New Releases (updated)

For those new to the site, I have a page that contains a list of the New Releases out now or coming in the very near future.  I update it weekly (mostly weekly).  The list is of all albums I am interested in, albums I have heard about, or albums that are getting a lot of buzz.  Hopefully you can find something you can’t wait to get your hands on.

I also post the Friday New Releases every Friday for those great releases that are coming out that day to keep you in the loop.  Keep an eye out for those.

There is a link at the top of the home page that you can go to every time you visit.  Or you can just click right here on NEW RELEASES.  Below is the current list as of this morning.  I recently added Kenny Wayne Shepard Band, George Thorogood, Katy Perry, Imagine Dragons, Styx and so many more…I hope you enjoy

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Friday New Releases – May 19th

Another Friday has arrived and as school starts to wind down for some and Summer is coming, there are a bunch of new albums for you to choose from.  Anything strike your fancy???  There are a few for me and they are highlighted in Blue.  There are more I want to hear, but these three are the ones I will attack first. Enjoy!

  • 170x170bb-34  Linkin Park – One More Light – (Warner Bros):  Their new song “Heavy” is doing well on the charts and features Kilara.  My kids love this song and it doesn’t sound like the Linkin Park of old.  I am interested in seeing what the rest has to offer.  I haven’t been thrilled with their current releases and hoping for some return to greatness with this one.

  • 170x170bb-2  Papa Roach – Crooked Teeth – (Eleven Seven Music):  Big fan of Papa Roach and so glad they are back with some more hard rock.  The Deluxe Edition of this gives you a live concert from The Fillmore in Detroit.  That means the Deluxe is a must grab for me.

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Everywhere – “Man Up” feat. Rebecca Nohr

Everywhere is back with a brand new single called “Man Up”.  If you remember from last year, I featured their fabulous E.P., Fiction Act, which you can check out by clicking on the album name.

The song is a high energy pop song with a heavy European, electronic sound that makes you want to get out of your chair and hit the dance floor.  The song features the lovely voice of Swedish singer and songwriter, Rebecca Nohr.  She adds a new flavor to their sound and she nicely compliments Max Berga’s vocals.  As discussed below, the song “Man Up” is about just that…being a Man and how hard it is to live up to that standard with what life throws at you.

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Chris Stapleton – From A Room: Volume 1 – Album Review

Finally, a Country album worth writing about.  I can not stand the pop country music that is played on the radio today.  It is all fluff and no substance.  Country music should make you feel something and tell a great story.  The only thing I feel with most of country music today is…well…nothing.  That is the problem.

That changed with the appearance of Chris Stapleton on to the scene.  He is what Country music should be.  With his first album, ‘Traveller’, back in 2015, Chris brought the old school brand of Country music back for everyone to enjoy.  He was one of the most talked about new artist to come around in a long, long time.  The funny thing is he really isn’t new as he has been a songwriter for years, but was finally able to break through as a solo artist.

‘From A Room: Volume 1’ was recorded Nashville at the famed RCA Studio A where some of the greats recorded such as Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.  Their spirit is heard throughout the album and brings back the old school Country music that we have longed to hear for years.

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My Sunday Song – “Hard Love” by Needtobreathe

For My Sunday Song #39, I chose “Hard Love” by Needtobreathe.  “Hard Love” is off their latest album of the same name that came out last year.  It is a phenomenal album and you can check out my review by clicking HARDLOVE.

The song has been everywhere lately.  It is on the soundtrack to the movie ‘The Shack’ and the song features Lauren Daigle.  They have several of the versions of the song featuring other female singers including Andra Day and Serena Ryder.  Their Facebook page has been highlighting what Hard Love means to you…the fans.  Some great stories so go check it out.

What does Hard Love mean to me?  Hard Love for me is marriage and raising your kids.  They both require so much work.  At times it is so hard, so painful, but at the same time it is so rewarding and so satisfying.  No body is perfect and we will never be, but we have to work Hard at it all the time.  My relationship with my wife is strong because of all the work we have put in to it and it definitely has been a Hard Love…but so worth it!!  Same can go with my kids.  No matter how hard it is, seeing them grow into the people they are makes it all so amazing and again…so worth it.

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Friday New Releases – May 12th

Happy Friday!!  Quite a few I am interested to listen to this week.  Not sure how much merit they have, but I still want to give a listen.  There is a little something for everyone as there is rock, country, pop, hip hop and even a TV show soundtrack.  I hope there is something for you.  I have quite a few I want to at least give one listen to just to try it out and those will be highlighted in Blue, as usual.

