Category: Pop Music

Friday New Releases – November 2nd

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Can you believe it is November already??  I find the years are flying by now and before this one is over, I will hit a major life milestone and I don’t know if I am ready for it.  But before that happens, we have new music to get through.  There is a lot here, but there isn’t at the same time.  Hopefully you will find something. Me, there is nothing I am really running out to get.  I will listen to some, but buying is a maybe to a No for most of this.  The things I might listen to sooner than later are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you are interested in hearing or what I might have missed this week.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.

  • 51B1qRfpwJL._AC_US436_QL65_  The Afters – The Beginning & Everything After – (Fair Trade Services):  The Afters are a Christian pop/rock band.  I enjoy them a lot and this is just a greatest hits album so I thought I would feature it for those that don’t know anything about them, this would be a good place to start.  Here is the one new track on the album.

  • 81r3FVfNG3L._SX522_  Metallica – And Justice for All (Remastered) – (Blackened Recordings):  Do I really need to add anything to this release. If you have $180 laying around you can the complete deluxe box set of 6LPs, 11CDs and 4 DVDs as who doesn’t need the same songs repeated over and over and over in different mixes, live versions, etc…

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Friday New Releases – October 26th

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Happy Friday and welcome to the last Friday of October.  Halloween is just around the corner, but sadly not much to scare up in the releases this week.  There a couple I might check out and if I get in the early Christmas spirit, maybe the William Shatner Christmas album will get a spin…but seriously doubt it.  My choices are highlighted in Blue. Let me know what interests you, if anything, and let me know what I am missing out on this week.  Thanks and have a great weekend.

  • 51cDoAXQKKL._AC_US436_QL65_  The Struts – Young&Dangerous – (Interscope):  It has been a couple years since the Struts debut and they felt like they might the next big thing.  But for me, the Jury is still out as they seem to be more of a novelty act than anything.  The lead singer is a little over the top now and seems to be trying too hard to be something he really isn’t.  I haven’t been overly excited of what I have heard so far, but I will give it a listen as they did interest me at one time.  Man, I am really selling this one aren’t I!!!

  • 41t8Gq4R4-L._AC_US436_QL65_  Boy George & Culture Club – Life – (BMG):  Boy George is back and with Culture Club.  That alone is enough to sell this one.  I don’t know why, but this one interests me. I haven’t heard anything on it yet (not even the video posted below), but I want to hear it.  It will get a spin mainly out of curiosity.

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My Sunday Song – “Who Can It Be Now?” by Men At Work

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For My Sunday Song #114, we will discuss the song “Who Can’t It Be Now” by Men at Work.  The song was off the Australian band’s debut album ‘Business as Usual’ and went all the way to #1 in the US Billboard chart thanks in large part to MTV.  MTV didn’t have a ton of videos around 1982 and this would was in constant rotation as a result.

The song is so recognizable when the first note of the Greg Ham’s saxophone kicks in.  The sax is the better than a guitar riff in this case.  Originally the saxophones was only played in the middle of the song, but the record producer felt it was such a great hook that it should be the main musical focus of the song.  And I would say he was correct.

The song was written by singer Colin Hay and was about a place he lived in St. Kilda, Victoria.  The apartment complex at the time was in a shady part of town and all these scary figures would be around.  Someone was selling drugs on his floor and would mistakenly knock on his door and that might have frightened him a little based on the lyrics in this song.

Men_at_work-Who_Can_It_Be_Now_(Australia)

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Friday New Releases – October 19th

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Welcome to a HUGE Friday!!!  There releases are massive and numerous. What more could you ask for.  This is the first time in a very long time where I have 3 releases that are on order for the same day.  I am going to love the mail man this week.  The albums I am interested in are highlighted in Blue and the first 3 are the ones on order.  Let me know what you looking forward to hearing and which ones I might have missed.  Enjoy and have a great musical weekend!  I know I will!!!

  • 81PZVtcGBVL._SX522_  Greta Van Fleet – Anthem of the Peaceful Man – (Republic Records):  These young lads are constantly getting compared to Led Zeppelin and you know what?  Who cares.  Zeppelin isn’t putting out any new music so I am going to enjoy this.  At least the young generation is still making Rock & Roll.  This is their first Full Length studio album and I get wait to unwrap the vinyl.

  • 51EQXYr3IZL._AC_US436_QL65_  Whitesnake – Unzipped – (Rhino Records):  5 CDs and 1 DVD of Whitesnake Unplugged.  20 years worth of music including Starkers in Tokyo and Starkers in Warsaw, Paris, Germany and so much music.  I can’t wait for this one either.  It is going to be non-stop music.

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Matt Nathanson – ‘Sings His Sad Heart’ – Album Review

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Matt Nathanson is one of my all time favorite singers and songwriters, no doubt.  If I had to list my Top 10 Bands or Artists, Matt would be there along with Kiss and Def Leppard (if you follow me, you know I love those two bands so that is high praise).  Why do I love him and his music so much?  Well, this album is a shining example of why.

