The End Is The Beginning Is The End

Why.....yes, that is a title from a Smashing Pumpkins song back in 1997. It was featured on the Batman Forever soundtrack.

Well folks, summer is drawing to a close, and with it - so is this blog.  As I have said in the last post, it's been a lot of fun getting to hear all the artists and news, and concerts.  Who knows, with the internship I'm going to down in TN, maybe I can fix the over-processed problem myself.

In any case, I have some last minute business to attend to.  At the end of my last post I promised the fans of Cinderella and Foo Fighters some good news.  Cinderella fans, you are up first...

Album Cover

Tom Keifer, former frontman for Cinderella in the 80's, has gone solo!  His debut album is called "The Way Life Goes", and features a more bluesy-rock sound. He's been doing well for himself lately too! He's already been featured on David Letterman, and is currently scheduled to play Atlantic City on Sept. 6th with Halestorm.

At times the album mimics Foo Fighters, and other times it mimics Tom Petty.  So if you like them, you might like this.  Personally I'm a little torn on this one.  The instrumentation is really good, and the music is solid. It has a nice "All-American" sound quality to it.  However, much like Ben Affleck being cast as Batman, I'm just not sure that Keifer's voice fits the blues feel he's going for. Don't misunderstand me, as long as he stays in the lower register - he's fine. It's when he goes for the high ones that things get sketchy.

Tom Keifer

On a scale of 1 to 10... I would give this one a solid 8.  The music is great, the balance of slow to fast songs is dead on, and in my humble opinion - this would make a great road trip album!  You can get your own opinion of Tom Keifer's album by visiting his website, Facebook, and Twitter pages.

Now for the Foo Fighters freaks (like me)...

I haven't heard a lot of information on this yet, and I am sure that everyone is on edge about it like I am too.  There is no title to be known yet, only an expected year of release - 2014.  In an interview, Grohl explained that the Foos will be recording this album in a way that's never been done before.  Considering the many different recording techniques they've already used, Lord knows what could be next.

Foo Fighters

Who knows... maybe if my internship works out well enough, I can be the man behind the board for that record (Mama always said I should have goals).

Well gang, that's it!  In the words of Fall Out Boy "Thanks for the memories".

The Beginning Of The End

Ladies and Gentlemen (all 5 of you that actually read this) it been a fun ride!

I've made it my mission on this blog to uncover the rock music that  is out there.  It's been my job to bring attention to up and coming artists, bring some well known rockers back to the forefront, and reveal the other side of the music industry beyond the over-processed pop-garbage that exists on the radio.

Speaking of radio... I have spent a lot of my summer listening to what the radio has to offer, and I am less than impressed. It seems to me that there is an identity crisis in modern bands.  Case in point - Imagine Dragons.  This band can not seem to find a sound to stick with.  First they are folk, then they are techno, then they are Coldplay... I don't get it.  Whatever happened to the concept of a "signature sound"?  Please don't even get me started on the over-processed, loop-driven crap that all the other "rock" stations are playing... it sickens me to think that people think that is Rock.  Call me old fashioned, but I miss the good-old-days when Rock was Rock, and Alternative was for everything that was a little experimental.  Now it's all lumped together like some horrible blob-like beast of Reason beats, and quantized MIDI patterns.

That said, I leave the mission to you, my audience. This post will be one of my last.  I am taking an internship with a recording studio, where I can make a real difference in the industry from the inside out.  Thank you for all those who have read any of the posts I have made in the last 3 years.

Before I call it quits, I have a few more bands I need to bring to light.  The first is Deathpoint.

Deathpoint

These guys are proof that you should never judge a book by it's cover.  Honestly, when I first heard the name "Deathpoint" the only thing I could think of was a cheesy, Swedish-metal, 80's wanna be band.  I was dreadfully wrong.

Hailing from Hamilton, Canada, these guys bring some true passion and talent to the stage... and they are just getting started!  Vocally I would compare them to System Of A Down, where as the musicality of the group is a classic Metal sound, complete with driving double kick pattern.  In particular, the song "Thirty Stitches" has a really long intro, much like Angels vs. Airwaves, if they were a metal act.

Perhaps the biggest surprise to my ears was the clarity in the growl. Let me clarify by saying that I love a good growl, but it's rare when you can actually understand what the growler is saying!

Sinister Album Cover

You can catch the group on their Canadian tour with chick-rockers, Kittie, if you live in the northern area of the U.S. Their album, Sinister is due out soon, but no exact date has been given yet. For now you can check the guys out by visiting their SoundCloud site, Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace pages.


