Category: Pop Music

Friday New Releases – August 4th

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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

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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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Cher – “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves” – The 45 Single

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This might be the last 45 Single I had in my box of vinyl that is anywhere near worth mentioning.  It is Cher’s 1971 single for “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves”.  It is from her seventh album for which it is the title song.  It is also Cher’s first #1 song as a solo artists. “Believe” it or not, she has only had 4 #1 songs as a solo artist (not counting the Dance charts).

I don’t have the cover jacket for the album, only the 45 itself.  The cover is below…

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The song is about a girl who was born in a wagon and raised by her parents who were what people called Gypsies.  They earned money preaching and selling “their services” (if you know what I mean).  In their travels, they pick up young man the tender age of 21.  He ends up sleeping with the 16 year old girl and winds up pregnant.  The boy disappears and the girl ends up having her baby in a wagon and she ends up selling her services for money.  Her life went full circle.

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Friday New Releases – July 21st

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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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Turntables & Vinyl #9 – The 70’s Teen Idols

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Every decade has their teen idols and the 70’s were definitely not lacking in that area. My big box of vinyl had a surprise included that I never expected.  It had my wife’s records for when she was a very, very young thing (she is still young and will always be younger than me).  She loved her teen idols and most especially one in particular.

First up is Leif Garrett.  She has his second album, ‘Feel the Need’.  This was his highest charting album at #34 on the Billboard charts and spawned the Top 10 hit, “I Was Made for Dancin'”. His music career didn’t hang on to long thanks to a slight little problem with drugs.  During the 70’s, he was probably more well known for his TV & Movie career than his sining.  He appeared in movies such as Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band and even in the Outsiders.

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My Sunday Song – “Headphones” by Matt Nathanson

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For My Sunday Song #48, I am going with my favorite Matt Nathanson song called “Headphones”.  The song features singer LOLO and is off Matt’s album ‘Show Me Your Fangs’ released in 2014.  It is one of his best albums, so check it out.

The song “Headphones” for me is about putting on my headphones, listening to music and escaping.  When you listen to music, it can take all your cares in the world and throw them out the window. With music, you can feel invincible (as the song states).  The song is everything I feel about music and how important it is in my life.  Heck, I even started a blog where all I talk about is music.  I have only known this song for 3 years now, but it is the soundtrack to my feelings on music.

The song is actually about a girl who moves to the big city to have a fresh start.  Where everyone around her is concerned with trivial things, she is out there being who she is.  Her escape is music and she is happy just sitting around listening to music and not getting caught up in the madness.  Matt is great at telling stories and he knocks another one out of the park with this one.  Matt is one of the best songwriters out there and I can’t get enough of his music.  If you want to hear what Matt Nathanson says about the song, go to USAToday.com and check this article out.

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Friday New Releases – July 14th

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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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Lionel Richie – “Dancing On The Ceiling” – The 45 Single

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Still yet more in the big box of vinyl.  This time the 45 single I found was actually one of my wife’s old 45’s. The single was for Lionel Richie’s song “Dancing On The Single”.  The single was released in 1986 and was the title track for his third studio album.

I never thought I would do a post on this song as it is not one of my favorite Lionel Richie songs.  Though it is a fun, energetic, dance song; it is a really terrible song at the same time.  I am not alone in that thinking as Blender Magazine listed it as the 20th Worst Song ever out of 50.

However, the world disagreed with me and Blender as the song was a Top 10 hit in almost ever country it was released.  The U.S. saw it go all the way to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The B-Side of the single was “Love Will Find A Way”.  However, as most of my singles from this box don’t follow suit with having the correct B-Side, this one is no different.  This copy of the 45 is a Promotional Copy and Not For Sale.  The flip side is actually “Dancing On The Ceiling” again.  If I couldn’t get enough of the song on the A-Side, I can flip it to the B-Side and hear it again.  Sure, let’s do that.

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Imagine Dragons – ‘Evolve’ – Album Review

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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

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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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