Category: Pop Music

Friday New Releases – March 11, 2022

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic34 Comments

Happy Friday!! We have a lot of releases this week for you and a bunch I want this week which hasn’t been the case lately. All my choices are highlighted in Blue. Let me know what you are interested in hearing this weekend and let me know what I may have missed. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great weekend.

  • 81z+yoN944L._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Kiss – Off The Soundboard: Live In Virginia Beach 2004 – (Universal Music / Simstan Music): Kiss is now on their second in the Off the Soundboard Series and rumor has it we might be getting 2 more this year and I am excited about that. I hope they start going back further like with the Ace & Peter years or even Eric & Bruce would be great. But I will take this for now.
  • 91nwlc-kmvL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Ghost – Impera – (Loma Vista Recordings / Concord): It is hard to believe that it has been 4 years since Ghost last album, I hadn’t heard of them prior to that one, but I loved ‘Prequelle’ so I am excited to see what Tobias Forge has in store for us this time around.
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The Original vs. The Cover vs. The Cover – “Without You”

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This version of The Original vs. The Cover is going to be 3 songs. The song is the classic “Without You” and we will kick it off with the original by the band Badfinger. Now, I have to admit, I thought the original was by Harry Nilsson and didn’t realize his was a cover. So, Harry is up next. Lastly, we will throw in one of the most successful covers by the great Mariah Carey. The song was written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans from the band Badfinger.

Pete Ham was originally writing a song called “If It’s Love”, but the song didn’t have a good chorus. When he was getting ready to leave the studio one day, Tom Evans stopped him and said he had an idea for a song. Peter was supposed to go out with his girlfriend, well his girlfriend knew him well and knew he would not be able to focus so she made him stay behind. Tom was working on a song with the chorus “Can’t live if living is without you”. The two parts were like chocolate and peanut butter. Apart they are good, but together they are perfect. The two didn’t think much of the song but apparently it has now been covered by over 180 artist.

On a side note and after effect of the song, Both Ham and Evans later committed suicide due to legal and financial reasons. Evans reason for the suicide seemed to be related to the royalties on this song which makes it a pretty sad tale.

BADFINGER

The Badfinger song came out on November 9, 1970 and was on their album ‘No Dice’. It is was a guitar ballad and had some heavy bass and both electric and acoustical accompaniment. Ham and Evans both take on lead vocal duties. It has that classic 60’s/70’s rock vibe to it and there is a punch to as the song progresses. There is a yearning to the vocals and you can feel the pain of that broken heart. It is a rather effective song and why I wasn’t overly familiar with it before I have no idea.

HARRY NILSSON

Harry Nilsson covered the song a year later on his 1971 album ‘Nilsson Schmilsson’. The song was released on October 11, 1971 and the song went all the way to #1 on Billboard Charts. Harry’s version turns the song in to a piano ballad giving it it an airy atmostpheric feel. The bass groove that lies just behind the lyrics is impactful and soulful. And when the chorus explodes it is so much more dramatic and he owns the pain and sorrow in those vocals. It is almost cathartic and you know he feels better after singing it. The song might be even more effective than the original and he even shaved a minute off the song. Harry truly owns this one and has probably the most recognizable version…at least for 20+ years.

MARIAH CAREY

Then on January 24, 1994, Mariah Carey releases her version of the song from her 1994 album ‘Music Box’. A whole new generation would now be introduced to the song which only went to #3 on the Billboard Charts. Mariah’s version is based off Harry’s as it is mostly a biting piano song with some heavy, heavy bass added to it. Almost too much bass. Her vocals soar and hit notes that Harry would only dream of, however, her vocals, though beautiful, don’t capture the emotion of the song. I feel she is singing it, but not feeling it.

