Do you ever have those days where you are not sure what to do? Days where you're not sure if you want to get out of bed, what movie to watch tonight, what to make for dinner. Well, that's pretty close to me today when it comes to this week's music releases. There is a slew of tunes that have been catching my attention (as well as some new artists) and not sure where to start. Generally, the vibe tends to lean on the distortion side of things but there are some really good rock, country, and pop-ish tunes being released today as well.
While I am sure there are some folks claiming "you missed a few big names today", there's a reason why I 'missed' them. The artists I select here are based upon my initial assumptions and previous work from them. I assume that between all the reviews I have seen plus the song previews that this batch of music is along the lines of what AFGM is interested in promoting. You got a different POV, then let's see some links and comments either on social media or on this blog. I am not rushing to the music store to grab the latest Johnny Cash (RIP) or Shakira anytime soon, but I have enough knowledge and respect to know that both artists will produce top quality tunes for the respected genres. Tokyo Police Club and My Chemical Romance fall under the same moniker.
There aren’t really any real misfires on the album but “Broken Record” is too saccharine for my liking and piano ballad “That Way” feels like an afterthought. Shakira is an extremely good collection of songs without an obvious hit or overarching sound. It’s simply held together by the Colombian’s quirky lyrics and inimitable voice. And that’s more than enough for the diva’s millions of fans around the globe. -Idolator
The most interesting thing about it, in fact, is marvelling at how this endearingly antiquated Nashville makeover was once considered a “commercial” touch-up when the mainstream apogee of contemporary country in 2014 is represented by Lady Antebellum. Thank God Johnny Cash didn’t go that far. -Toronto Star
(My Chemical Romance - May Death Never Stop You: The Greatest Hits 2001-2013)
At worse, My Chemical Romance was a band that had a knack for writing catchy pop-punk songs. At their very best, the band wrote songs that caught the attention of the millions of young people the world over who then managed to transcend all the labels that were forced upon them to become and credible and acclaimed rock act. At least, The Black Parade was one hell of an experiment in storytelling and narrative and in song-writing ability and to do on such a scale was incredibly impressive. The number of anthems here is undeniable, and even their most ardent detractors won't be able to resist a good foot-stomping and fist-pumping upon hearing the band's biggest hits. May Death Never Stop You is a suitable farewell to a band who's legacy is yet to be decided, but if the title of “Fake Your Death” is anything to go by, you may just get the impression that we haven't actually seen the last of them yet. Certainly there's a whole generation of young fans who hope that to true and on the strength of May Death Never Stop You, I for one would have no qualms about the MCRmy going to battle once more. -411 Mania
(Tokyo Police Club - Forcefield)
But it’s also a misleading title. In actuality, Forcefield is the only Tokyo Police Club album that appears to be in tune with prevailing trends. In case you haven’t realized it yet, indie rock is basically pop now and Tokyo Police Club seem energized by not having to pretend like their candy hearts don’t pump Kool-Aid. The bubblegum alt-glam of “Hot Tonight” should be blasting out of Stacy’s mom’s minivan. “Toy Guns” outsources the shrugging, shuffling beat of its chiming chorus from Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated.” “Through the Wire” bears no similarity whatsoever to the Kanye West classic, but its rhythm swings to the same beat as that other song about the wire.
So Tokyo Police Club were in the right frame of mind when they called this thing Forcefield: they didn’t need to look outside themselves to make a truly great record. But after “Argentina”, you just wish they took their own advice more often. -Pitchfork
Since we have the break between the heavy stuff and the rest of my selection (it just sounds funny looking at it that way), I thought this would be a good time the remind you all that even though downloading happens and we can generally get a lot of music for free at times, the music industry treats album sales like touring schedules. If you have been wondering why an artist hasn't been visiting your region recently, then you need to ask yourselves if the sales reflect the artist/band going on tour.
So even if you download 10 albums this week, make sure to purchase at least one of them to show your love for the artist, and so the numbers reflect in their touring schedule. New an emerging bands don't have the cushion like long time artists have. They work their asses off for next to nothing when it comes down to profits. I don't think many of you would think about touring across North America and sleeping with your gear in a minivan.
So go to the local record store (it helps more than just the artist), pick it up from an online retailer, or another legal source to get your favourite music or new music that just might be your next 'new favourite'. Cheers!
(Pantera - Far Beyond Driven: 20th Anniversary)
Following its No. 1 debut, "Far Beyond Driven" remained on the Billboard album chart for seven more months and many still regard it as the heaviest album to ever top the chart. Its 12 tracks represented a continuation of the previous album's relentless musical onslaught with hard-hitting tracks like the first single "I'm Broken" as well as the mosh-pit classics "5 Minutes Alone" and "Slaughtered". Another standout track was the group's swirling acoustic cover of BLACK SABBATH's "Planet Caravan", which became a live favorite when PANTERA hit the road to support the album later that year.
