Greetings to one and all on this wonderful Tuesday! Not too many albums (from AFGM's perspective) that are coming out today. But the quality of the music (I feel) makes up for the lack of diversity in this week's releases. Some of these I have taken a chance to preview and have high hopes for (F&TNS, Antennas to Hell, The Flood). Some of the reviews spoke very highly of a few of these albums as well such as The Gaslight Anthem and Who Cares (R.I.P. Jon Lord).
Anyways, check out the reviews and pick up a copy of your favourites from your local record store or an online retailer (most of which can be previewed as well):
Anyways, check out the reviews and pick up a copy of your favourites from your local record store or an online retailer (most of which can be previewed as well):
"The ’59 Sound. American Slang. Handwritten. The Gaslight Anthem presents its case-so-far. As listeners, as fans of music, we’ve already hit the lottery here. Let’s evaluate: These three albums, plus Elsie, means that we’ve already gotten four of the best records of the last half-decade, all from one band. What this also means is that no matter what The Gaslight Anthem does in the future, they are already entrenched. These albums will last forever. These albums will accompany me throughout my adult life; wherever I go, I will take these with me. I don’t think this is a band that’s going to rest on its laurels or bask in the glow of its current success, so I’m sure that they’ll continue to improve – although it’s hard to better a masterpiece like this. The Gaslight Anthem is the best band of this generation.
Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, Bob Dylan, Don Henley, Tom Sholz, Lindsey Buckingham, Neil Young, Mick Jagger, Roger Daltry, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder. These are the musicians our mothers and fathers listened to when they were growing up, when they procrastinated throughout college, when they bought their first cars, when they danced their first dance at their weddings, when they played music for their young children to grow up on. It’s impossible to predict what path a band will take in the future, but those names are no longer untouchable. Nothing is untouchable for Fallon and The Gaslight Anthem. And I’m perfectly content knowing I have this band’s music during this point in my life, because you know what? The Gaslight Anthem holds its own in a discussion like this. Now I’m done talking about it – I’m going to shut up and keep on listening, because if we’re really lucky, we’re only listening to the middle of an all-time great rock and roll career here. While it’s tiresome to call each new Gaslight Anthem release the best Gaslight Anthem release, I’ll have to keep doing so as long as they keep putting out records like Handwritten." -Absolute Punk
"It is heartfelt and magnificent at all levels at the same time. You’ll not be disappointed. The record is an impressive painting of sounds containing tracks that listen like a book of short stories or like a soundtrack of a film. It is also a real delight for music lovers. The images come to mind. The music fits the lyrics very well especially for Jaguar. Every songs are highly interesting,extremely creative (Triggers). It is inspiring for everyone. No Secrets, Chinatown, Slow Motion are my favorite tracks but there are many anthems that deserve your attention. The final track Ambien is sublime. I love.
…Finally, words are not enough to describe Fear and The Nervous System Self-titled Album. The best thing is to listen to it to appreciate it at its fair value and spread the word. It is musically far too good to be ignored by radios or music lovers. Don’t hesitate. Undoubtedly outstanding album and ultimately memorable for your music library." -Evigshed.com
"Who Cares, also billed as Ian Gillan, Tony Iommi & Friends, is a one-off heavy metal supergroup organized to make this benefit recording for Armenian earthquake relief. In addition to the former Deep Purple singer Gillan and Black Sabbath guitarist Iommi, the friends include Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord (R.I.P.), Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain, and former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted. The songs 'Out of My Mind' and 'Holy Water' do not comment specifically on the charity purpose; rather, they are well-conceived hard rock/heavy metal anthems with a distinct '70s feel, typical of a mixing of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, with Gillan's sonorous vocals expressing disorientation and loss ('I got no sense of purpose," he confesses in 'Holy Water'), while Iommi takes characteristic screaming leads. It would be easy to imagine this unit becoming a permanent outfit, or at least making a full-length album. [The digital release features only the two audio tracks; the physical release includes a video of 'Out of My Mind' and a documentary about the group.]" -All Music
"John's experimental attitude leads him to progressive synth pop. With heavy emphasis on drum tracks and synthesizer, Chili Pepper fans may be left shocked and confused, while dedicated fans of John's music will feel right at home with this EP. It may take a few listens to get the feel for it, but it doesn't take long before you're coming back to listen to the addictive 'In Your Eyes' or 'Glowe'.
What I love most is that this is just an EP, merely a taste of what we will be getting in 'PBX Funicular Intaglio Zone', which will have more of everything. More guitar, more synth, more drums, more John." -Ultimate Guitar
"Why ‘Antennas To Hell’ sets itself apart from most other compilations of this sort is that it depicts the evolution of the band, incorporating their highs and their lows and a display of their quality in a live capacity. Their road hasn’t been without its issues, from battling addiction to the loss of friends, yet this typifies the journey Slipknot have shared as a band through their music. Though they’re on uncertain ground musically at present, this signals the end of one fantastic chapter of Slipknot and the potential for their new, exciting journey. It’s taken a lot of strength for them to continue as a band, and this seems a fitting way to celebrate how far they’ve come, what they’ve survived and what they have to build from." -Indulge Sound
"As with almost any album in this genre anymore, The Flood does suffer from moments of over-familiarity. Anyone that’s followed Carlile’s body of work has probably heard many of the tones and tempos found on this record, as well as solid amount of his screams. However, it is the fact that Of Mice & Men have obviously put so much effort into evolving that somehow manages to leave the biggest impression. Even as the album winds down and the chugs start to feel a bit similar to earlier ones, moments like the heart-stopping bridge of “Repeating Apologies” or circle-pit inducing opening of “The Great Hendowski” hit and erase any negative thoughts you may have had.
Leaving it all ripped out of their chests and recorded to tape, 'I’m A Monster' arrives just in time to close The Flood as brutally intense as possible. If you aren’t numb when this song ends, you aren’t listening to it loud enough.
Forget what you’ve read, forget what you’ve heard, and hell, forget what you know about Of Mice & Men. The Flood is a decidedly huge step forward for a band that many didn’t believe would ever have a second album and sets the bar for other genre titles this year. While it has its moments of doubt, there is no denying the amount of hard work, passion, and emotion poured into every second of this record." -Under The Gun Review
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