What the hell are you listening to...2016 Edition

[nol]

2015 edition (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=90017)
2014 edition (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?p=2902287)
2013 edition (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=86404)
2012 edition (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=83094)
2011 edition (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=80340)
2010 edition (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=76230)
2009 edition (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=69929)
2008 edition (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=63628)
2007 edition (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=57527)
2006 edition (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=49001)

I've been trying to figure out who/what dvsn is. A lot of similarities to the Weeknd from a few years ago: from Toronto; sparse-sounding R&B production; unknown male vocalist. Whereas pretty much all of The Weeknd's songs are super nihilistic and drugged out in subject matter, dvsn's songs have more of a timeless and universal quality to them.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1mPYdZ60Gbo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Groundhog]

Magma are a strange French group who are a have been making very unusual music since 1970, and are still going strong - their albums in the past decade are probably my favourites, and there's not many bands you can say that about that have existed for nearly 50 years. Technically their new EP Slag Tanz came out last year, but I didn't find out about it until this year:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WKIOCyuAxGU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[JonInMiddleGA]

Well since this thread exists now ... ;)

One of the most promising lead singles ahead of an album I've heard in a while comes from a source I didn't expect: Anthrax

While fellow Big Four band Megadeth is getting fairly good reaction for a return to some more traditional sounds with tracks from their new album (I have not yet heard the just released full album from them so jury remains out for now), this feels so different for Anthrax but in a very good way.

I'm not an Anthrax superfan by any means, they're basically the 3rd member of the B4 for me, but this has already probably among my five favorite songs by them in their career & might be higher than that after another few weeks of listens.

After last year's Slayer album that I felt approached (unintentional) parody almost as often as not, to have two other heritage bands deliver good stuff is an encouraging sign ... I wonder whether Metallica will eventually make it 3 of 4 or will it be 2 & 2?

ANTHRAX - Breathing Lightning (OFFICIAL TRACK) - YouTube (https://youtu.be/NXYKpKWHxaI)

[QuikSand]

I've been listening to a lot of Weezer lately, and was pleased to see this piece show up on a podcast that I follow but don't actually listen to very often:

Song Exploder | Weezer (http://songexploder.net/weezer)

Not sure whether it's a net plus or minus to hear how Rivers Cuomo goes bout building his songs. But, as usual, it does make me feel like I'm not as far away from being "somebody" as I usually feel (in this specific regard).

The latest album hasn't really clicked for me, but as usual, the SE treatment does make me listen more closely to both this track and others. They are, reliably, very layered, despite being a fairly straightforward guitar band on the surface.

[Alf]

Magma are a strange French group who are a have been making very unusual music since 1970, and are still going strong - their albums in the past decade are probably my favourites, and there's not many bands you can say that about that have existed for nearly 50 years. Technically their new EP Slag Tanz came out last year, but I didn't find out about it until this year:

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WKIOCyuAxGU" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>

Wow, apart from my colleague Pierre who is 55, I never thought anyone would know Magma (overseas).

[Julio Riddols]

Really liking the new album by The Coral, as well as Iggy Pop's new stuff (Sounds like he is channeling Bowie) and the new Yeasayer album is growing on me. The new one by Black Mountain is also their best work, IMO.

[Groundhog]

Wow, apart from my colleague Pierre who is 55, I never thought anyone would know Magma (overseas).

I'm a huge fan. :D

Saw them live a few weeks ago in their first ever Australian gig, was excellent.

[Groundhog]

Really liking the new album by The Coral, as well as Iggy Pop's new stuff (Sounds like he is channeling Bowie) and the new Yeasayer album is growing on me. The new one by Black Mountain is also their best work, IMO.

I was going to post about the Coral as well actually. It's kind of funny how their career trajectory has sorta followed the same pattern as the 60s/70s bands they get their sound from, starting out with a late 60s psych vibe, and moving through their 70s rock phase.

This album is a mixed bag of genres but is mostly back to that earlier psych sound, and while I don't think it has a lot of fantastic individual songs, as an album it really works.

[thesloppy]

The rare topical stuff I been listening to is this:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TjpPtLTUfgc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

and thems:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eUFAqiW7yyg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Julio Riddols]

I was going to post about the Coral as well actually. It's kind of funny how their career trajectory has sorta followed the same pattern as the 60s/70s bands they get their sound from, starting out with a late 60s psych vibe, and moving through their 70s rock phase.

This album is a mixed bag of genres but is mostly back to that earlier psych sound, and while I don't think it has a lot of fantastic individual songs, as an album it really works.

