Friday New Releases – July 1, 2022

Wow! Already July and sadly, there are not a lot of releases this weekend and that couple that we are coming up on July 4th…Independence Day in the U.S. and maybe they know everyone is either traveling and/or spending too much on Fireworks. There is one I am excited about and have pre-ordered. Hopefully it will be here today. It is the first on on the list. Let me know what you want to hear this week. Thanks for stopping by and I hope everyone has a great and wonderful weekend!

  • 812wUhU32NL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Shinedown – Planet Zero – (Atlantic Recording Corp): My one big listen this week (and purchase) is Shinedown’s new one ‘Planet Zero’. This is the band’s 7th album in almost 20 years, so not too bad. They keep pushing themselves and trying new things and I can’t wait to hear what they bring to the table this time around.

And then we have all the rest. Hopefully you find something you like!!

  • 814REH0ZWOL._AC_UY436_FMwebp_QL65_  Imagine Dragons – Mercury – Acts 1 & 2 – (KidinaKorner / Interscope Records)
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My Sunday Song – “Coming Home” by Sons of Apollo

For My Sunday Song #287, we are going to discover the first single from one of the most talented bands Jeff Scott Soto has been in. The song is “Coming Home” and it is off the album ‘Psychotic Symphony’ from the band Sons of Apollo. Why do I say most talented, let’s look at the players. Obviously you have Jeff Scott Soto on vocals or this post wouldn’t be happening, but you also have Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal on guitar, Billy Sheehan on bass, Derek Sherinian on keyboards and Mike Portnoy on drums. It don’t get much better than this. This song was the world’s introduction to the band and what a statement they made with it.

Normally, I go in to the song meanings before I get in to the music, but I can’t wait to talk about the music. That opening keyboard riff by Derek Sherinian is classic and brutal. If you expected the album to be all prog rock, you’d be wrong. This song is pure Hard Rock reminiscent of Van Halen but maybe even heavier. Bumblefoot’s effortless riffs dance throughout the song, Sheehan’s bass gives us a new sound from what you’d expect from Billy and it adds so much groove to the song. And you can’t forget Portnoy’s drums which are as immense and immersive as you’ve ever gotten from him. It is pure power! Speaking of power, Jeff Scott Soto attacks the vocals and they are filled with such anger and intensity that you feel it throughout your body and those screams are piercing and yet so beautifully done. This was so unexpected and totally amazing and you have to hear it to believe it.

And what does the song mean, who cares. Just put it on repeat and let the abundance of sound fill every void of your body and rock the hell out of you. Each time you hear it, there is something you hadn’t heard before as there is so much going on musically you can’t help but be blown away.

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Kiss – ‘Alive III’ (1993) – Album Review (The Kiss Review Series)

Finally!! Kiss decided to release another live album and this one is ‘Alive III’ which was 17 years after their last release. Now they did release a live video, but this is the first album since ‘Alive II’ in 1977. The band recorded the album during the Revenge Tour in 1992 and used the recordings from the Cleveland, Detroit and Indianapolis stops of the tour. This is also the first live album of the Non-Makeup era and the first to not have the original Kiss line-up. The line-up is of course Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, but now it is Eric Singer on Drums and still Bruce Kulick on guitar. Oh yeah, and off to the side of the stage on keyboards is Derek Sherinian who toured with the band at this time since they added keyboards to a lot of the late 80’s songs.

Before we get to the music, let’s talk the packaging. We get a 2 LP set in a beautiful Gatefold cover. One side of the Gatefold has a really cool Kiss Family Tree. Although hard to read at times, it is a cool tracing back of where all the Kiss members, current and past, come from in their musical careers.

On the flip side of the Gatefold, you get the track listing and all the tour credits as well as some band pictures and a little note from the band.

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Friday New Releases – September 18, 2020

Ace is back!!! Welcome to Friday’s new releases and there are a handful of releases worth noting and of course, the true Spaceman himself has a new album out. Even if it is a covers album, I have already bought it is on its way! All my choices are highlighted in Blue which is only 2 for sure and maybe I will check out the Derek Sherinian and Flying Colors albums, but it will all depend on time. What is out this week that you want to hear or what did I miss from the list? Let me know in the comments. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!

  • 517kMXR55OL  Ace Frehley – Origins, Vol 2 – (Entertainment One): Yes!!! Ace is finally releasing his 2nd covers album which has been talked about since the release of Vol 1 a few years ago. It has some John 5, Robin Zander of Cheap Trick and the one and only, Bruce Kulick!! Yes Kiss Fans…Bruce!!! The two best Kiss guitarist are on a song together. Doesn’t get much better than that!!
  • 61sw2gzbXtL._SX522_  White Lion – All You Need is Rock & Roll: Complete Albums 1985-1991 – (Cherry Red): This album has been bumped time and time again and is finally coming out. It is a box set with the first four studio album plus a live disc which is the one I am wanting. I can’t “WAIT”!!!!
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Billy Idol – ‘Devil’s Playground’ – Album Review (The Billy Idol Series)

On March 22, 2005, Billy Idol returns to music with his first album of new material in over 12 years.  Way too long in my book.  While on tour prior to the album, Billy was approached by Sanctuary Records to record an album.  The trick was that they wanted it in the old Billy style and sound.

As a result, Billy, Steve Stevens and producer Keith Forsey re-teamed to record the album. Yep, the gang was back together and I couldn’t be more happy.  Along for the ride was Stephen McGrath on bass, Derek Sherinian on keyboards and Brian Tichy on drums.  Not a bad line-up.

Of course, Steve and Billy had some songs together.  However, it was only 3 songs for Steve.  Billy did most of his writing with drummer Brian Tichy who had 8 writing credits on the album.  Of course, Billy had to have a cover song and the album checks that bucket as well.  All was now in place.

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