#TBT – The Alarm – Strength

I first came across The Alarm because one of my brothers had their album Declaration. This was back around 1984.  I really enjoyed that album and when Strength came out in October 1985 on IRS Records, I had to get it.

The Alarm, if you don’t know, were a four piece, new wave band out of Wales.  I believe at the time, the band was Mike Peters, David Sharp, Eddie Macdonald, and Nigel Twist.

This was the first album I really paid attention to how an album flowed. These songs seemed like they were meant to be in the order they were placed on the album. The songs maintained a specific sound and style throughout.  There were no fillers and each song had a purpose.

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Music Challenge – King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

Alright, it is time for another music challenge.  Go listen to an album that you have never heard before and pick it strictly off the Band Name, the Album Name, or the Album Cover. Once you have listened to one, come back and tell me what you picked and what you thought.

My pick was based strictly off the Band Name.  And that band name is King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard.  How could I not pick this one.  That is a great band name.

The band was formed in 2010 and this is their 8th studio album.  That is right, I said 8 albums and in 6 years. No band nowadays does that.  They are a 7 piece band out of Australia and they could be classified as psychedelic rock / alternative / experimental / I don’t know what.

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We Are Twisted F**king Sister – Documentary

I never expected to sit down and watch a documentary on Twisted Sister.  However, it was raining outside and I decided to see what was on Netflix.  Lo and behold, there was the documentary, “We Are Twisted F**king Sister”.

I will admit, outside of their hits on the radio and their music videos, I don’t know much about Twisted Sister.  The member I knew about the most was Dee Snider as he was the one always making the headlines.  I do have their greatest hits album, but never listened to any of their albums from beginning to end.

The documentary was directed by Andrew Horn and he was the producer and about every other important job with regards to the film.  The basis behind the documentary is how the band was formed and their 10 year struggle to get a record deal.

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Women that Rock – Playlist

Most of the rock albums I have are sung by men.  However, there are a lot of great rock songs and albums with female lead singers.  I was sitting here listening to Janis Joplin and started thinking about who were some of my favorite female lead singers that could rock it out.  Below is my list of my favorite Women that Rock.

Here we go.

“Piece of My Heart” – Janis Joplin

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Gotthard / Steve Lee – Artist Profile

Gotthard is a rock band out of Switzerland and sadly never got much, if any, airplay here in the states. This is another band I was introduced to thanks to the website Melodicrock.com.  I don’t think I would have ever heard of them otherwise, and I would have missed out on a great band.

The band was started back in the early 90’s and they have gone on to be one of the top selling bands in Switzerland. I believe at one time, the top selling was a little known band named Krokus.  Who doesn’t love Krokus.

Gotthard Lee 2010

The moving force behind Gotthard was the lead singer Steve Lee.  He had such an amazing voice and he could rock out or sing a heartfelt ballad.  He had a little raspiness in his voice and his vocals brought so much passion and life to these songs it gave you an instant connection to them.

Sadly, in October 2010, Steve Lee was killed in a freak accident when he was on a motorcycle tour in the U.S.  I still remember when I heard the news and I can say I was truly upset.  I spent the next few days listening to their albums non-stop.

The band has gone on to replace Steve with a new lead singer, but it is not the same.  The band I am writing about here is specifically the era of Steve Lee.

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Friday New Releases – April 29th

It is Friday again and not a moment too soon.  Today’s new releases are just what this metal head has been waiting for and I have a feeling these will be on heavy rotation over the next week.

Sixx A.M. – Prayers for the Damned (Eleven Seven Music)

When Nikki Sixx put together Sixx A.M. for the Heroin Diaries, I thought it was going to be a one-off project.  Gladly that was not the case.  This album is their fourth one and since all three previous albums have been exceptional, I am hoping that streak continues.

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#TBT – Queensryche – Operation: Mindcrime

The year was 1988.  I was too impatient to wait for Def Leppard to come to Atlanta, so my friend Steve and I drove to Chattanooga, TN to see them in concert.  The opening act for this tour I was not familiar with at all.  A band called Queensryche.

Needless to say, I was blown away by their show.  The songs I loved the most were from an album called Operation: Mindcrime.  I bought the CD and it has become one of all my ALL-TIME FAVORITE albums.  I know I say this or that is one of my favorites, but this would be in my Top 10 list of Favorite Albums.

The album came out at the end of the Reagan era and epitomizes the disdain for government and all the political corruption at the time.  The sad thing is this album could be  about our current times as well.  Which means this album has held up over time and is just as good now as then.

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Ace Frehley & Paul Stanley – Fire & Water (Official Video)

Alright Kiss fans, rejoice!  Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley together again.  Check out the official video just released today to Ace’s new song, Fire & Water, from his album Origins Vol. 1.

Thriving Ivory / Midnight Cinema – Artist Profile

I guess you are getting a two-for-one artist profile.  As I am doing a profile on Thriving Ivory & Midnight Cinema.  No, they are not the same band even though they have most of the same bandmates.  The difference is explained below.  They are both great Pop/Rock bands and that voice of Clayton Stroupe is amazing.

Thriving Ivory

Thriving Ivory was based out of California and consisted of  Clayton Stroope, Drew Cribley, and Paul Niedermier.  Clayton’s voice is very unique. I believe it is one of those you either love it, or hate it.  Me, I love it. It gives them their own unique sound and different is always good.

The band’s first album, Thriving Ivory, came out in 2008 and contained their biggest hit “Angels on the Moon”.  I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it.  iTunes was offering the video for free one week and that was how I came across the song.  The song went on to go Gold selling over 500,000 singles.

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