Speaking of the album, this album took a long journey.  No, not Matt writing and recording it.  A literal long journey.  The album was shipped Friday October 5th (the day of release) from Nashville, Tennessee.  It stated it would not be to me until Thursday, October 11th which I thought was strange as North Carolina is not that far from Tennessee (well not really far). When I looked up the tracking #, the package suddenly appeared in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Now I am not great on geography, but San Juan isn’t anywhere near North Carolina the last time I checked and doesn’t seem the normal traffic route for a package.  Needless to say, it din’t arrive by the 11th as stated.  The USPS finally corrected themselves and I did receive it on Saturday, October 13th. It could be worse, I might not have ever received it.

‘Sings His Sad Heart’ is exactly that.  An album of songs that are about “loss”.  Sounds depressing, right?  It is far from it.  Matt’s pop sensibility is second to none.  He can write an album chock full of catchy tunes that stay with you and never leave.  His mixture of that pop sound with folk and rock blends so nicely together that his music makes you feel like you have known the songs and the album your whole life.

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Friday New Releases – October 12th

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Welcome to another Friday of music new releases.  There are a bunch to choose from, but sadly I am not real thrilled about any of them.  That is probably a good thing since I had so many from last week that I am still enjoying.  There is one I will listen to out of the bunch (highlighted in Blue) and the rest who knows if they will ever find the playlist.  Hopefully with all to choose from, there is something that you will gravitate towards. Let me know what interests you are doesn’t.  Thanks and have a great weekend!!

  • 51DBuL6UKqL._AC_US436_QL65_  Tobymac – The Elements – (Forefront Records):  Tobymac has always proven to me he is a talented artists whether it was with DC Talk or his solo works.  The mixture of hip-hop, pop and rock is always a great combination.  He spreads the word and makes it an enjoyable experience.  This will be the only album this week that is a must listen, the rest…ehh!.

  • 614qJEKidaL._AC_US436_QL65_  Live – Local 717 E.P. – (Kalvary Records):  It has been awhile since any new Live material and it is much needed.  I heard the song below and was intrigued.  This might be first up for the day.

  • 51pFKgIYAtL._SY300_QL70_  Elvis Costello & the Imposters – Look Now – (Concord Records)

  • 413OeeqtLUL.jpg  Tom Morello – The Atlas Underground – (Comandante): This one might get a listen…this song is pretty good.

  • 51uS3scxmmL._AC_US436_QL65_  Kurt Vile – Bottle It In – (Matador):  Okay, maybe this one too.

  • 61K5jDNoQFL._AC_UL115_.jpg  David Bowie – Loving the Alien 1983-1988 (11 CD Set) – (Rhino)
  • 61cLx3dyPoL._AC_US320_QL65_  Blues Traveler – Hurry Up & Hang Around – (BT Recordings)
  • 81MY6RPdsAL._SX522_.jpg  Evanescence – Synthesis Live – (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
  • 81GSD64tv0L._SX522_  Nazareth – Tattooed on my Brain – (Frontiers Record)
  • 51BqXIWsX0L._AC_US436_QL65_  Seventh Wonder – Tiara – (Frontiers Record)
  • 81pOu3lDOCL._SX522_.jpg  Imperllitteri – The Nature of the Beast – (Frontiers Record)
  • 71gM8z8h7QL._SX522_  City of Thieves – Beast Reality – (Frontiers Record)
  • 71sWDhwaRML._SX522_  Creye – Creye – (Frontiers Record)
  • 81mu9XvjxML._AC_UL115_  Eric Clapton – Happy Xmas – (Bushbranch/Surfdog)
  • 41cGdmvrV0L._SS500  Young the Giant – Mirror Master – (Elektra)
  • 512S+VNZwlL._AC_US436_QL65_  Edie Brickell & New Bohemians – Rocket – (Verve Forecast)
  • 71NkozUUzaL._AC_UL115_.jpg  Graham Parker – Cloud Symbols – (100% Records)
  • 81fgAt+w9vL._SX522_  Atreyu – In Our Wake – (Spinefarm Records)
  • 51JfdCwUb4L._AC_US436_QL65_  John Hiatt – The Eclipse Sessions – (New West Records)

My Sunday Song – “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman

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For My Sunday Song #112, I am going to talk about “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman.  Released on April 6th, 1988, and on her self-titled album, “Fast Car” was a massive hit reaching all the way to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100.  I remember seeing the video on MTV and thinking what an amazing and beautiful song.  It was not like anything else on the radio at the time.