THE VERDICT

Based on the above, I am torn between Badfinger’s version and Harry Nilsson’s version. As I said Mariah, she sings it beautifully but she doesn’t feel the song. And if I am basing on who “feels” the song and makes it believable, I guess I would go with Harry Nilsson’s version. He truly owned it and made it his own. Changing it to a piano based song really turned up the feels and you believed he felt the pain and sorrow of those lyrics. Badfinger is a very close second as I do love the guitar and bass work on the original. I hate they didn’t get the recognition they truly deserved for creating such a beautiful and powerful song.

I am really interested in hearing what everyone else thinks of these two songs.  Let me know which version you like the best and why.  Feel free to leave a comment and talk about the song and tell me how right or wrong I am on this one.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

LYRICS:

“Without You”

Well, I can’t forget this evening
And your face when you were leaving
But I guess that’s just the way the story goes
You always smile, but in your eyes your sorrow shows
Yes, it shows

Well, I can’t forget tomorrow
When I think of all my sorrow
I had you there, but then I let you go
And now it’s only fair that I should let you know
What you should know

[CHORUS:]
I can’t live, if living is without you
I can’t live, I can’t give anymore
I can’t live, if living is without you
I can’t live, I can’t give anymore

Well, I can’t forget this evening
And your face when you were leaving
But I guess that’s just the way the story goes
You always smile, but in your eyes your sorrow shows
Yes, it shows

[guitar solo]

[CHORUS x3]

I can’t live, if living is without you.

Friday New Releases – March 4, 2022

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic34 Comments

Happy Friday! Welcome to a huge list of New Releases just for you. There is so much on here that I believe there is something for everyone even if there is nothing I am running out and buying. I will listen to a few when I have a chance and maybe I’ll end up getting later. Take a look and let me know what you’d like to hear or what I may have missed as it does happen. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

  • 91DsZbI9hwL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Band of Horses – Things Are Great – (Huger Lewis & the Dudes / BMG)
  • A1oPJF6rDCL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Stereophonics – Oochya – (Stylus Records / Ignition Records)
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February 2022 Purchases – Vinyl & CDs

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February is over so it is time for our monthly round-up of what 2 Loud 2 Old Music got their hands on this month and it was another banner month. It all started with a trip to the antique mart called Sleepy Poets. My daughter loves that place and I don’t mind because there are records and I found a couple good ones. One was the only early Stryper album I was missing and the other was one of my mother’s favorite bands Air Supply so I had to buy it. I miss her a lot so it will be something in my collection that when I am really, really missing her I can pull out and play.

Then the following week, my daughter wanted to hit more antique shops as she loves to find old vintage clothes at not a too ridiculous of a price. The first place we hit in Mathews said it was an antique place, but really it was a record store and now I have another great place to go buy albums!! Yeah me!! I found some great vinyl, CDs, singles and cassettes…they had it all. First are the albums, which are an early pressing of Mariah Carey’s debut on vinyl and a Billy Idol 12″ Single of Mony Mony.

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Friday New Releases – February 25, 2022

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I can’t believe we are already to the last Friday of February. This year is already flying by. The good news is that it feels like the new releases come faster and faster. This month there are over 50 to go through and that should keep you busy for a while. There are three I’m interested in hearing and the are highlighted in Blue. Let me know what you want to hear this week and let us know if we missed anything. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

  • 81dU-Br4D3L._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Scorpions – Rock Believer – (Vertigo Berlin / Universal Music): Our favorite German rock band is still going strong after around 50 years together. And these guys can still kick some major ass. I am really looking to hear this, but don’t expect a review for a very long time as I am saving it for the Scorpions Collection Review Series that will start later this year.
  • 61pLU2Q97SL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Corey Taylor – CMFB…Sides – (Roadrunner Records): The Slipnot frontman is at it again and as much as I love his CMFT album, I am eager to hear this one. I believe it is a covers album, but I am okay with it. And based on the cover, I think we will see a Kiss Cover on this thing.
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Friday New Releases – February 18, 2022

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic16 Comments

Happy Friday. Here we are with another Friday New Release post. I feel like we just had one of these last week…oh wait…we did and do every week. We have over 40 this week and sadly, nothing for me this time around which is good as I need a break every now and again plus there is a big one next week I am waiting to hear. Let me know what interests you and what I may have missed as I am sure there will be some. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a great weekend.

