Category: Pop Music

Lifehouse – Deep Dive Playlist

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Lifehouse has been around since 1999 when they were known as Blyss, but it was their debut album under the name Lifehouse in 2000 that made them stars.  The album was ‘No Name Face’ and the song was “Hanging By a Moment” that brought them to my attention.  They have quietly been releasing albums ever since and now have 7 studio albums.

I think part of my enjoyment of the band is due to Jude Cole.  One of my all time favorite albums is by him called “A View From 3rd Street”.  Jude has been producing and writing songs with them for most of their career (around 2005) and that has shown through in the maturity of the songs and albums.

They finally released a greatest hits compilation back on July 14th, 2017 and it was pretty good as it had 18 tracks.  However, it was missing several songs that are better than some of the ones on the compilation.  So I figured why don’t I do a deep dive and give you the non-singles I think are the best.  I hope you enjoy.  They are in no particular order except my #1 favorite song is the last one on the list!

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Friday New Releases – September 15th

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Well hold on to your hats, there is an abundance of new releases today.  Over 27 albums on the list so there has to be something for you.  For me, there are at least 10 I want to listen to, but I am sure I won’t make it through all of them.  The ones I want are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you would like to buy or hear.

  • 61KS6Xq7XTL._AC_US218_  Josh Todd & the Conflict – Year of the Tiger – (Century Media):  If there isn’t a Buckcherry new album, I will take  Josh Todd album and this one has me super excited.  This one seems to be a little harder than Buckcherry and I like that.  The harder the better baby!!

  • 91GkSim-z6L._AC_UL115_  Foo Fighters – Concrete and Gold – (Roswell Records):  The Foo Fighters bring us another release and although my interest tends to fade over time, I still enjoy them and will give this one a listen.  What I have heard so far has been promising so maybe they have put together a decent album…we will wait and see.

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The Original Vs. The Cover – “The Sound of Silence”

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Welcome to the second edition of ‘The Original Vs. The Cover”.  This month we are highlighting the Simon & Garfunkel classic, “The Sound of Silence” and the best cover version I have ever heard of this song by the Metal band Disturbed.  Yes, I said a Metal band.  So the Folk version vs. the Metal version.

The song was originally recorded back in 1964 and was titled “The Sounds of Silence”. The song was a folk traditional version and it basically flopped.  The song was overdubbed in 1965 without Simon & Garfunkel’s knowledge and some electric instruments were added to give it more a folk rock sound which was big at the time.  The song became a hit and Simon & Garfunkel became famous.

The song everyone knows is actually the second version, the folk rock song.  Later the song was retitled for some strange reason to “The Sound of Silence” and the ‘s’ was dropped from “Sounds”.  Rather odd to me, but what do I know.

The song has one of the best opening lines of any song…”Hello darkness, my old friend / I’ve come to talk with you again”.  The way they sing that opening line is kind of eerie and seems to hold so much meaning.  And has always made me think about loneliness as that was the overall feeling I got from that verse.

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My Sunday Song – “Empty Garden (Hey, Hey Johnny)” by Elton John

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For My Sunday Song #56, I have gone with one of the greatest John Lennon tribute songs ever written or performed…”Empty Garden (Hey, Hey Johnny)” By Elton John.  The song was released in 1982 which was about 18 months after Lennon’s death.  It is off the album ‘Jump Up!’ and was not one of his best albums, but this was the best song on it.  It was a minor hit and only reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

However, for me it resonated as such a beautifully written song.  Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics (as he did for all of Elton’s songs) and Elton did the music.  The lyrics tell such a touching story and the metaphor of an empty garden fort he absence of Lennon is brilliant.  Put that along with the beautiful piano and Elton’s vocals and you have a song that can touch you on so many levels.  Knowing that Elton John was such good friends with Lennon (including being Sean Lennon’s godfather), you could feel Elton’s true feelings of how much he missed his friend and that even adds more to the song.

In researching the song (wikipedia mostly had the better information), I found that the “Garden” was also a reference to John Lennon’s last performance which was at Madison Square Garden in 1974 with Elton John.  The line “Can’t You Come Out to Play” is a reference to the Beatles’ song “Dear Prudence” which is cool. I love finding those things out as I never made that connection so now it adds to the song for me.

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Friday New Releases – September 8th

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Finally!!! The new releases start picking up.  August was such a slow month, but it is about to get busy.  The floodgates are opening and the new releases are coming in full force.  So hold on and open your wallets, it is going to get expensive.  This week gets off nicely and the ones I am interested in are highlighted in Blue.  There should be something in here for everyone especially some great rock and a ton of country.  Let me know what you like.

  • 61u4pnXwDyL._AC_US218_  Alter Bridge – Live at the O2 Arena + Rarities – (Napalm Records):  Alter Bridge live is going to be good.  You have the boys from Creed and Myles Kennedy who is one of the hardest working singers in the business between Alter Bridge, Slash and so many other projects, he is always working.  There have been a lot of good live albums lately and this should be no exception.  The plus side is there are a bunch of rare tracks on here as well that really has my interest.

  • 61hNZekCmAL._AC_US218_  Jonny Lang – Signs – (Concord Records):  Blues rocker Jonny Lang is back with his first album in 4 years and it has been way too long.  I am looking forward to hearing some more of his guitar magic.  With a new album from Kenny Wayne Shepherd and now Jonny, blues rock is alive and kicking.