Don't cry too many tears yet.. there is still one more post coming.  If you are a fan of Cinderella, you may like the next one.  If you are a Foo Fighters junkie (like me) then you are definitely going to want to read the next (last) post.

Until then...

Hometown Proud

Summer is here!  This means festivals and concerts.  I have to say that I am hometown proud about this show, especially when it comes to the line up.  Riot Fest 2013 is in Chicago this year!!  For those readers who have not been to Chicago, I have this advice for you... if you've never been before, you should visit at least once.  This festival gives you a great excuse to do so.  The line up looks amazing as well, featuring acts like Blink 182, Fall Out Boy, AFI, and a truckload more.  The full line up and details can be found here.

Queens Of The Stone Age

I've been very lax in reporting the news end of things lately, and I apologize.  However, in my absence, I was happy to find out that Queens Of The Stone Age have been pretty busy in the last two weeks.  They have released a couple videos for songs from their upcoming album, Like Clockwork.  The first video, "If I Had A Tail" hit the web about two weeks ago. Closely following that is the song called "My God Is The Sun".  You can check out the video for that song courtesy of Revolver Magazine.

Hatebreed hasn't been in this blog since I covered their show more than a year ago.  Now they are back, and they have a brand new song for us too! "Honor Never Dies" comes to us from the album The Divinity of Purpose.  You can check that out here.

Last on the list for this post is another CD Review.  This one comes to us from a band called Madlife.  Based out of L.A, the band recently released their 4th album called 21st Century Megalomaniac.

Album Cover

They call themselves an "Industrial Rock" group, but in my opinion the only thing that makes this industrial is the techno-esque features... otherwise it's just an attempt at Swedish metal. The instrumentation is good, and the techno element is nice.  The biggest problem in my ears was the lead vocalist.  The best way I can think to describe it is by saying that they remind me of Quiet Riot, mixed with early Vince Niel of Motley Crue, but with more gravel.  IT'S ANNOYING! Bottom line.

I can certainly see these guys making the soundtrack of a Matrix sequel, or (God forbid) a third installment of the Mortal Kombat series.  My opinion aside, they do have some kind of fan base, so good luck... I guess.

You can check out the band for yourself, and formulate your own opinions by visiting their website.  You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

Madlife

That's What Friends Are For

Sometimes you just can't keep friends away from each other.  That is the case when it comes a few bigger names in the industry right now.

Brian "Head" Welch

I wouldn't have believed it if it hadn't come from his own (digital) mouth, but Brian "Head" Welch has announced on Twitter that he is back in Korn.  There is no talk of him leaving or quitting his work with Love and Death, but he has rejoined Korn to work on their new album, and also play some tour dates.  Rolling Stone has more details about the album, and his work with Korn... but I can't just leave this alone either.

Personally, I have nothing against Korn, and certainly nothing against "Head".  He is a grown man and can make his own decisions.  But this move is slightly confusing considering his original reason for leaving the band.  One can only wonder what has changed since 2003 when he left.

What are your thoughts about Brian "Head" Welch's return?  Leave a comment below.

Exhale Cover Art

Now on to the group Stardog Champion.  Made up of Aaron Fink, Mark James, vocalist Nick Coyle,
of Breaking Benjamin success, and drummer Josh Karis.  Most of these guys have worked together in Lifer as well.

As far as this new EP, Exhale, goes... there is certainly a lot of Breaking Benjamin styling in there.  It's a bit "canned"sounding at times, but the riffs are clean, and the guitars are nice and chunky.

It's simple straight-forward rock for most of the disc.  Nothing really hits you over the head, but nothing really sticks out as amazing either.  There are some catchy choruses, and some well placed effects, but nothing really says, "Wow" to me. However, I will say that "The Switch" is a nice closing piece. It leaves you with a sense of hope.

You can find more from Stardog Champion on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

The Cure for the Summer Time Blues

Hello again to my small crowd of readers!

Summer is here!  I now hold a bachelor's degree, but don't worry...I'm still writing the same as ever.

Tim Lambesis

There has been a massive development in the Christian music industry that needs to be discussed before we get to the good stuff.  Recently, Tim Lambesis of As I Lay Dying fame, has been arrested for allegedly hiring a hitman to kill his wife.  Lambesis has always been very open about his faith in Christ, which I respected him for. But recently, he may have seemed to switch personalities. According to sources, he has denied his faith, and told his wife that he no longer loves her in a email.  I am not one to jump to conclusions about things, so I will wait until the verdict is read to make any statements.  For now, however, Lambesis has pled "Not Guilty" to the charges.  You can find out more details from this article.