The song is an acoustical track with just Tracy, an acoustic guitar and some percussion.  Tracy is a folk pop or folk rock singer and her haunting vocals are so impactful and heartfelt that you believe the hardships this person is facing.  It was her vocals performance that made me fall in love with this song (and this album).  It was the most honest performance from I song I had heard on the radio at that time.  It made me think, if she could write such a powerful song, what else can she write about.  And the album doesn’t disappoint.

The song is about a young woman who has grown up with a very rough life.  Her dad is an alcoholic and her mom left them.  She had to quit school to take care of her dad and they were very poor.  She has a boyfriend and she dreams about taking a fast car and driving to the city and starting over and having a better life in the city.  Sadly, her boyfriend is a drunk just like her dad and she can’t break free from the hold poverty has on her world.  Such a sad song and story, yet it is so beautiful.

tracy_chapman-fast_car_s_1

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Friday New Releases – October 5th

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Welcome to October.  Halloween decorations will start going up and Fall should be arriving soon…well I am in the South so I guess we don’t get Fall weather until Christmas.  The new releases are still coming fast & furious (great title for a movie franchise…I wonder if it has been done).  There are two releases from 2 of my favorite singer songwriters and there are just so many to choose you should be able to find something.  My choices are in Blue.  Let me know what interests your or I am missing anything so people will know.

  • 91OE1mUg7jL._SX522_  Matt Nathanson – Sings His Sad Heart – (Acrobat Records):  Matt Nathanson, what can I say.  He is one of my favorite Singer-Songwriters out there today.  I have seen him live 3 times (all is an opener…I need to see him as a headliner).  This album will be there when I get home on vinyl along with his Def Leppard Cover E.P. on vinyl as well.  This will consume most of my listening this weekend.  His lyrics are insightful at times, quirky, funny and sometimes damn near brilliant.  I can’t say enough good things.  Damn…I hope I haven’t built him up too much to disappoint…nah..can’t happen.

  • 81Hjd0GYwOL._AC_UL115_  Steve Perry – Traces – (Fantasy): The legendary Journey singer is back with his first album in over 20 years and I could not be more excited.  I can’t say I am a huge fan of what I have heard so far, but that doesn’t matter.  Any new music by this man is welcomed and will be listened to for time to come.

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1971 – The Greatest Year in Music?

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If you are new to the site, I started this series with the year 1987 and then noticed that 1991 and 1983 were also a couple of the greatest years in music.  I got to thinking, was there a pattern that every 4 years we have another great year in music.  Well theory didn’t last long as I don’t think the next two years I researched were “great” years in music.  Those years were 1979 and 1995. If you want to explore all the years I have examined so far, click on the link below…

1979 – The Greatest Year in Music?

1983 – The Greatest Year in Music?

1987 – The Greatest Year in Music?

1991 – The Greatest Year in Music?

1995 – The Greatest Year in Music?

Now that my theory is busted, I am just going to start looking for the “Greatest” year in music.  I am going to start with 1971.  Will 1971 be another great year or will it be the greatest year.  Let us explore and see and then decide at the end.  But first we have to ask What were the top albums of the year?, What were the debut albums from some of the great rock bands? and What was going on in the world of music that year?

NEWS:

What were some of the biggest news events that happened in 1971?  I couldn’t find any one big thing that happened.  Nothing new was invented such as the walkman or the CD.  There were a couple things of note.

69fillmorewest

June 27th & July 4th – Music promoter, Billy Graham, closed two of the most famous music venues, The Fillmore East in New York City closed on June 27th and closed with The Allman Brothers (the band recorded their famous live album their 3 months earlier) and on July 4th the Fillmore West in San Francisco closed with Santana, Credence Clearwater Revival and the Grateful Dead (not a bad night).

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Friday New Releases – September 28th

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Have a seat and prepare to stay awhile.  There are a ton of releases this week and the most we have had on the list in quite awhile.  A lot of these are throwback artist that have been around a very long time and it is awesome to get some new releases from them even if there are some greatest hit type packages.  My favorites are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you are interested in or if I missed anything.  Thanks and have a great weekend!!

  • 81hCUUPoqkL._SX522_  Tom Petty – An American Treasure – (Reprise Records) – From the press release…The 60-track set unveils dozens of previously unreleased recordings, alternate versions of classic songs, rarities, historic live performances and deep tracks that spotlight Tom’s remarkable depth and evolution as a revered and tremendously influential songwriter, recording artist and performer. An American Treasure marks the first release of Tom Petty music since the artist’s tragic passing in October 2017.  I don’t think I can add to that.

  • 81bnBPxAMdL._SX522_  Billy Idol – Vital Idol: Revitalized – (Capitol Records):  I love Billy Idol and not sure I need another Vital Idol, but if it is as creative and good as the first, than this will be a nice addition.  Plus it has a remix of “Save Me Now” which is one of my favorite Idol songs.  I will get this one.  I didn’t see a video, so here is Save Me Now (Original).

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