Category: Rock

Friday New Releases – September 28th

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic34 Comments

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).

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – September 28th” →

Billy Squier – “The Stroke” (45 Single)

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic8 Comments

Back in 1981, Billy Squier came screaming on to the scene with the classic track, “The Stroke”.  This was the song that introduced me to him and kept me a fan all these years.  The song did fairly well on the charts reaching #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the song comes from his second album ‘Don’t Say No’ which went on to be a triple platinum selling album.

Now admit it.  You have always thought this song was about masturbation, didn’t you?  “Put Your Right Hand Out / Give a firm handshake”…always led you to believe that Mr. Squier was manhandling his little…”guitar” for lack of a better word.  Ok, I didn’t want to say dick, so there, now I have said it.  However, the song is actually not about that at all.

The song is about the Music Business and how it treats it’s talent.  How with “the stroke” of a pen, the musician signs their life away and becomes the property of the record label. They promise them the “big break”, get their music everywhere (“spread your ear pollution”) and promise fame and fortune.  However, when the hits dry up, the label drops you (“when you’ve found you bled me / slip on by”).  And when you look at the song from that perspective it is really a great song…okay…when you look at it the dirty way it is also a great song…either works!

IMG_1135

Continue reading “Billy Squier – “The Stroke” (45 Single)” →

Ratt – Ratt (1999) – Album Review

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic29 Comments

After the album ‘Collage’ in 1998, the band signed with a label again and this time it was Sony. In July of 1999, they released their self-titled album “Ratt” or 1999 since their debut E.P. was titled ‘Ratt’.  The album was very bluesy and not quite the Glam rock (with a blues edge) as they had done before which is a good thing as we are in 1999 and not 1989.

The band was down to three original members…Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini and Bobby Blotzer.  There is still no Robbin Crosby or Juan Croucier.  Replacing Juan on Bass is Robbie Crane making his first appearance with the band.  They didn’t replace Robbin which means only one guitar and that is a one of the negatives of the album.  The dual guitar sound was always a “Ratt” sound.

Out of all their albums, this is the one I am least familiar with.  I had lost interest with anything new from them and what I heard I didn’t like.  So, I had passed and have not ever owned this album and still don’t. I will pick it up if I ever catch it in the used section of a record store (is that giving away anything on my review???).

This has been a very hard post to write for me.  I have had to take a lot of time as I wanted to give the album a fair shake as I really love this band.  I needed to be inspired to write something about the album and although I am writing this post now, I still don’t know really what to say.  I will do my best though.

Continue reading “Ratt – Ratt (1999) – Album Review” →

My Sunday Song – “Lakini’s Juice” by Live

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic14 Comments

For My Sunday Song #110, we are going to explore the world of Live and their song “Lakini’s Juice”.  The song is off their 1997 album ‘Secret Samadhi’ and was the first single off the record.  It did pretty well as it went to #1 on the Mainstream Rock Track chart and when it came out it caught my attention.

But what is Lakini’s Juice?  For that, you have to delve into the world of Hindu.  Lakini is goddess and is described below…

She has a black or dark-blue vermilion color; three faces, each with three eyes; is four-armed; holds a thunderbolt, the arrow shot from the bow of Kama, fire and makes the gesture of granting boons and dispelling fear. She is seated upon a red lotus. (wikipedia).

Lakini is the goddess of the Manipuraka Chakra and Lakini’s Juice comes from this…

In Hinduism, Lakini is the goddess of the Manipuraka (city of jewels), which is the third of the seven Chakras. This Chakra represents the solar plexis of the human body, just above the navel, and is responsible for the pancreas and gall bladder as well as intuition (gut feelings). Lakini’s “juice” is the bile, pancreatic fluid, and other chemicals produced by this region of the body that aid in digestion and excretion. (popdose.com)

LIVE_LAKINIS+JUICE+-+CLEAR+VINYL-83747

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Lakini’s Juice” by Live” →

Friday New Releases – September 21st

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic25 Comments

Another great week and some awesome releases to grab hold of today.  There is not a long list, but some varied and interesting stuff.  My choices are highlighted in Blue. Take a look through and let me know if there is anything that interests you and let me know. Let me know also if I missed something good that is out today…as I always miss a few.  Have a great weekend and Happy Listening!!

  • 61xyEppL38L._SS500  Slash – Living the Dream (Feat. Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators) – (Snakepit Records LLC):  Where does Slash find the time to record with the heavy tour schedule since Guns N Roses reunited (most of the band anyway).  Anything with Myles Kennedy on vocals is a must for me.  Slash’s name just adds to the excitement.  I will be spinning this one for sure.

  • 61UPmpqE+TL._AC_US436_QL65_  Hardcore Superstar – You Can’t Kill My Rock ‘n Roll – (Gain/Sony):  Here is a band that the US has kind of ignored and it is a shame. From what I have heard so far sounds great and this might be first up on the drive to work!!  Give them a chance and check them out.  You might like it!!

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – September 21st” →

Turntables & Vinyl #16 – The Kiss Kollection

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic23 Comments

If you follow this blog at all, you will know I am a Kiss fan.  I am not the crazy fan that collects everything although I am starting to have those tendencies and might be there soon.  I am a fan that wants their music whether it is vinyl, CD or DVD, I want it.  I have been working really hard on doing just that.  I have a long way to go, a very long way to go, but I feel I am off to a good start.  I am not missing much on the vinyl set; however I still need a few.