Now that we've talked that over, let's move on to more positive things!

August Burns Red

August Burns Red (ABR) has released some details about their upcoming album called Rescue & Restore.  The album is set to come out on June 25 under the Tooth & Nail label.  A track listing has been provided by Alternative Press. I know I am anxious to hear some new stuff from ABR, how bout you?  If their last album, Leveler, was any indication of what to expect on this new one... I will most definitely be loving the review that I write for it.

Speaking of loving a review...here's a new one for you.

Dreaming Out Loud cover

Originally from Alabama, and relocating to Nashville in 2006, Keith Moody gave us a great musical offering in 2012 called Dreaming Out Loud.  This is his second album, and he is still touring on it. Not only are the songs fun and lively, but they have also been featured on TV shows like Jersey Shore.

I am genuinely surprised at this record. I was expecting more country than I got, which is good for me as I am not the biggest fan of country music.  Keith Moody is a good old fashioned rock kind of guy with influences of blues, classic rock, and country in his sound.  To be quite honest, his sound reminds me a little of the Gin Blossoms from the early 90's. It's just a lot of fun. Elements of country twang are present, but aren't so much in the forefront as to make me want to gag… I would say that he's more Americana than Country.

This is a great summer-time album, I can totally see myself playing this while cooking on the grill in the backyard on the 4th of July. It might even make a great road trip album.

He has some shades of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in his songs, but I'm okay with it, as his voice isn't as annoying as Tom Petty. This is perhaps due to the hints of Jakob Dylan of the The Wallflowers in his voice. The bluesy kind of songs such as "Red Line" and "Plastic Hearts" are awesome songs to just chill out and listen to on a nice summer night.  I love the Hammond B3 sounds, and the accidental chords that are used to pull at your heart strings.

All in all, I am genuinely impressed with this… Mr. Keith Moody, I wish you well, sir!

If you would like to find out more about this talented individual, be sure to check out his website, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Keith Moody

As always, I encourage conversation on this blog.  Got an opinion of the reviews?  Got something to say about the news?  Let's talk.

A Case Of Missing Identity

Have you ever had that feeling when you're checking out a new band, and they look really good from the cover?  Then you listen to them, and everything you thought you knew was wrong!  That was the case when I listened to XFactor1.

Famous.Last.Words cover

Their last album, Famous.Last.Words, started out as something promising, but failed to deliver in the end. What started out as something with an obvious influence of Taproot, and other sort of "canned" rock sounds; blended with subtle colors of Alice In Chains, soon became a free-fall in to the maturity level and stylings of Limp Bizkit.  Admittedly, some people get into this, but it's not for me.

The early 2000s Staind sound on the slower songs makes me think that the only people who could enjoy this band (and not get bored after the first 10 minutes) are high-school kids, and neo-goths with daddy issues.  Again... I've been wrong about things like this before.

A surprise cover of Billy Squier's "The Stroke" makes the album a little more bearable, but pretty much exists as a crowd song.

Overall, a major identity crisis happening on this record. Influences or shades of Alice In Chains on one song, Limp Bizkit on another, Godsmack on yet another, Rob Zombie in some spots, and Staind on the slower songs makes listening to this album in any sort of sequence really fatiguing. My advice: PICK 1 STYLE AND STAY WITH IT!!! Case in point: the closing song, "Miss Me Now", solidifies the identity issues as it is the only song on the entire list that has a major chord structure and might be considered a love song.  Where did this come from? Why is at the end?  I know it's not unheard of to put a slower number at the end. It leaves a nice "encore" feeling with the listener.  However, this was so drastically different that it honestly didn't even fit with the rest of the album.

Of course all of the above is simply my opinion on the record.  XFactor1 has met with success and do have a rather large fan base.  They have had 3 songs featured on the radio from Famous.Last.Words, including "The Stroke", "Bring It On" and most recently, "Parasite".  They will also be on our with Taproot this summer as part of the "Infest America" tour, and later on playing at "Rock On The Range".

Whether you agree or disagree with me and my opinions, I encourage you to formulate your own opinions on the band by checking them out on Facebook, Twitter, and Reverb Nation.

In fact, why not leave some comments?  Let's talk.

XFactor1 "Fisheye" style

A Blueprint For Winning

Hey everyone!  Things are getting crazy around here lately.  Concerts, festivals, and albums are all in the works, and we (meaning Pop Deflators and I) just might be there!

