Friday New Releases – October 11th

Happy Friday, it couldn’t get here quick enough.  There are a handful of releases this week. Nothing has me overly excited, but there are a few I will give a listen.  Those will be highlighted in Blue.

  • 51o1xhoeznl-_ac_us160_  Sting – 57th & 9th – (A&M):  I haven’t listened to much of his stuff lately, but figured with the limited releases this week I would give it a try.  No big expectations, so hopefully won’t be disappointed.

  • 61xdukofeil-_ac_us160_  Rik Emmett & RESolution 9 – RES9 – (Provogue):  The former Triumph singer is back.  I was so pumped when I heard he was putting out new material.  He even teams up with former bandmates…Cool!!  However, early comments don’t sound promising.  Doesn’t matter…he has earned enough cred for me to give it a spin.

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Dee Snider – ‘We Are The Ones’ – Album Review

When I heard Dee Snider was finally releasing another solo album, I was actually excited.  I had recently become a fan of his and his former band Twisted Sister after watching their documentary “We Are Twisted F#@king Sister”.  I had heard of them, of course, and love all their hits; however, I garnered a whole new respect for the band and how much they busted their hump and earned every ounce of success they had.

My expectations for the album were relatively low due mainly to his solo release ‘Dee does Broadway’.  The Twisted Sister lead singer doing Broadway tunes?  I couldn’t wrap my head around that one.  So, imagine my delight when I hit play.  It was beyond anything I was expecting and it was full of surprises.  The album rocked out, but was much more radio friendly for most of the songs.  There was enough variety to keep your interest and not disappoint any fans.Damon Ranger was the producer and helped Dee craft a great all around album.

The album opened with the title song “We Are the Ones” which to no surprise was a rocker and exactly what I was hoping he would deliver.  The next song, “Over Again” which is another old school rocker.  The chorus is very catchy and you will catch yourself singing it Over and Over and Over Again (sorry…had to go there).

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

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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Friday New Releases – November 4th

Happy Friday! Take a look at the list of new releases and see what floats your boat.  There are a few I am really excited and interested to hear, but one of those I don’t have much hope that it will be good (Bon Jovi).  The ones I will be attacking first are highlighted in Blue.

  • 61acgdxyfll-_ac_us160_  Bon Jovi – This House Is Not For Sale – (Island Records):  Bon Jovi’s track record over their last 3-4 albums has been piss poor.  A couple songs I have heard so far suck!!!, but some were decent.  Still doesn’t give me much hope that this will be any good. I will still listen off the extreme hope that one day they will find glory again.

  • cover170x170-35  Robbie Williams – The Heavy Entertainment Show – (Robert Williams/Farrell Music):  I am a huge Robbie Williams fan. I have never understood how he didn’t have much success stateside, but that is okay as I like him anyway.  Eagerly anticipating this release.  I am sure it will be great.  Read my post on the Top 20 Robbie Williams songs.  I wonder if any of these songs will force me to update that list???

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The Worst Song Ever?

Every decade gives us crappy songs and the 80’s probably gave us one of the worst songs I have ever heard.  I find it amazing that this song actually received steady rotation on MTV. What is the song you ask?  It is “Fish Heads” by Barnes & Barnes.

Now I think the song actually came out in 1978 and was a favorite of Dr. Demento’s radio show, but that doesn’t help its case for me.  Even knowing that actor, Bill Paxton, was the appeared in the video still doesn’t help.  I think I saw somewhere he was also the director. That just makes me think less of Bill Paxton (that and Twister didn’t help).

I know this was a comedy bit, but it is so gawd awful.  I can’t find one redeeming thing about this song.   Maybe I am too dense to be in on the joke.  See what you think and if you don’t die from a brain hemorrhage, let me know your thoughts.

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The Scariest Bands – Happy Halloween!!

Halloween is a fun time to dress up into your alter ego whether it is Tramping out or going full on scary.  The following bands don’t need Halloween to go full on scary because they are that way all the time.  I am going to keep the list rather mainstream because there is some really crazy sh#t out there that actually scares me, but probably too crude and disturbing to actually post.

Here are the some of the Scariest Rock Bands that have crossed our path.

Slipknot:  A heavy metal band out of Iowa, Slipknot is known for the stage shows where the band dresses up in similar clothing but each wearing masks that are very unique and quite scary at times.  The band would do a lot of stage diving, fighting and occasionally would light other band members on fire which made for a crazy concert experience.

Slipknot Live In London at Live Download 2009

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

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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“Hallelujah” by Pentatonix & Leonard Cohen & Jeff Buckley

One of my all time favorite songs is “Hallelujah” and one of the most covered songs.  I am most familiar with the version by Leonard Cohen (the original) and then of course my personal favorite , Jeff Buckley.

I came across this version by Pentatonix that they released this past week and I have to say I enjoyed it.  It is off their new album, ‘A Pentatonix Christmas’.  It reminded me how great the songs is and always will be.  However, nothing beats Buckley’s version in my opinion. I can enjoy this one as well.

I will share all three versions with you and you can pick your favorite.

Pentatonix:

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Friday New Releases – October 28th

It feels like I just did this last week…oh wait…I did.  Another Friday and another week full of Christmas albums.  I can’t wait (he says very sarcastically).  There are a plethora of new releases, but only a few must haves for me.  There a few metal ones down the list I will probably give a listen to as well.  The most intriguing for me are highlighted in Blue.

  • 51e2Mw7ItvL._AC_US160_  Dee Snider – We Are the Ones – (Snider Than Thou Productions):  The Twisted Sister frontman, Dee Snider, is releasing his first ever solo album and all I can say is..IT IS ABOUT DAMN TIME!!!

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Lady Gaga – Joanne (2016)- Album Review

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.