This post is just to document where I am with the collection.  The Turntable & Vinyl series is basically a diary of sorts of my vinyl adventures and this adventure needs a good update, so here we go.

I have broken it apart into sub-eras.  The first era is of course the debut up to Kiss Alive I.  When I started this blog, it talked about a box of vinyl I had, well in that box were Alive and Hotter than Hell.  I have since found Dressed to Kill and just recently bought Kiss (the debut).  I bought a new copy as I wasn’t having much luck finding a decent used copy, plus the new was only $12 which is what I probably would have paid (if not more) for a used original.

IMG_1147

Continue reading “Turntables & Vinyl #16 – The Kiss Kollection” →

My Sunday Song – “Ace of Spades” by Motorhead

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic17 Comments

For My Sunday Song #109, “Ace of Spades” by Motorhead gets the focus this week.  This is one of the most iconic Motorhead songs and it reached #15 on the charts when it was released back in 1980 on the album titled ‘Ace of Spades’.  The song actually hit the UK charts again after Lemmy’s death in 2015.  It went all the way to #13, two spots higher than the original run.

The song is all about gambling and has every known gambling cliche known to man included in the song and yet it works.  It was only 2:48 in length yet so memorable and impactful.  The menacing opening bass riff by Lemmy and that fast driving, dirty rock sound matched up with that gritty vocal by Lemmy is what makes this one of the great rock songs of all time.  It was the song that introduced me to Motorhead and I am sure I am not the only one.

R-729232-1399730385-6246.jpeg

As I am not a gambler (ok I am not a good one), I was curious about the dead man’s hand.  It turns out the Dead Man’s Hand relates to the hand that Wild Bill Hickok had when he was shot in the back of the head by Jack McCall while playing poker back in 1876.  The hand he supposedly had was 2 Black 8’s and 2 Black Aces.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Ace of Spades” by Motorhead” →

Friday New Releases – September 14th

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic31 Comments

Okay, sit back and get ready for a ton of new music today.  There are an abundance of albums to choose from today so hopefully there is something for you.  My tastes this week are all over the board from Rock to Country to Christian Pop to Alternative to Tony Bennett (he is a category all his own).  My choices are in Blue.  Let me know what does or doesn’t interest you and let me know what I missed.  Happy listening and have a great weekend.

  • 81TVE9D0ABL._SX522_  Monster Truck – True Rockers – (Mascot Records):  The band’s last album ‘Sittin’ Heavy’ was amazing and really got me into this band.  The first song I heard on this one didn’t excite me, but this will probably be the first one I listen to this morning.  Hopefully the rest of it packs a punch and gives me more of what I love from the band which is gritty and dirty straight up rock & roll.

  • A1w1VtfribL._AC_UL115_  Carrie Underwood – Cry Pretty – (Universal Music Group):  Don’t judge me, I like Carrie Underwood.  She is a guilty pleasure and I am not afraid to admit it.  She has an incredible voice and her rendition of “How Great Thou Art” will move you to tears.  Anyway, I am looking forward to another release by her so keep them coming Carrie.

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – September 14th” →

The Original Vs The Cover – “Higher Ground”

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic14 Comments

For this month’s The Original Vs The Cover, we are comparing the versions of the song “Higher Ground” originally performed by Stevie Wonder and then later covered by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  Two great artists and two very different versions so which will come out on top.

The song was written by Stevie Wonder and it came out on his 1973 album ‘Innervisions’.  It went all the way to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the R&B chart.  It was a very successful song for Stevie and in 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked it #265 on the Top 500 Songs of all time.  Not bad.

The song is possibly about two things.  One being second chances and the other is reincarnation (which could also be considered a second chance I guess).  Stevie wrote the song and recorded it in a span of 3 hours which to me is amazing.  According to Stevie, he felt a sense of urgency to get it done as if something was going to happen and he needed to finish it.  Just a few months later, he was in a car accident that put him in a coma for four days (3 days after the album was released).

Okay, let us get to the songs…

STEVIE WONDER

Stevie’s song is pure 70’s funk.  It has such an awesome little groove and that unique wah sound comes from a clavinet using a Mu-Tron III pedal.  What are those?  Here is a picture (thanks wikipedia).

Continue reading “The Original Vs The Cover – “Higher Ground”” →

Lit – These Are the Days – Album Review

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic9 Comments

Lit, the Pop punk, power pop, California rock band is back after five years with a new album and a very different sound.  They went from California Rock to California Country and why I have no idea.  They have always been a rock band; although that sound has changed a little over the years as they have grown as writers and musicians, they were still rock at heart.

Now I will admit, if you listen to their lyrics on their old albums, they could be Country songs as the word-play they do in the songs is similar to what you hear in Country music, only better because it was rock & roll.  Their music always made me feel good like I should be partying out on the beach with music blaring and a surf board in my hand (I have never surfed, but I wanted to if there were no sharks and no one watching to laugh).

DSmiKZVVAAAEPWX

Continue reading “Lit – These Are the Days – Album Review” →