sad Clowns & Hillbillies – (John J. Mellencamp):  Always a fan of the former Mr. Cougar.  Whatever he puts out I always give a spin and see what he has to offer. I haven’t heard anything yet so not sure what to expect.  I do know it is his 23rd release and will feature Carlene Carter throughout.  We will see…or I guess we will hear soon enough.

  • 170x170bb (82)  The Cranberries – Something Else – (The Cranberries & BMG): It has been 5 years since a Cranberries release and that is way too long to go between albums especially for a band as talented as them.  Glad to get some new material even if it is only 3 new songs.  The rest are acoustic and orchestral versions of 10 previous hits. I am not overly greedy so I will be happy with the 3 new singles even thought I would have preferred a full album of new songs.

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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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Turntables & Vinyl #7 – Record Store Day – April 22, 2017

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Today is the 10th Anniversary of Record Store Day.  My daughter and I didn’t get up too early to head down to our local record stores, but it was early for us on a Saturday.  We left the house around 8am to get to Lunchbox Records which was to open at 9am.  We knew it would be crowded, but we had NO IDEA!!!!

We arrived around 8:40am and the place was absolutely PACKED!!  The  line stretched around another building and turned and started going down the street.  There had to be over 200 people in line.  I am not a patient man, so this didn’t sit well with me.  I decided to head over to Repo Records as they would normally open at 10am and I would see what their line looked like.  Luckily it was just down the street about 5-8 minutes.

We arrived around 8:45-50 (I don’t remember exactly and it is really not key to the story).  The line was really good.  It had only about 40 people, so we figured we would wait it out.  It turns out they had just opened and were only letting a few people in at a time so we timed it perfectly.

IMG_0071

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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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