Category: Pop Music

Friday New Releases – June 19th, 2020

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic12 Comments

Welcome back, you made it through another week and you should be proud as who knows what the world threw at us this week as each week it seems to be something worse than the last.  But at least the world is giving us some new music and that makes it all better.  There are a handful of new music I am looking forward to getting and those are marked in Blue. Let me know what you are interested in, if anything, and tell me what I missed.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

  • 81Lc7IrBXqL._SX522_  Whitesnake – The ROCK Album (2020 Remix) – (Saltburn / Rhino):  In the first of 3 albums in a new series by Whitesnake, the Rock album is a bunch of remixes of old songs with one new one I believe.  The other two will be out later in the year and in to next year are The Love Album and The Blues Album.  I am glad the Rock starts it all off.  This will finish up my David Coverdale Review series nicely until the other albums come out that is.

  • download-12  Switchfoot – Covers E.P. – (Fantasy Records / Concord):  Ah, I love me some Switchfoot and although not an album of new material, we get a small collection of cover songs.  At least these aren’t your standard fare. You get a cover from Frank Ocean, The Chainsmokers, Vampire Weekend and more.  Should be interesting.

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – June 19th, 2020” →

Train – ‘California 37’ – Album Review

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic10 Comments

With working at home during the Covid-19 lockdowns, I have pulled out a lot of my vinyl and gave it a spin.  This was one I hadn’t listened to in a couple years and when I did, I remembered that this was the last great album Train had done.  At this point, Train was down to only 3 members, Pat Monahan, Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood.  My wife and I had met them a couple years earlier on the ‘Save Me, San Francisco’ Tour and they were super nice and they are kind of “our” band.  They were anyway, now it is the Pat Monahan show as he is the only original member left, but that is another story for another day.

What we loved about the band is really the songs.  Lyrically, Pat is a master at slipping in pop culture references in to the lyrics and the band can write some hooks and pretty damn catchy choruses.  It is wonderful, pop music.  And this album, the band outdid themselves with all of the above.  They did bring in some outside writers, but Pat was still the driving force behind them as they are usually very personal songs to him.  He spent three years writing the album while on tour for the previous items and they all reflect pieces of his life in some way or fashion.

IMG_2029

The album is called “California 37” which is a State Highway in Northern San Francisco which the band seems to call home.  The road was often used to get to gigs and they even broke down on it and what band hasn’t done that on the way to a gig.  The album has this light, California vibe to it and it makes you feel good as you listen.  From the opening track, “This’ll Be My Year” you know you are in for a treat. The song travels through his years in life and is a bio of his life and completely filled with Pop Culture references so you can put the year’s in to perspective.  It is brilliant.  It has the classic line…”I stopped believing, although Journey told me don’t”. Continue reading “Train – ‘California 37’ – Album Review” →

Friday New Releases – June 12th, 2020

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic17 Comments

Welcome to Friday…you made it!  Another week in the books and for your reward, here are a bunch of new releases for your listening pleasure. It is Frontier Records monthly release so there are at least 5 from that label alone.  You get a lot of rock this week and even a little Norah and who doesn’t want that.  My choices are highlighted in Blue. Let me know what you are looking forward to hearing and what I may have missed.  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!!

  • 91HPCtbfckL._SX522_  House of Lords – New World…New Eyes – (Frontiers Records):  I have been following House of Lords since their debut in 1988 thanks to Gene Simmons.  Gene produced their first album and now here we are 32 years and 12 albums later and they are still going strong.  Can’t wait to see what they have to offer…

  • 91KRsjJRpAL._SS500_  BPMD – American Made – (Napalm Records):  A heavy metal supergroup featuring from Overkill vocalist Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth, Vio-lence and former Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel, and two members of Metal Allegiance–bassist Mark Menghi and drummer Mike Portnoy.  Dang, not bad.  Portnoy has to be the busiest man in music history.  The number of albums and bands he is in is absolutely insane. The man can’t sit still.

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – June 12th, 2020” →

Friday New Releases – June 5th

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic12 Comments

There was a big week last week and this week was much bigger than it wound up as a lot of releases were moved due to Covid-19.  What you do have is a limited selection and some cool stuff though I not much I want to check out. My choice is highlighted in Blue. Let me know what you are digging and what I might’ve missed as it does happen.  Thanks for stopping by and have a Great Weekend!!