  • 51atuZsoUGL._AC_US218_  Harem Scarem – United – (Frontiers Records Srl):  This Toronto, Canada band is out with yet another release just three years after their last one.  I believe this is number 14 or 15, I have lost count they have so many.  Down here in the U.S., they are not a household name mainly because they came out as this type of music was killed off by Grunge.  If you haven’t heard of them, check them out as I am sure they have something you will like.  I only discovered them about 10+ years ago and I am so glad I did.  I now have every album and even some rarer ones.  I can’t wait for this one and haven’t heard any song yet as I want to hear it all at once.  They video below is posted without me even viewing it first.

  • 170x170bb-99  Zac Brown Band – Welcome Home – (Elektra Records):  I am not a huge country fan and find myself criticizing a lot of the current country cowboys that are there as they are are too polished and songs are pure and utter crap.  Zac Brown is so not that for me.  He is what I do like about country.  I am eager to hear this one.

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The Police – “Roxanne” – The 45 Single (1978)

In the continuing sage of the vinyl filled box I found another 45 single and this one was by The Police.  It was for the song “Roxanne” which is one of their signature songs.  Sadly, I don’t have a cover jacket for it.  The sleeve it was in was for Columbia Records; however, the single was released by A&M so I know it is not the right sleeve.  No matter, the single still plays regardless.  Below are the Original UK cover (left) and the alternate cover in the UK (right – is Stewart picking his nose???).

And here is mine…

IMG_0091

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Colton Dixon – Identity (Deluxe Edition – 2017) – Album Review

Colton Dixon is one of the rising stars in the Christian genre.  As everyone always has to mention, he is a former American Idol contestant who finished in 7th place on Season 11. Now on his third album, the maturity and vocal talent are hitting their peak. Colton has been growing with each release and ‘Identity’ shows definitely shows that growth.

‘Identity’ is a very ambitious album for this young singer.  The Deluxe Edition is a startling 17 tracks and is a loosely based concept album.  I say loosely as the album doesn’t tell a story from beginning to end, but appears to be broken into three parts with the songs representing that theme.  The three themes are “The Mind”, “The Body” and “The Spirit”.

“The Mind”

The first part of the album is “The Mind”.  The album starts off with the Interlude called “The Mind” which is an instrumental piece with angel like voiceovers by a female and male voiceover giving you the theme of the section.  It is actually quite great.  The song transitions seamlessly into the title track “Identity”.  The four songs in this section are all pop songs that in one shape or another are representative of the mind.

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My Sunday Song – “Even If” by MercyMe

For My Sunday Song #38, I chose “Even If” by MercyMe. I know I just did a MercyMe but that post was written before I discovered this song.  The song is off their new album, “Lifer” and is the first single from that release (Click on “Lifer” to read the review). It is currently #1 on iTunes in the Christian genre.

What I get from the song is that no matter how dark things may get, no matter how bad your situation may be, no matter if you feel if God is not their to help…He is there for you!  There is someone I know that is probably going through the most difficult time of their life and I hope they dig deep and reach out to God for forgiveness and for help.

God is a comfort for me.  I might not “walk the walk” or “talk the talk” as a Christian person should, but I know He is there when I need Him…which is a lot.

From FreeCCM.com, I found an article by FreeCCMAbby that discusses the meaning behind the song.  There is a video you can watch that will discuss the song.  I am borrowing the following quote from the site

“Even If” is a reminder to people in difficult situations that don’t seem to go away. God is worthy long before any of those circumstances even showed up. This song is a declaration to God that even if He went silent and never said another word, He’s still worthy to be praised and that He’s our greatest hope in the midst of the trial.” – Bart Millard (MercyMe)

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Friday New Releases – May 5th

The first Friday in May is upon us and there is not a ton of stuff out this week.  There are a few artists I am interested in and a bunch I am not.  Hopefully you can find something you will like.  The ones I will listen to first are highlighted in Blue (as usual).

  • 170x170bb-15  Chris Stapleton – From A Room: Volume 1 – (Mercury Records):  In only his 2nd release, Chris Stapleton seems like he has been around awhile…which he has but not as a solo artist.  After the huge success of his debut album I am really interested in hearing what he now brings us.  I actually hope it is more of the same as his first album was spectacular.  If the first single is any indication of what is to come, then we are in for a treat.

  • 170x170bb-8  Blondie – Pollinator – (Noble ID, LLC):  Debby Harry and group are back again with another new release.  This is their 11th studio album and honestly i am surprised (and glad) that they are still putting out albums.  There are still 3 original members including Debby so I guess that still makes a complete enough band to make them still worth hearing and not a Debby Harry solo album.

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