Category: Pop Music

Friday New Releases – December 16th

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Happy Friday.  This is the last Friday New Release update of the year.  The next two weeks might have some new releases but nothing on my radar.

This week’s list is very limited as well. The only one worth writing home about is the 40th Anniversary of Rush’s classic album 2112.  Outside of that I might listen to the Bon Jovi live album (won’t buy it) and I will always listen to anything Tony Bennett.  See if there is anything you are interested in hearing.

  • cover170x170-13  Rush – 2112 (40th Anniversary) – (Mercury Records):  Hard to believe it has been 40 years since this album came out. Amazing.  And I am getting old.  It will be great to go back and listen to this amazing classic.  If you have 20 minutes to kill, check out the video.

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The Top Rock Albums of 2016

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2016 is about to be over so it is time to look back on the year and see what amazing albums rocked my world this year.  It was a great year indeed.  This was the year I started this blog back in April and it has been a blast. I have listened to a lot of albums this year so I had stuff to write about and it really made the year special.

This list will be my favorite “Rock” albums of the year.  All other types of music will be for a later post.  I am going to leave this one to my favorite genre.  It is a broad genre, but these are the albums that I consider to be ROCK!!

Also note, these are MY FAVORITES!!  These are not the most popular or possibly even the ones that have sold the most.  These are the albums that I connected with during the year and kept coming back to again and again.  And without further adieu, here are the Top Rock Albums of 2016:

My #1 Album of the Year:

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Hellyeah – UnDen!able (Eleven Seven Music):  This album screams Rock & Roll to me!  It is heavy and pounding with aggressive vocals and lyrics and was perfect for me when I got stuck in traffic and needed to vent a little.  With songs like “Startariot”, “X”, “Scratch A Lie” and “Be Undeniable”, I was completely satisfied with this gem.  Check out the review at this link to see what I thought in detail about the album.

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Friday New Releases – December 2nd

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As we get closer and closer to Christmas, there will be fewer worth while releases.  However, we aren’t there yet as the Rolling Stones are set to release their new album “Blue & Lonesome”.  This will be tops on my list for today. The others I will check out are highlighted in Blue.

  • cover170x170-32  The Rolling Stones – Blue & Lonesome – (Promotone B.V):  The Stones are going back to their roots and bringing us an old school Stones album and it sounds great from what I have heard so far.  Can’t wait for the rest.

  • cover170x170-40  Night Ranger – 35 Years and a Night in Chicago – (Frontiers Music Srl):  Wow!  35 years of Night Ranger.  I will celebrate by listening to their new live album.  I just picked up their first 3 on vinyl and still love them.

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Turntables & Vinyl #4 – The 80’s Are Back!

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I have been going to records stores way too often as I continue my obsession on buying vinyl.  On the flip side of that, I also don’t feel like I have gone enough.  Confusing I know. I actually enjoy just browsing through the store and seeing what is there.  It is rare I go into the store and I don’t buy anything, but lately I am picking up 5 or 6 at a time and I am loving it.

Most everything I am picking up is of course from the 70’s or 80’s since vinyl died out in the 90’s.  The new releases that are out now are too expensive to make it a habit so I focus on the used record.  There are no shortages of those, but what I want is seldom available on my visits.  It is hit or miss.

Lately, it has been more hit than miss.  And it has mostly been 80’s records so I guess the 80’s are back.  Yes, I am buying records for albums I had already purchased back in the 80’s whether on cassette or CD, but I don’t have any of those anymore so I actually only have the one physical copy of the album.  The other copy is now digital and you can’t really hold that in your hand.

So, what I have been picking up on my adventures you might ask that is from the 80’s?  Well, you probably aren’t asking but I am going to tell you anyway.

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Friday New Releases – November 25th

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I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  It is Black Friday and everyone will rush out shopping so you might as well pick up some new music.  There is not a whole lot out which makes sense as it is the day after a major Holiday.  The good thing is it will give me a chance to catch up on some prior releases.  The only two I will give a listen to this week are highlighted in Blue.

  • cover170x170-10  The Weeknd – Starboy – (The Weeknd XO):  His last release actually grew on me and I found it quite interesting.  Hopefully he can take it to the next level with this one and become a bonafide star.  I like his voice and think he has major potential.