  • 51LCcTjOqwL  The Sword – Conquest of Kingdoms – (Craft Recordings / Concord):  The Sword are bringing 2 releases in very close proximity.  First up is this compilation of live songs and some rare oddities.  The other is a greatest hits compilation coming on June 19th with more rare songs.  This release today is digital only, but the physical product will also be on the 19th.  Here is a Kiss cover of “She”.

And the rest…

  • 91As0DhMFKL._SX522_  Emery – White Line Fever – (BC Music)

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – June 5th” →

Friday New Releases – May 29th

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic16 Comments

FINALLY!!  A Massive Week of new releases.  I mean this is the biggest week since this whole Corona outbreak started and thank goodness.  We need this!!  There a lot on my list this week…a whole lot.  They are highlighted in Blue as usual.  What interests you, what did I miss, what what what???  Please let me know.  I hope you have a great weekend and you know what I’ll be doing!!!  Thanks for stopping by.

  • 81Pgg8+JYdL._SS500_  Def Leppard – Hits Vegas (Live) – (Bludgeon Riffola Ltd):  Def Leppard has two out this week…that is right…TWO!!  You can also get it as one BluRay or DVD set that has both albums on CD and in Video format which I have the BluRay version coming to me.  This is the disc I am more excited about, the Vegas Residency Show as they tend to play a lot of DEEP DEEP CUTS and that is what the collector in me wants.

  • 81l398mT5qL._SS500_  Def Leppard – Hysteria at the O2 (Live) – Bludgeon Riffola Ltd):  Release #2 is for the London gig where they played the Hysteria album in its entirety which I already have from the Viva! Hysteria Vegas show years back, but the completist in me has to have this one too.

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – May 29th” →

Friday New Releases – May 22nd

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic16 Comments

Finally!!  Yes, there are some albums I am actually excited about this week.  It has been awhile for me since the last week that anything I was anxiously awaiting. This week, I have two that will definitely get a spin first thing in the morning while I am sitting at home in my office like I have for the last two months…I can’t wait to sit in traffic and drive to work.  I never thought I would say that!!!  Anyhoo, my choices are highlighted in Blue. Let me know what you are interested in hearing and what I may have missed.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!

  • 81DFJWo7xSL._AC_UL115_  Dennis DeYoung – 26 East, Vol. 1 – (Frontiers Records):  I couldn’t tell you the last time a Dennis DeYoung record got any press, but this one is making the rounds.  I have heard nothing but positive comments on this one so far, so it has really piqued my interest.  I have heard there is a strong Styx element and why wouldn’t there be as he was a huge part of that sound.  We will see.

  • 81iqT1T2gSL._AC_UL115_  One Desire – Midnight Empire – (Frontiers Records):  Okay, this one might the first one getting a spin this morning.  These two songs I have heard so far are a couple of the best I’ve heard this year. If you like some solid guitar driven, heavy melodic rock with a guy that can sing his heart out, this is the one for you to hear.  I think this is going to be the one to beat this year.

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – May 22nd” →

The Original vs The Cover vs The Cover – “Tainted Love”

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic21 Comments

The Original Vs The Cover choice for this month is one that will tackle three separate artists on the song “Tainted Love”.  The original was performed by Gloria Jones way back in May of 1965 and was written in 1964 by Ed Cobb and arranged by Lincoln Mayorga.  The song was originally a B-Side for Gloria’s failed single “My Bad Boy’s Comin’ Home” so it never charted unlike the covers.

The song was about a girl that Ed was seeing and the whole relationship was plain toxic.  He wanted to take the song from the girls point of view which is why the song was offered to a lady to sing.  According to Ed, once he came up with the words “tainted love” the song basically wrote itself from that point forward.

The covers were both done by male vocalist thus changing up the point of view. The first cover is by New Wave 80’s band Soft Cell who went all the way to #1 in several countries and #8 on the US Billboard Hot 100.  Their version was released in 1981.  2o years we would see another successful version of the song this time done by Shock Rocker Marilyn Manson.  His version didn’t do as well, but charted through-out the world reaching # 1 in Portugal!!.  All three versions have something to offer so let’s see who has the best one.