Fans already familiar with "Far Beyond Driven" are in for a treat with the second disc of the "20th Anniversary Edition". Dubbed "Far Beyond Bootleg - Live From Donington '94", the disc contains PANTERA full live set recorded at the Monsters Of Rock festival in Donington, England on June 4, 1994. -Blabbermouth
(Animals As Leaders - The Joy of Motion)
Now the addition of Matt Garstka on drums, the return of co-writer Misha Mansoor and the ever-present guitar duo that defy the laws of what should be possible on a guitar – Tosin Abasi and Javier Reyes – Animals as Leaders return to form and then some with The Joy of Motion.
The Joy of Motion is everything Weightless should have been and wasn't. The Joy of Motion seamlessly blends Animals and Leaders' usual technicality with all the electronica elements introduced on the former, for one thing. It feels much less forced than it did on Weightless and really compliments the writing rather than seeming like an afterthought or even a perceived necessity in the music. -Metal Injection
(Combichrist - We Love You)
Here we have an album that could easily soundtrack the apocalypse. Mixing industrial and something a whole lot heavier, an evil beating heart at it’s core. Album opener ‘We Were Made to Love You’ starts with a spoken word, explaining the decay of modern society what follows is a full on smash to the face of unadulterated anger and electronic beats. Vocalist Andy LaPlegua spitting out his bile drenched vocals with conviction.
It is easy to see why Combichrist have become such a sought after name in the industrial world. This album is just relentless and full of surprises. ‘The Evil In Me’ kind of gives you a breather, with vocals taking a cleaner direction and the beats dropping out for a dark souled piano piece. The break doesn’t last long as you are then hit by the fantastically titled ‘Fuck Unicorns’, which could be a club filler anywhere in the world. For me it’s the stand out track both musically and of course that title is fantastic. -Hit The Floor
(Finch - What It Is To Burn: X Live)
What It Is To Burn X sounds exactly like what a live record should sound like, with the combination of a perfect mix, a raucous hometown crowd and an energetic performance making it feel like you are at show. The band is on fire from the outset, as they deliver blistering renditions of all 13 tracks of What It Is To Burn plus “Worms of the Earth” and “New Kid.” The songs sound as fresh and as relevant as ever, with vocalist Nate Barcalow putting in a powerful and emotive performance that cuts perfectly through the chaos on “Project Mayhem,” just as effectively as he croons over the likes of smash “Letters To You” and my personal favourite, “Post Script.” The combination of this vocal performance (and that of the crowd who can be heard throatily singing along for the whole of the record) and the outstanding performance of the rest of the band (seriously, the guitars of Randy Strohmeyer and Alex Linares sound immense and the rhythm section of drummer Alex Pappas and bassist Daniel Wonacott is in devastating form) ensures that What It Is To Burn X isn’t just a live recording, it’s the sound of a band finally beginning to realise the extent of their own potential. -Under The Gun
(Memphis May Fire - Unconditional)
Lyrically 'Unconditional' is also the band's best work. Mullins has brought his A-game with the rhyme-game. Touching on the usual topics of ostracism, self-harm, and self-doubt, and coming together to change the world there is a significant rise in the delivery of said lyrics, making them very powerful. But, the topic that is very appealing, regardless of religion, is the theme of God's love being unconditional. Rather than being a shaming and condemning take on Christianity, the songs here are a proclamation of the love the deity has for us. Whether you are religious or not there's no denying there is a beauty in the faith Mullins has in his God.
It's not often you get an album such as 'Unconditional'. The album is raw and unrelenting, both Memphis May Fire's most melodic and heaviest work to date, it is also their best. The album has an incredible sonic-impact both on your ears and your heart. But, what makes this album what it is is the passion. It's that passion; that raw emotion; that animosity to craft an album that hits all the marks that makes a great album turn into an amazing album. This is metalcore at it's finest. This is, Memphis May Fire and this is their magnum opus. -Kill Your Stereo
Box Sets:
(Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 40th Anniversary)
This 40th anniversary super deluxe box set includes the original album remastered, a CD of all-new cover versions by contemporary artists personally chosen by Elton with additional tracks and B-sides, the full LIVE AT HAMMERSMITH '73 concert on two CDs, and a DVD of Bryan Forbes' 1973 film ELTON JOHN AND BERNIE TAUPIN SAY GOODBYE TO NORMA JEAN AND OTHER THINGS. In addition to the discs, the box also contains a 100-page illustrated hardback book packed with rare photos, memorabilia and a new essay containing interviews with Elton John and Bernie Taupin. -Amazon
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