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Friday New Releases – November 18th

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Wow!! Some huge releases today!  I can’t wait to get into some of these. I hope there is something for you as well.  Sixx:A.M., Metallica, Bruno and Miranda are doing it for me today.  Here is to some great listening pleasure.  My favorites are highlighted in Blue.

  • cover170x170-45  Sixx:A.M. – Prayers for the Blessed Vol. 2 – (Eleven Seven Music):  Volume 1 was released earlier this year and was OUTSTANDING!!!  I have extreme high hopes for this one as well and since they have never diappointed, I expect to be blown away…AGAIN!!  Could they end up with 2 albums in my Top 10 albums of the year…wait and see.

  • 51iCjOdvPoL._AC_US200_  Metallica – Hardwired…To Self-Destruct – (Blackened Recordings):  Metallica is back heavier and louder than ever.  I was a little disappointed in their last release so I am hoping they return with some of their old magic.    If the song, “Hardwired” is any indication, we might just see some more greatness.

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My Sunday Song – “Numbers or Faith” by Safetysuit

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My Sunday Song #15 is an uplifting song by the pop band Safetysuit.  The song is “Numbers or Faith” and talks about how the world is going to hell in a hand basket and that we should all believe in something and why not that something be God.

What is surprising about the song is that these guys are a pop band and not a Christian band.  Their brand new album, ‘Safetysuit’, actually mentions God and Jesus a couple more times and it was really a nice surprise from them.  I couldn’t agree more with the message as the last few weeks have been crazy.  Watching the news and reading Facebook makes me sick and it is nice to listen to something positive.  I hope you get something out of the song like I have.

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My Sunday Song – “Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)” by Andy Grammer

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Today we are just going for pure fun as my family and I spend our last day in the Magic Kingdom.  My Sunday Song #14 is “Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)” by Andy Grammer.  The song is about how he struggled and suddenly everything seems to be going great now.   He has found his Hallelajuh.  Have you found yours?

My Hallelajuh is my family and spending quality time with them with Mickey and Minnie. Until we talk again, enjoy this song and have a magical day!!

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My Sunday Song – “Scars To Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara

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My Sunday Song #13 is by Alessia Cara called “Scars to Your Beautiful”.  The song is off her latest album titled ‘Know It All’.  This choice was inspired by my youngest daughter.  She has to listen to this song every morning on the way to school.  I don’t know if she understands the meaning or maybe she does and this is her anthem to get her emotionally ready for tackling school.  Either way, it is a such an inspiring song for women and even men.

The song is about Body Image.  If people don’t like they way you look, that is their problem not yours.  The people’s perception of beauty needs to change because you are who you are and you are BEAUTIFUL!!  Remember…God made you they way He wanted to make you and that in itself is beautiful.

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Lady Gaga – Joanne (2016)- Album Review

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When Lady Gaga came on the scene back in 2008, I thought she was just a 21st Century Madonna.  Boy, was I wrong.  Where Madonna never really grew up in her music, Lady Gaga certainly has.

The album is eclectic in its musical styles, but they all blend nicely together in a very cohesive album.  She definitely has her pop/dance songs such as the first single “Perfect Illusions” to “A Yo” which would fit nicely on any P!nk album.

Lady Gaga rocks out on the coolest song of the album “John Wayne” and has a country-blues tinged song “Sinner’s Prayer”.  Her vocal maturity shows through on the exceptional songs “Joanne”, “Diamond Heart” and the heartbreaking love song “Million Reasons”.

One of the highlights is the song “Angel Down” that was inspired by Trayvon Martin. It is a very moving and sad song.  The only misstep I found was “Hey Girl’ with Florence Welch.  It is the one song I found flat musically and not very interesting.

For the album, she worked with Mark Ronson, Beck & Josh Homme (eclectic group) who helped her craft a well-rounded, sensational album.  I can now say I am officially a fan.

10 keepers out 11 songs – 91% (4.5 out 5 stars).

 

NOTE:  This is my first 200 word album review which was inspired by a challenge by Mike Ladano from way back in August. I am a little slow getting around to it.  Click on his name and check out his site.  It has tons of reviews and some awesome stories.