  • 71SA-UtjmzL._AC_UL640_FMwebp_QL65_  Shovels & Rope – Manticore – (Dualtone Music Group)
  • 81Cb8V3oatL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Beach House – Once Twice Melody – (Sub Pop Records)
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Friday New Releases – February 11, 2022

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic30 Comments

Happy Friday…you made it another week…AMAZING!! As your reward we have a long list of new releases for you this week. I hope there is something in there that is music to your ears. I have a handful I want to check and I will mark those in Blue. Let me know what you want to hear this week or let me know if I missed anything even though I have over 50, it is bound to happen. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

  • download-8  Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators – 4 – (Snakepit Records / Gibson Records / BMG): Slash and Myles together again…is it possible to have burnout on these two?? I am not sure I am there yet, but getting close. However, I will check this one out as I like Slash and I like Myles…so really a no brainer.
  • 912DX03hpZL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Eddie Vedder – Earthling – (Republic Records): Eddie Vedder is back with another solo album. That is enough for me. I’ll check it out as I’m always interested to hear what he brings that is different than Pearl Jam.
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Friday New Releases – February 4, 2022

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Can you believe January is already over and it is now February? That was fast. We are to another Friday New Releases and although not as many as last week, there is still a good number of releases and a good chance you will find something that you want to listen to this weekend. Unfortunately for me, there is nothing I am dying to hear, but hopefully you will find something. Let me know what you want to hear and what release I may have missed as I am sure there is something I didn’t see. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!! Happy Listening!!!

  • 71hTIyuTCsL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Korn – Requiem – (Loma Vista Recording)
  • 81pF591sDaL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Saxon – Carpe Diem – (Silver Lining Music)
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Friday New Releases – January 28, 2022

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic28 Comments

We end the first month of 2022 with our final Friday New Release post for January. And we go out with a bang as there are over 50 albums this month. I would say things are looking up. This week there are a couple I am really excited to hear and a couple that have me intrigued. I have highlighted those in Blue. Out of the over 50 albums, I am hoping there is something you will be interested in hearing so let me know which ones they are and also let me know what I may have missed. As always, thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great weekend.

  • 71SGRt+AyAL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Steve Vai – Inviolate – (Favored Nations / Mascot Label Group): Steve Vai…what is there to say. He is a legend on the guitar and there are not many that can match his skill. With his albums though, it is hit or miss with me. I either love it or I am not sure what the hell is going on. As with all his albums, I will give it a spin and we will see which reaction we get.
  • 91vgEuZ1hKL._SX522_  Earthless – Night Parade of One Hundred Demons – (Nuclear Blast): Man, I can’t wait for this one. This Psychedelic Rock band that does mostly instrumentals is so much fun to listen to that I might be dropping the needle on this one first. There is so much going on you just get lost in the music.
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Friday New Releases – January 21, 2022

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic56 Comments

We have another big week of releases for you on our Friday New Release post. And let me tell you, there is a plethora of styles, genres and sounds which means there will be something for you. You have my word or I’ll give you your money back…now of course you didn’t pay any money to be here so there is nothing to pay you back, but you get what I mean. My choices are highlighted in Blue. Let me know what you want to hear or what I may have missed. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

  • 71VAIUZH7cL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Kissin’ Dynamite – Not the End of the Road – (Napalm Records): This German band is now on their seventh album and I would say these guys are on to something as they keep getting better. Their 80’s stadium rock sound full of hooks and that anthem sound yet till sound modern. I can’t wait to hear what they have to offer this time around.
  • 81JkNZFtDAL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  John Mellencamp – Strictly A One-Eyed Jack – (Republic Records): Can you believe this is his 25th album? Insane right. I hadn’t listened to him in awhile so now I think it is time to check him out again and see if there is still life left in this pirate.
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