EP Cover

This time around, I have another review for you.  This band comes out of Jackson, TN and they call themselves One Less Reason.  I'm fascinated that these guys still remain independent after being around as long as they have - especially with such a great sound. However, this does not mean that they haven't met with success.  One Less Reason has made the Billboard Top 20, and most recently released their EP, A Blueprint Of Writhing, in December of last year.  It was sort of a late Christmas present.

Overall, the band has shades and colors of 12 Stones in their instrumentation and musical arranging. I also hear elements of Nickelback in the lead vocals.  In truth, the band almost has two different sounds. One is edgy rock, and the other is a brilliant acoustic sound. The edgy rock sound features biting guitar lines in the explosive parts of the songs that really add to the emotional aesthetic of the song. The acoustic sound is full of layers of strings, piano, distant drums, and even a surprise female vocal on "Uneasy". I really loved them both.

 If you listen to the EP with headphones on, you're in for treat.  There are a lot of little sonic subtleties to tickle your ears. Panning, and volume are the most used tools in this technique but it pays off, as these things aren't heard when listening over regular speakers.

I would definitely keep an eye on these guys!  Even if they remain independent they have a really bright future ahead of them.  You can check the guys out in all the usual places like their website, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

One Less Reason

The Good, The Bad, and the Absolutely Horrid!

Summer is coming!  Are you ready?

There's lots of stuff happening right now and in the near future.  Some of it has a lot of potential in the "Wow this is freakin' awesome" department.  Others... not so much.

We Will Miss You, Chi

Before I get started on all of the news-related items, I would like to take a quick second to send my condolences to the members of the Deftones.  For those who may not know yet, Deftones bassist, Chi Cheng, passed away on April 13th, at the age of 42. He had been in a four-year battle for his life following a car accident in 2008.  An article, posted by Loudwire, contains a message from Chi's mom that's very touching.  It also holds the following quote from Deftones frontman, Chino Moreno.

“When I was 17-years-old, I moved out of my parents’ house and moved in with him. We’ve been best friends most of my life. I’ll just be doing some random thing in my life and he’s always in my thoughts. The whole band feels very strongly about him and he’s always been a part of things.”

If you want to read the full article, you can find it here.

Now on to some of that "freakin' awesome" stuff...

Icon For Hire

My first exposure to the band, Icon For Hire, came with my connection to Pop Deflators.  I instantly liked their style and their sound.  I find them to be a lot like Paramore, but a little less emo. A recent headline has stated that Icon For Hire is currently back in the studio working on a new album! No real details have been released on this except that the album in set to come out later this year.  The group has posted a lot of pictures and sneak peeks on their Facebook though.

Also making the awesome list is the news about Tooth & Nail Records.  In case you missed it - the are officially independent!!  This is truly awesome when it comes to the music front.  Tooth & Nail has always put out some quality rock in it's day, and now that they have the freedom and flexibility that comes with independence, I'm sure that they will continue and improve on their sonic offerings.

On the flip side of that great news... The Almost has pushed back their release date for their new record, "The Fear Inside Our Bones".  The new date has been pushed back to June 11th, but they have made a metric ton of stuff available for pre-order.  Be sure to find out all the details by checking out their pre-release website, or by clicking on the link on Tooth & Nail's Facebook page.

Lastly, not making any list of awesomeness what-so-ever, is the new single from Skillet.  I saw this link on my Facebook page, and clicked on it.  Less than a minute later, I was ready to throw up or throw my computer across the room.  IT'S HORRIBLE!  I've been losing my taste for Skillet since they came out with Comatose.  This new single, called "American Noise", comes off their upcoming record Rise. It continues the sell-out streak that has become the essence of Skillet songs.  All they know how to do is appeal to the eyeliner-wearing emo crowd of 3 years ago (also known as the neo-goths).  Come guys, if you're going to do something, PLEASE go back to your original sound from the early 90s.  I liked the blend of techo-rock that you had.

Skillet - before they sold out

Stay close music fans!  I've got some CD reviews coming your way from bands like One Less Reason, XFactor1, and Madlife.

Eyeliner On The Run

Hello blogosphere!

This post is full of things that could potentially bring tears to your eyes.  The amount of crying depends on whether or not you are scared, sad, or joyful...it's your pick.