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Ed Sheeran & James Blunt – Charlotte 9/3/2017 – Concert Review

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It was Sunday, September 3rd and I was getting in a car with two teenage girls and we were going to see Ed Sheeran in concert at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC.  I must be a glutton for punishment.  For the pre-concert experience I was serenaded rather loudly the whole way to the show.  I was able to hear such classics as “Hunt you Down” by Kesha, Taylor Swift’s new song “Ready For It”, and several of my all time favorite songs from High School Musical 2 including “Fabulous” by Sharpay (sadly I know this and yes I am being sarcastic).  At least they did throw in “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen.  All this was prep for me being surrounded by thousands of screaming Ed Sheeran fans (two of which started screaming before we even arrived).

We arrived in plenty of time before the show as I do not like to be rushed.  Nothing worse than being stressed out to go do something you enjoy like going to concerts.  We made the way to our seats and they weren’t bad at all.  We had a nice line of sight to the stage.

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My Sunday Song – “Love The Way You Lie ” by Eminem (featuring Rihanna)

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For My Sunday Song #55, I am going with Eminem’s “Love The Way You Lie”.  The song features Rihanna and is one of my favorite Eminem songs and favorite songs period.  The song was released on June 25, 2010 and is on the album ‘Recovery’.  It is one of Eminem’s most successful song selling over 6 million copies, hitting #1 on almost ever chart, receiving numerous Grammy nominations and winning the Billboard Award for Best Rap song in 2011.  To say this song struck a chord with a lot of people is an understatement.

Why do I like this song?  Easy…it is bringing to light a very dark subject matter that isn’t talked about enough.  Domestic Violence.  The song is about a couple in an abusive relationship that refuses to separate despite the dangerous situation they are in.  The song is very graphic and so is the video which I will discuss shortly.  The song’s dark theme and powerful music along with the combination of Rihanna’s vocals and Eminem’s aggressive rap encapsulates every emotion that you would imagine this kind of relationship would garner.  I also love how the song jumps from pleasant views to the violent aspects and back and forth.  It really makes the song impactful.

What I also find interesting about the song is that it actually mirrors both singers life.  Eminem was in an abusive relationship with his ex-wife Kim and of course every one knows Rihanna’s history with her former boyfriend Chris Brown.  Knowing their history adds so much credibility to the song.

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Friday New Releases – September 1st

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August was not a great month for new releases, so September has to be better…right??  Yes and No.  Yes, September is loaded with some great possible new releases.  But No, it isn’t this week.  Next week starts the onslaught of new releases and you won’t be disappointed.  There a couple I will listen to this week, but not overly excited about any of them.  My choices are highlighted in Blue (and sadly no good rock albums this week…for me at least).

  • 61xqcyFYOYL._AC_US218_  The Script – Freedom Child – (Sony Music):  The Irish band is back with their 5th studio album.  The are decent enough pop band.  My daughter and I saw them several years ago for some radio station Christmas show and I have to say that they weren’t very good live.  Or at least at this event.  I could not understand what the singer was saying or even singing.  We were disappointed.  Their studio stuff is way better.  Let’s hope we get some decent pop songs.  My expectations aren’t real high so shouldn’t be disappointed (better not be).

  • 41U-VT1fUBL._AC_US218_  Dixie Chicks – DCX MMXVI Live – (Columbia):  The Dixie Chicks are always entertaining.  I am glad to see them still putting out music.  This one seems like an interesting collection of the latest tour.  It includes 2CDs and I believe a DVD of the show.  Should be a nice set.

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Friday New Releases – August 25th

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It is the last Friday of August and school is back in session for most people (my kids actually start this coming Monday).  August has really sucked for new releases (for the most part).  This week is no different. There is only one I am interested in and it is Degreed.  I already have enough Motley Crue as I have Girls, Girls, Girls on Vinyl and CD and plus they aren’t really offering anything I don’t already have.  Queen of the Stone Age has a new album out as well, but really don’t care…never have.  Man, I am just a downer today…sorry.  My interest is highlighted in Blue.  September looks to be a much better month for releases as Fall generally is the best time of the year for new albums as everyone wants to get it out before Christmas.

  • download-2  Degreed – Degreed – (Gain/Sony):  Degreed came to my attention thanks to a little label called MelodicRock Records and I have been following them ever since.  They are a melodic rock band with a very modern sound and are actually pretty great.  Give them a try if you haven’t.  Each album has some gems (CD is out next week, MP3/Streaming today)

  • 518DpWvkoML._AA160_  Queens of the Stone Age – Villains – (Matador Records)

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Def Leppard – ‘Hysteria’ 30th Anniversary (Deluxe Edition) – Album Review

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Thirty years ago on August 3rd, 1987, Def Leppard released their fourth studio album, ‘Hysteria’.  Little did they know this ground breaking album would go on to sell over 25 million records, produce 7 hit singles and go to #1 on the Billboard Charts.  The album was a labor of love for the band as it took several years to record and they struggled so much during this time.

There were so many setbacks during the recording of the album.  First, Robert John “Mutt” Lange turned down the producing job for the record after he had recorded “High & Dry” (my personal favorite) and “Pyromania” although he did help in the initial song writing for the record.  The band went through several producers during the recording including working with Jim Steinman of ‘Bat Out of Hell’ fame.  Their relationship did not go smoothly and he was later fired (they paid him a lot of money to get out of the contract so it must have gone badly). Later in the process, “Mutt” did come back and produce the final product and then history was made.

The second big obstacle was Rick Allen’s car accident that severed his arm.  Yes, the drummer of the band lost an arm.  With all respect to the band, they did not abandon Rick.  They stood by him and supported him until he was capable of playing the drums with one arm using an electronic drum set and a set of foot pedals to compensate for the lost arm.  It definitely was a trying time.  I won’t go into much more as you can watch the documentary included to learn more.

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