Friday New Releases – April 29, 2022

Happy Friday! And welcome to another Friday New Release post and the last one for April. Hard to believe April is over!! But what is not hard to believe is that we have over 50 releases for you again this week and it is a wide range of genres. There is something for everyone this week. I am not running out to buy and of these just yet, but I have a handful I will give a listen and they are marked in Blue. Let me know what you want to hear this week. Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

  • 71CXv7Gy4AL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Miranda Lambert – Palomino – (Vanner Records / Sony Music): Miranda is back with her 9th album in 20 years. I am not a massive country fan, but I do like me some Miranda. This might be first up this week.
  • 91srbavPHlL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Crashdiet – Automaton – (Crusader Records / Golden Robot Global): We’ve talked about it before that Sweden manufactures Sleaze Rock/Glam Rock bands and this is another in the long line of bands. They are back with their sixth album and I will look forward to some good rock & roll!
Continue reading “Friday New Releases – April 29, 2022”

Heart – “What About Love” – The 45 Single

I haven’t done one of these in awhile where I highlight a 45 Single in my collection so I went through and pulled out “What About Love” from the band Heart.  The song is from what is considered their comeback album ‘Heart’ that was released in 1985 and the single was the first off the album and released on June 1, 1985.

The song is a cover song actually and was originally performed by the band Toronto.  It was written by Brian Allen. Sheron Alton and Jim Vallance.  You know Jim as he is the writing partner for some guy named Bryan Adams.  Brian & Sheron were in Toronto, however, Jim wasn’t although he did play drums on the song.  Enough about them, let’s get to Heart.

IMG_2351 Continue reading “Heart – “What About Love” – The 45 Single”

The Original vs. The Cover – “Alone”

For this edition of The Original vs. The Cover, we are going to discuss the song “Alone” by the band i-Ten.  What?  You never heard of them.  Honestly, neither had I, but you know their songs as bands from the 80’s covered a ton of their songs including bands like Honeymoon Suite, REO Speedwagon, Juice Newton and most notable they had success with songs such as “Like a Virgin”, “So Emotional”, “True Colors” and “Eternal Flame.  They weren’t really a band, it was a writing duo of Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly who made up the band i-Ten.  It was that success that Heart decided to cover their song “Alone”.

The song’s theme is simple.  It is about a person who is in love with another and they are struggling to get them alone to tell them how they feel.  It is possible it is an unrequited love, but he/she won’t know until they tell them how much they want them.  We’ve all been there before.

i-TEN

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I will admit, I never have heard this version before I decided to do this post.  The song didn’t do very well for the band as their song and was put aside and basically forgotten. The song is a pure 80’s.  It is a little dated in its sound today, but you can hear how good of a song it really is.  It is surprising it didn’t do anything for them, but then again, they were not a well-known act and getting on the radio was difficult (or even MTV). Continue reading “The Original vs. The Cover – “Alone””

Friday New Releases – September 14th

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.

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My Sunday Song – “Barracuda” by Heart

My Sunday Song #54 is by the one and only Heart.  The song is “Barracuda” off their 1977 album ‘Little Queen’.  The song was their second highest charting song at the time and it was their second Top 20 hit peaking at #11.  “Magic Man” was their only song higher charting at #9.

Why do I like this song?  Easy, that guitar riff that opens the song and is played throughout is enough!!  It was one of their heavier rock songs and showed they could kick some serious ass.  The aggressiveness of the music and the lyrics made them a powerhouse and I think made people take note of how great they can be.  This was the song that made me a Heart fan.

From what I can find on the song, it is mostly about Ann Wilson’s disdain for their former label Mushroom Records.  Apparently Mushroom Records had placed ads in magazines/papers that hinted that Ann & Nancy were lesbian lovers having an incestuous relationship.  Needless to say, this angered her greatly and from great anger comes great music. (thanks to Songfacts.com).  You can see the add that was placed by clicking on HEART AD. That would have pissed me off as well.  The band left the label shortly thereafter and the rest is history.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Barracuda” by Heart”