Bye Bye MCR

First up, (because I can't resist the urge to laugh) is the news that My Chemical Romance is officially calling it quits!  To the emo-crowd, this is sad news, but to the rest of us...meh.  The band has yet to give a rhyme or reason for the sudden split, but you can be sure that black eyeliner will be running in rivers after this news.  Cheer up emo-kid...it'll be okay.  You still have Fall Out Boy and Panic At The Disco to listen to while wearing your skinny jeans. If you care to know more about this split, check out this article.

Also in the break-up news section is the U.K-based band, Attack! Attack!.  Unlike MCR, these guys have given a reason for their departure, and have included some news of a farewell tour that will start in April.  You can find these details by checking out the article from our friends at Rocksound.

Disturbed 2.0

A while back, in a post called "Change On The Horizon", I talked about David Draiman's new band Device.  They recently released their first single "You Think You Know".  I was expecting something a little different based on what has been said, but I was disappointed in the result.  Device sounds almost exactly like Disturbed!  For those who are fans of Disturbed, you can rejoice. For those like me, who were expecting something a little more....original - sorry, not today!  The biggest problem I had from listening to the single, found here, is the lack of passion in the lead vocals.  Where's the fire? Where's the drive?  In any case, my opinion is my own.  You are entitled to yours.  Be sure to give it a listen and leave some comments for me.

A Sign of the Apocalypse

In keeping with the on-going theme of "Reunions That Shouldn't Happen", I have found a headline stating that Limp Bizkit is setting up a come-back.  The only question that anyone could ask in this is a glaring "WHY?".  The once-popular rebellious rock/rap group lost their "cool" in the late 90s, but somehow think that they can keep with that same style and gain popularity again.  They have released a single called "Ready To Go" - but trust me when I say they are in no way, shape, or form ready to go.  They still feature the classic "pre-pubescent" vocals and immature nature that they had back in the late 90's.  If you feel like destroying your I.Q a little bit, check out the song by clicking here.

In order to make up for that last headline, here a good band.  Like Vultures is a fairly new band, but they bring the rock in a big way.  They even did a really great cover of Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Getting Back Together".  Personally, I think this is the way the song should have been.  Check it out below. You can find more of Like Vultures on Facebook and BandCamp.

As always, you are free to comment on anything I report on... good or bad.  What are your thoughts on all of these "come backs"?  Is the music industry that lacking in talent, or are the artist just trying to pay the mortgage?

Contesting Headlines

Welcome back music fans! You'll be glad you clicked on this one...

This time around we have some exciting news about the goings-on in the local Philly scene, sad news on the star scene, and of course - reviews of up and coming artists.

First let's get to the exciting stuff. Philly-based artists, Pompton Lakes, have entered a contest to play at Radio 104.5's 6th Birthday Show.  They've done really well to get in the top 25 bands, and YOU can help.  You can vote for Pompton Lakes by clicking here, and while your at it, register to WIN TICKETS to the show!  You can vote once per day until March 31.  Best of luck to Pompton Lakes!!  If you want to check the band out, be sure to visit their website, Facebook, and Twitter pages!

R.I.P Clive Burr

Former drummer of Iron Maiden, Clive Burr, passed away yesterday.  Reports say that he had been suffering from poor health for a long time now.  Burr had wrestled with Multiple Sclerosis.  He passed peacefully in his sleep at home. The band has released official statements on their website.  You can read more about this by clicking here.  Burr played with Iron Maiden from 1979 - 1982.  He was 56.

Another (less important) piece of news is a personal one.  I have joined the Philadelphia Chapter of The Recording Academy!  This means absolutely nothing in terms of the content of this blog, but I just thought I would gloat a little bit.....

Moving on.

Steal The Stars cover

The state of Ohio has brought us many great things such as, The Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, The Buckeyes (Ohio State Football), and a band called State Your Cause.  Their most recent album, Steal The Stars, released in July of 2012 and features a sound that parallels Lost Prophets or Disciple. They still manage to maintain a distinctive edge to remain unique too. In fact, certain songs on the album have more of a Story Of The Year kind of feel to them.  The album, as a whole, has a great balance from song to song.  There are also some great moving guitar lines!  As an added bonus, these riffs don't overpower the rest of the mix... nicely done fellas!

State Your Cause is currently on hiatus, but there is a side-project called F.A.M (From Another Mother) that features the two brothers in the band.  You can find the video "Catfish" by clicking here.


If you want more of State Your Cause, or if you want to beg them to come out of hiatus, check out their Facebook, Twitter, ReverbNation, or YouTube pages.  You can also find them on iTunes!