GLORIA JONES

hqdefault

The original version by Gloria Jones is an uptempo fun, Motown styled song.  The song is full of horns, guitars and drums as well as female backing vocals.  This was 1964 and the song sounds like it.  The Motown influence is front and center and Gloria’s vocals fit the song perfectly. There is a great upbeat tempo and the addition of the horns actually make it a fun sounding song which is why the song didn’t do well originally as it didn’t fit the lyrics. Continue reading “The Original vs The Cover vs The Cover – “Tainted Love”” →

Friday New Releases – May 15th

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic15 Comments

Another week has passed and another week impacted by Covid-19 as many releases scheduled for today originally are now later in the year.  A few brave souls have stuck to their guns and are releasing their albums still to our enjoyment.  As the U.S. is slowly opening back up and some stores are open again, we will see how things go. I won’t be venturing out as much at first, but I need to hit a record store soon as the shakes are starting to get bad. Withdrawal sucks!!  Until then, my choice for this week is highlighted in Blue. Let me know what you like or anything I may have missed.  Thanks and have a great week.

  • 71Rq-UG9g+L._SX522_  Colton Dixon – Colton Dixon E.P. – (Atlantic Recording):  Christian pop artist Colton Dixon is finally back after the stellar album from 2017, Identity.  That is a high mark to beat so I will be happy if he is anywhere near the greatness of that one.  Sadly, this is only an E.P….give us a full album soon Mr. Dixon!!! Please!!!

And that is it for me.  The rest has some promising stuff and maybe the Jason Isbell will get listened to, we will wait and see…

  • 91MF7wKgmML._SX522_  Asking Alexandria – Like a House On Fire – (Sumerian Records) – Digital Only – physical copy June 26th

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – May 15th” →

Friday New Releases – May 8th

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic17 Comments

The second Friday in to May and more bands have moved their releases to later in the year.  Covid-19 is taking its toll on music for sure.  That doesn’t mean there aren’t any brave artists still willing to dare release an able in these times. I salute you and since there is been so little out the last few weeks, I am will to try a few this week.  I will highlight those in Blue as usual.  Let me know what interests you and what I missed this week.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!

  • 71Gy27WGi+L._SX522_  Butch Walker – American Love Story – (Ruby Red Records): Singer/Songwriter/Rocker/Producer – jack of all trades, Butch is back with another solo album.  His resume is pretty impressive and I think he had been working with Matt Nathanson lately, who I love, so Butch will get a listen.

  • 81mSkM7vGLL._SX522_  Fake Names – Fake Names – (Epitath): Punk rock supergroup Fake Names – which includes Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Dag Nasty, Bad Religion), Michael Hampton (S.O.A., Embrace, One Last Wish), Dennis Lyxzén (Refused, International Noise Conspiracy, INVSN), and Johnny Temple (Girls Against Boys, Soulside)…yeah, this line-up is worth a spin.

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – May 8th” →

Friday New Releases – May 1st

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic12 Comments

We are now in May, I’m still working from home and we are still on the social distancing kick…which is all a good thing until this thing gets better.  The really good news is there are a lot of releases this week…ok, not really.  A month or so ago, that would’ve been true.  There have been at least 10 that were on the list that are now moved until later in the year.  That is too bad.  As a result, I hope there is something here for you.  My choices are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you are looking forward to hearing or what I missed.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.  Stay Safe!!

  • 910zmOoSuSL._SX522_  Mike Tramp – Second Time Around – (Deko / Target Records):  Mike Tramp has been putting out the albums lately.  That voice sounds aged and wiser and ever since White Lion and Freak of Nature, I have followed his career so why would I not throw this on for good measure.

  • 71huLNVJSAL._SX522_  Jack Russell’s Great White – Once Bitten Acoustic Bytes – (Deadline Music / Cleopatra):  I don’t know if I am interested in this because I think it is going to be good or that I think it is going to be really bad.  Either way, I might try and sit through this.  His last album was pretty good, but it still isn’t the same as it used to be.  We will leave judgment until I hear it all.

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – May 1st” →