Oh how I love that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when new albums arrive on a Tuesday morning. Every time I look through the weekly releases, I can't help but to think of my retail days in high school. There were some customers that were VERY eager to get their hands on their latest and greatest. They would pop in over the weekend or on a Monday and see the new releases sitting in the back corner of the desk.
I can't remember how many times I was asked to sell a copy ahead of the scheduled release date. Even as I explained the hardcore legalities behind this issue, it seemed to fall on deaf ears like I was making a story up. Some customers offered extra money for a day or two early, others simply said "c'mon man, I won't tell anyone". Usually each person was met with a smile and a calm "sorry". Some customers would actually get angry with me like it was an entitlement for them. Either way, it was a fun time being the gatekeeper to so many great albums.
Anyways, just a quick flashback memory and now back to the releases. If you get the chance to make your way to your local record store, show some love and pick up a copy. If online is more your thing, then be sure to go through an online retailer or a trusted digital source. Cheers and have a great week!
(North Atlantic Oscillation - The Third Day)
All in all, The Third Day is an easy album to listen to, perhaps too easy. The tracks are only mildly distinct from each other because the band seems not to have developed a cohesive sound. Sure, they may class as ‘rock electronica’, but they seem to have just shoved the two genres together without any understanding of what elements they actually want in their sound. North Atlantic Oscillation’s album is fine for background music and therefore limited. -The Metropolist
(Fall Out Boy - American Beauty/American Psycho)
Miles from the Chicago bar scene, Fall Out Boy are hellbent on taking over the whole damn world. The key to enjoying their journey is simply letting go of the wheel and allowing them to drive.
The success of ‘American Beauty/American Psycho’ comes down to the listeners’ ability to pull their emotions out of their expectations. If you’re looking for a continuation of the albums they’ve already created, the possibility for disappointment is probable. While several of Fall Out Boy’s signatures are intact — including a handful of witty one-liners — the new direction of the band is completely undeniable. -Diffuser
(Marilyn Manson - The Pale Emperor)
AFGM: Marilyn Manson - The Pale Emperor
AFGM: Marilyn Manson - Third Day Of A Seven Day Binge
Manson is clicking on all cylinders with this one, leaning more on the darkly sinister side than his overly aggressive rockers. The disc kicks off with one of its standout tracks, as Manson hits his mark on ‘Killing Strangers,’ a song that starts with a sludgy beat that slinks along and builds in intensity. There’s a vulnerability in Manson’s voice as he belts, "We’re killing strangers so we don’t kill the ones we love". -Loudwire
(Enter Shikari - The Mindsweep)
The beating heart of The Mindsweep is its political intent, and with tirades against bankers, climate change deniers, and the privatisation of the NHS, no one is safe from Enter Shikari’s agenda. What sets The Mindsweep apart from most other political albums is that while Enter Shikari acknowledge we’re facing dark times, they also remind us that we have the power to do something about it. There’s as much hope on The Mindsweep as there is doom and gloom. This is best displayed on standout track The Last Garrison, switching from angst-laden verses to euphoric choruses with ease. -The Upcoming
(Serious Black - As Daylight Breaks)
At first, I was somewhat unsure what I was going to get when I was sent this promo. The name seemed to be an attempt at a funny pun on the name of a “Harry Potter” character from my childhood. Then I read the press release, and just who was involved and realised it was going to be something awesome. Featuring ex-HELLOWEEN member Roland Grapow on guitars, as well as Thomen Stauch, who used to be in BLIND GUARDIAN, amongst other particularly good musicians, I just knew it was going to be a power metal treat. -Metal Temple
(Until The Ribbon Breaks - A Lesson Unlearnt)
Before you’ve had the opportunity to fully unwind, A Lesson Unlearnt dives into more uptempo waters with the seductive “A Taste of Silver,” a track that was previously released on the band’s EP of the same name. Tinged with hip-hop breakbeats and tantalizingly sexy lyrics about infatuation, “A Taste of Silver” is a seductive R&B romp that is easily one of the more accessible tracks on the album. -LA Music Blog
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