State Your Cause

That Left Turn at Albuquerque

Sometimes life takes unexpected turns, and things don't really end up the way we plan.  This is what this post is all about.

Vince Neil

Following the post about bands making come backs, the first strange piece of news is from Revolver Magazine. Vince Neil, front man for Motley Crue, was hospitalized during a show they were playing on the Australian leg of their tour.  The article, found here, states that when the band was nine songs in, Nikki Sixx came out and announced that Neil had been taken to the hospital for kidney stones.  The surgery was this morning, and all is reported to be well.  The only question that remains now is whether or not the fans get a refund.

August Burns Red

August Burns Red lead guitarist, JB Brubaker, has opened up about the bands history in the studio.  He shares the top 5 memories (good and bad) in the history of the bands recording experience.  They have more memories to make very soon too. The band is currently in the studio tracking for their 5th album due out in late summer.... they need to finish up the Warped Tour first.  Want to find out what the top 5 memories are?  Make sure you read this.

Another Lost Year

Also making the list of unexpectedness is a band called Another Lost Year.  Hailing from North Carolina (NC), these guys have done pretty well for themselves.  They have been featured on Nikki Sixx's radio show, and have been on tour with the likes of Flyleaf, RED, and 30 Seconds to Mars. Their first single "War On The Inside" met with some success and the second single from the album Better Days, called "Writing On The Wall", is due out soon.  The band features a sound that is similar to mid-90s Creed, or 12 Stones, but with more of a metal edge on certain tracks.  The unique vocal stylings, and balanced instrumentation make for an album that is very easy to listen to, and get stuck in your head.  The unexpected shock, for me, came with the song "Angels".  Out of nowhere came this stunning female vocal part, it really added an awesome element to the song!

Better Days cover

I would definitely recommend this album to anyone who is a fan of good, solid, rock records.  The only downfall (if one is to be had) is the slightly "canned" approach to the music. Otherwise, the mix is great. All the instruments and vocals are balanced where everything has it's own voice without overpowering.

Be sure to learn more about Another Lost Year (ALY for the fans) by checking them out on the web, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Haunting Truths

In a previous post, I had covered the new album by Adler, Back From The Dead.  In the post, I talked about the vintage 80's style sound that the record had.  Well, if that wasn't enough for you, then this next post is just for you.

Adler has recently announced that they will be going on tour.  The "Back From The Dead" tour will start its U.S. leg on March 2 and make it's way east as the summer closes.  The European crowd isn't left out in the cold either. The European end of the tour starts in September.

Under My Skin cover

Speaking of 80s kinds of sounds, here is another "classic" sound for your enjoyment.  Modern Superstar takes pages from a number of hair-metal bands such as Bon Jovi's gang vocals, Motley Crue's  guitar sounds, and shades of Axl Rose in the vocal melodies (including a great falsetto).  My personal favorite part of the mix goes to the drums - naturally.  The drum mix is really solid, and has a great snare sound!  Overall, the record - called Under My Skin - has some good things happening.  There are sonic walls of sound, but you aren't overwhelmed.  The album has nice breaks in the sonic profile that allow you to digest what you're hearing.  Depending on how you look at it, Modern Superstar may be one of the only bands I've ever known to mention texting in a song.  Not just in the song, but the chorus! The title even reflect the culture, "Txt U Gud'Bye"...nice guys.

Modern Superstar

Not everything is perfect on this album though. Some of the stylistic choices fall flat, as well as some of the guitars solo work. The second half of the album, in general, seems slower than the first, and some of the effects are overdone or awkward.  Overall, the lyrics seem lethargic in nature. I was hoping for more energy in the vocal lines, especially with a Motley Crue influence.



Be sure to check out more of Modern Superstar on their website, Facebook, Reverb Nation and Twitter!




While we're on the subject of "classics", allow me to mention some reunions that are currently happening - which in my opinion, SHOULDN'T!

Wang Chung, most noted for their extremely "poppy" snare sounds and the song "Everyone Have Fun Tonight", has come back.  Tazer Up released in December of last year.  This is the first all new album from the group in 23 years!  If you're interested be sure to give it a listen here.

Also making the comeback list is Black Sabbath.  They are currently in the studio working on a new record.  I'm honestly not sure about this piece of news. I've never been a fan of Ozzy, but I know a lot of people are.  My honest question is, can he still do it?  Not only him, but the rest of the band, do they still have it?  I guess we will find out.  If you want to hear about the album, and read some interviews with Sabbath's members, be sure to check out Revolver Magazine.

