Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Music Releases For November 20th, 2012

Oops.  Dropped the ball on the weekly releases for Canada/US here.  My apologies to everyone.  As most (part time/inspiring) musicians know, we all got day jobs that help pay the bills and my work day yesterday was no exception, hence why there wasn't much happening on AFGM.

Anyways, so we didn't have too much being released that I personally dive into for music.  We have a couple from the metal genre, a couple from rock and there are a few that I know will be big sellers in the music stores (Kid Rock, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson), but I don't necessarily listen to them or not enough of them so they don't make the cut (haha).  However, I'm always open to discussion if you feel I missed an album and wanted to shed some light on it.  I also want to note that I try my best to deliver a decent review from another site (who actually sits down and review these albums in better depth than I could/would).  The metalcore genre is VERY over saturated and as much as I love that style of music, the generic sounds seem to flow into one another and thus, giving generic reviews of the albums.  If you love the bands and feel that it was a bad review or my choice wasn't correct then let's start a convo and figure out a course of action here.

So if you didn't get the chance yesterday, then head down (or up) to your local record store or online retailer to grab a few of these great albums!


2012 collection from the Post-Grunge rockers containing two new recordings. From that first explosive burst of 'Kryptonite', which ignited their storied career at the top of the last decade, to subsequent multi-platinum albums, and non-stop touring regimen that finds them still notching shows around the world at a record pace, they also earned a hard-fought pedigree as one of most exciting and authentic radio icons. Their impressive and steady ascension up the ladder has seen them score multiple #1 hits across formats, snag several Billboard and other awards, and log scores of sold-out shows over a growing global terrain that is nearing 40 countries. Greatest Hits reflects on 3 Doors Down's incredible journey thus far, while paving the way for even more success and timeless rock to come. -Amazon


(Sorry WIM fans, I scoured the net for a decent review of the album and the best I got was a 5/10.)

The initial statement made by the introduction and openings tracks 'D-Day' and 'F.Y.I' is that the band are trying pretty hard to approach the post-hardcore genre in a new light, while also featuring some pretty well travelled ground at the same time. So for example, the brutal screams over an electronic beat ,which lead into some fairly standard chugging and double kick. It’s like this for the entire record, one moment that will make you raise your eyebrows in surprise, the next that will make you lower them due to predictable boredom. -Kill Your Stereo


...there is something oddly reassuring about reaching the closing passages of the album. You know what that is? The fact that there is no slow burner/acoustic track to divide the speed and mood. That is something we’ve come to expect from most metalcore bands, and that result is strangely gratifying.

For a band so young, they’ve taken the craft of relentless chaos to the standard the industry has been calling for so desperately over the past few years. So what should the next step for this five-piece from Ohio be musically? Variety, sparseness, and the art of surprise. This album is solid and they’ve got the chops, but if they want to have a chance at being more than subtle mediocrity, they will have to take the next step. -Mind Equals Blown


Despite the live setting preventing Octane Twisted from having the same effects as the studio versions of the conceptual tracks that it hosts, the live setting also brings out another completely different and unique side of The Incident that could not be achieved on the studio LP, and stands as another great testament of the magic Porcupine Tree’s showmanship can work for audiences while performing live. -Sputnik Music


‘The Opposite of December’ and ‘Tear From the Red’ have both been out of print for years. The newly remastered albums will also be put out on double 12″ gatefold vinyl, deluxe CD and as a low-priced digital album.

Released in 1999, ‘The Opposite of December’ is regarded as one of the most important albums which shaped modern post-hardcore and metalcore. ‘Tear From the Red’ wasn’t as well received as their previous work, but is now seen as more of a bridge to the experimental style that Poison the Well would later adopt and perfect. -Loudwire


On December 10, 2007, Led Zeppelin took the stage at London’s O2 Arena to headline a tribute concert for dear friend and Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. What followed was a two-hour-plus tour de force of the band’s signature blues-infused rock ’n’ roll that instantly became part of the legend of Led Zeppelin. Founding members Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were joined by Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham, to perform 17 songs from their celebrated catalog including landmark tracks "Whole Lotta Love," "Rock And Roll," "Kashmir," and "Stairway To Heaven." A film of the show, "Celebration Day, is now available on DVD and Blu-ray and includes the entire concert in HD video and in 5.1, 48/24 hi-resolution audio surround sound. "Celebration Day" is an incredible document of the now legendary concert, which has been described as possibly the greatest rock and roll concert ever. The two hour feature length film is presented in beautiful high definition video, and stunning audio quality. The aspect ratio is 16x9. The film is directed by Dick Carruthers who had previously worked with Led Zeppelin on their award winning 2003 release "DVD" - a release that remains one of the highest selling music DVD's of all time. The "Celebration Day" film is already critically acclaimed and the DVD & Blu-ray releases are certain to become consistently high selling titles in the Led Zeppelin catalog. A bonus DVD in the deluxe versions features the dress rehearsal at Shepperton Studios, filmed a few days before the O2 concert. The rehearsal is filmed in SD and recorded in stereo. -Amazon


But while Into the Future, like Build a Nation before it, harkens back to the Brains’ golden age, it’s not the ROIR Sessions. The band couldn’t recreate that sort of spitfire aggression today if they tried, and it would be almost unfair to expect them to. But it’s close, and considering the ups and downs the band has endured over the years, that might be more than anyone could’ve rightfully asked for in 2012. While they’ve been beat up and torn apart numerous times over the years, Into The Future proves that in spite of their trials, time hasn’t been all bad to the Brains. -Consequence of Sound


AC/DC Live At River Plate was recorded in Buenos Aires in December 2009 when nearly 200,000 fans (over 3 sold-out nights) thunderously welcomed AC/DC back after a 13-year absence from Argentina. The two CD set captures the legendary grandeur, excitement and energy that AC/DC's live performances are renowned for. This ultimate live recording chronicles one of the largest shows from their massively successful Black Ice World Tour (where they performed to over 5 million fans in 108 cities in over 28 countries). The 19 tracks on AC/DC Live At River Plate span AC/DC's extensive repertoire, including old and new classics like 'Back In Black,' 'Thunderstruck,' 'You Shook Me All Night Long' and 'Rock N Roll Train.' -Amazon


The guitars riffs used throughout The Fallout don't do much to keep me interested. All of the riffs sound the same on every song and the breakdowns don't liven the music at all. The drumming is standard, but nothing special. The piano is an instrument used to try and make this band stand out from the others, but fails in that regard. The piano doesn't suit the music well and sticks out in the parts that it is used. Overall, there is nothing brilliant with the instrumentation or anything else for that matter.

Crown The Empire tries too hard to be unique and ultimately this is their downfall. With many influences (My Chemical Romance, Motionless In White, etc.) drawn from across multiple genres, The Fallout still sounds like your average metalcore album, just with a couple of extra additions. There is nothing here to bring me back for a second listen, but I'm sure some people will enjoy this album nonetheless. -Megusta Reviews

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