Black Sabbath comes back

That's all for now!  With all these comebacks, and classic styles coming back, I wonder when grunge and punk are coming back?  Got some thoughts?  Leave some comments!

East Coast Showdown

Hello again everyone!

This post is going to be a little different than the usual routine.  Instead of just covering the news, you guys are going to participate in a vote.  I will present two bands on the East Coast, and you get to decide who you like better. Votes can be in the comments on the blog, or on the Pop Deflators Facebook page.

A Criminal Risk

First up is a newer band called A Criminal Risk.  Hailing from New Jersey, these guys are bringing back an old-school punk sound.  Their debut disc, The Art of Dropping Names, features a sound that is very similar to Less Than Jake.  For those who may not know what that is, they have a very late 90's indie-punk sound to them.  It reminds me a lot of my own days playing pop-punk (thanks for the memories, guys!).

Since this is their debut album, some allowance for vocal improvement is needed, and their track "Stand Alone" is appropriately named as the only real slow song on the record. Be sure to give them a listen by  checking out their website, http://acriminalrisk.bigcartel.com/.  You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Be sure to keep an ear out for A Criminal Risk's new single due out on 3-31, appropriately titled "331"!

Prospect Hill

Three cheers for Boston!!!  The next group, Prospect Hill, calls Boston home, and has created quite a unique blend of sonic goodness.  Their third album, entitled Impact,  debuted in August of 2012. It features fantastic musical journey in the way the disc flows from song to song.  They also have a great blend of sounds and textures laced through the entirety of the album. The only real hit-or-miss feature was the track "Say Uncle" felt more like filler than an actual track.  On the other hand, it did serve as a nice intro into "Come Alive".

The group sounds a lot like 12 Stones, with the lower guitars, and baritone vocals. However, I find them to be slightly more "mathy" in their approach to music.  "Mathy" is good, it means that they know how to count and keep interesting rhythms, much like Thrice (I still miss them).

I thoroughly enjoy listening to this, and I hope you do to. You can find Prospect Hill on their website, http://www.prospecthillmusic.com or on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.


















So here it is - the moment of truth.  You, the reader/listener, gets to decide who wins the East Coast battle.  Will it be A Criminal Risk or Prospect Hill?

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Just so you all know that I haven't completely forgot about the world of music news... here's a small tidbit of information...

Travis Barker, drummer for Blink 182 and a personal influence of mine, has recently announced that he will not be touring with the band on their Australian tour.  When asked why, he replied that he is not quite over the plane crash that almost claimed his life almost 5 years ago.  A replacement has been hired to fill in for Barker and assume the drum duties.  Why can't I get on that list for tryouts?  Oh well....

Still to come....

Some haunting details of comebacks and reunions.  Until then....

Love, Death, and Some Really Good Music

This post goes out to all the fans, metal-heads, or rockers - whatever you choose to call yourselves.

Ladies and gentlemen... I give you LOVE AND DEATH and the review of their album Between Here & Lost.

Between Here & Lost 

The thing I appreciate the most about Brain "Head Welsh, and the rest of the band, is that they kept that deep "throaty" sound that has become a signature of "Head's" style.  You know an album is good when, while listening to it, you have an insatiable urge to break stuff!  That is definitely the case when it comes to this record.  "Meltdown" is a great example of this.  In the first four measures of the song I was ready for a moshpit.

Another plus on the album's style is the surprisingly melodic chorus that appear on spots of the album, in songs like "The Abandoning" and "By The Way".  It creates this great euphoria when you are cycling through minor chords, and then all the sudden burst into a melodic chorus... nicely done boys!  Coupled with that are some great stylistic choices in the music, and some amazing effects.  Hats off to the producers and post-production team on developing that sonic magic!

Above all, the message of the music is clear. God is still represented in all the lyrics, and the life-changing power that comes with Him.   As an added bonus, be sure to keep an open ear for a pretty cool, fairly original take on "Whip It" - originally done by Devo.

Love And Death

You can find Love And Death in stores, on YouTube, Facebook, and their website.



Trust me when I say, that much much more is coming your way...including some reunions that should NEVER happen.

Stay tuned....

The Stars Come Out At Night

Well... I know I said I would cover the Grammys, but I took a look at the line-up and decided in wasn't good for my health.  That said, let's move on!

Through The Suface

On the up and coming scene is a band called Vestibule.  Hailing from New Jersey, these guys specialize in the unique fusion of various styles of music.  With influences in Latin, Punk, and other genres, this group shows a lot of potential for their future as musicians.  Their debut album,  Through The Surface, featured an early 90's indie-grungy-type of sound.  Because of their multiple influences, the sonic profile is constantly changing and leading the listener on a musical journey of their imagination...which means that's it's cool for all you hipsters out there.  Personally, I found their sound to be reminiscent of Fighting Jacks, or Lucerin Blue (for those who know those bands).

Positives include everything I've talked about already and some very cool, moving bass lines that walk up and down the fretboard like it's child's play.  Negatives include the panning of guitar tracks, and the variants in tempo from song to song.  First, the panning part.  The guitar tracks are panned hard left and hard right on the disc.  Normally this isn't a bad thing for producers to do, but in this case, it made them stick out a little too much and covered up the rest of the band on solos.  It just felt weird.  Secondly, the tempo between songs, as a whole, stayed relatively medium to medium-uptempo.  It would have been nice to have some slower spots on the sonic journey.

Regardless of my opinions, I will let you form your own.  Vestibule has made their album available to the public.  Give it a listen here, and be sure to check out more on this up and coming band on Facebook and Twitter.







In the rest of the world of music, some interesting, and rather intriguing (and I use that term loosely) things are happening.

First up...Warped Tour '13.  I am sure that many of you readers have already seen the links and heard the hype about this year's Warped Tour events and happenings.  Our friends over at AP have posted the full line-up of bands that will be performing and when.  Be sure to check the list out here.

Then there is Alkaline Trio.  These Chicago natives have been up and down many times over the last few years, some of the stuff is really good, other stuff... not so much.  The band has recently announced that they are planning a new album called "My Shame Is True".  For details on the album and it's release, plus a video for the first single "I Wanna Be A Warhol", be sure to visit our friends at Rocksound.

Lot's more to come in the near future. Keep checking back to hear about Love And Death's new album, and a bunch of other new releases!

Old Dog & New Tricks

On more than one occasion in this blog, I have said that I am a child of the 80's.  I grew up on bands like Poison, Bon Jovi, and Guns N' Roses (GnR).  That said... the nostalgia factor is in full effect for this post.

Back From The Dead

Before you get your hopes up... no GnR is not getting back together, sorry.  However, the former drummer for the group, Steven Adler, has released an album.  Back From The Dead features a great "classic" sound!  Big, fat reverb on the snare, screaming guitar solos, and vocal lines that have shades of Bon Jovi and Van Halen are sure to make any fan of hair metal smile (I know I did).  Certain songs like "Just Don't Ask" and "Waterfall" have that throwback "power ballad" feel to them too, adding to the vintage style.  I know what you're thinking... what kind of a throwback record can be complete without cowbell?  Yep!  Adler's got that too!

Not everything is tea and roses (or is that supposed to be Guns N' Roses?) on this record.  Certain stylistic choices fell flat on me, or felt out of place in the song.  Another negative is that the record as a whole seems sonically flat.  Everything is generally in your face - all the time. Song to song the sonic profile doesn't seem to really change that much. You don't really have time to let your ears rest before getting hammered again.  Some people like that, but I could've used a break on this one.  Lastly, and not really a complaint since it fits the style, I found the lyrics to be slightly adolescent in nature.  But as I said, that's par for the course when dealing with a retro-style record.

Adler

You can find more Adler by visiting the website, www.adlerrocks.com or visit the Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube pages.

In other news....

"I didn't do it" - Bane

I'm sure that you've heard the low rumbles of laughter surrounding the power outage at this year's Superbowl.  Well, it turns out it wasn't Beyonce's half-time show that did it.  Numerous theories abound, including mine.  I think the networks did it for the ratings since the game seemed to go really quickly in the first half.  They wanted to make things more exciting for viewers.  It's either that.... or Bane.

In any case, believe it or not, I don't have a lot of criticism of Beyonce's show, because that's exactly what she did... show.  That opening number was more of a strip-tease and dance number than an actual song.  What are you there to do? Shake your bum, or sing?  The one part I could say that was kind-of cool in a "oh I remember them" sort of way was the reunion that took place on stage.

Beyonce strip-tease?

Also, I would like to take this time to remind readers that this year's halftime show was the first in around 6 or 7 years to feature someone under the age of 60.  We've sat through archaic performances from Tom Petty, Bruce Springstein, The Rolling Stones, and other geriatric artists enough.  So, thank you Beyonce, for bringing "youth" back to the halftime show.

As always... be sure to check back soon.  The Grammies are coming (does anyone have Pepto?)