Yeah, I was really into their early stuff, now this comes around and throws it back to that to some degree while incorporating some of the stuff they did in between too. I don't know if this is as good as I thought Roots and Echoes was, but its good.

Really digging TEEN so far too, what a spot on 80's new wave knockoff that song was, thesloppy. Felt like Mark Mothersbaugh had a hand in it.

[Groundhog]

Agree re: Roots & Echoes, that's my favourite Coral album. Definitely the most consistent, start to finish.

[thesloppy]

Really digging TEEN so far too, what a spot on 80's new wave knockoff that song was, thesloppy. Felt like Mark Mothersbaugh had a hand in it.

Yeah, I too thought of DEVO (and Gary Numan) when I first heard them. Perhaps because they manage to keep a bit of gloom/menace to their synths that a lot of '80s revivalists seem to miss. Three of them are sisters, which sort of fits DEVO's pair of brothers too. I'd never heard of them until recently, but that video's off of something like their 4th or 5th record, and I like a good bit of everything that I've listened to so far.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qs7KRYdBmGI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kjLGlG68oh8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Butter]

Well, this is finally happening. SINCE I LEFT YOU is in my all time top 10 favorite albums, but I'm skeptical.

The Avalanches announce new album Wildflower, share “Frankie Sinatra” — listen | Consequence of Sound (http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/06/the-avalanches-have-finally-returned-with-new-single-frankie-sinatra-listen/)

[JonInMiddleGA]

mostly awaiting the release of the new Volbeat album ... which comes tomorrow.

Probably the first serious Album of the Year contender of 2016, in terms of my expectations/possibilities.

[Young Drachma]

I've just been listening to a lot of shoegaze records. As far as new records, Chance 3 was cool, Deftones have a new LP out and Pierce The Veil put an album out that I gave more spins than I anticipated.

Found this horrendously unknown Australian band that put out a record I listened to a lot.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2h_2SxoJV6U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[A-Husker-4-Life]

here's some stuff;

Pianos Become The Teeth - Keep You (Full Album) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuGUWqDdUH0)

They are pretty chill

[britrock88]

Anyone else noticing the wave of copyright-based music takedowns on Youtube in the last couple days?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Anyone else noticing the wave of copyright-based music takedowns on Youtube in the last couple days?

You kinda scared me, given how much effort goes into my playlists there.

Just checked, nothing missing out of my main playlists (about 180-190 songs)
Nothing missing from my two secondary lists either (over 350 songs total)

Not to say I won't have a ton of stuff get zapped tomorrow but nothing noticeable for me at this point.

*worth noting that probably 80% or more of those are "official" releases anyway, which is actually the most common place where I have things go missing, as domestic vs international rights holders can't always get their shit together about who can post what. I even see bands post their own videos only to have them get an auto-strike & vanish

[britrock88]

Glad that I'm wrong in your case, JIMGA.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Glad that I'm wrong in your case, JIMGA.

Me too :)

(I was legit "oh shit" worried over here)

[thesloppy]

Not new, but new to me: Paris Monster.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VjZ6shLYjGA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I still can't decide if this Josh Dion fellow is inspiring, or inspiring me to give-up & throw away my drumsticks.

[EagleFan]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TAhyZegVkhw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8nW-IPrzM1g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[JonInMiddleGA]

Since I mentioned my high hopes for the Volbeat album ... it's alright. Okay, that's unfairly lukewarm of me. It's a good album, maybe the best release of the year to date even. But if it turns out to be my album of the year then it's going to have been a disappointing year. It starts well, it finishes very well, but in the middle into stumbles into some pretty weak stuff. And stays there for several tracks too many. I'd be lying if I didn't say I was disappointed.

Not quite as good but leaving me with a better overall impression was the same day release from Hellyeah Unden!able. Most takes on the album will largely come down to how you feel about mosh pits IMO. The band's transition from the more Texas sounding first couple of albums to the heavier (especially vocally) sound of the past couple is now, I think, largely complete. I still prefer their original direction & wish they'd stayed on that path but this time out they've executed their intentions pretty well. I hate to say it but the hyped track (cover of "I Don't Care Anymore" that features some recovered guitar work by Dimebag might be among the weakest cuts on the album. It's interesting pretty much only from the standpoint that Dime is on it. Otherwise Saint Asonia's recent cover of the same song blows it away.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Just for fun (or something), I figured I'd share something I've been doing for the past few weeks. I'm one of three "guest reviewers" for a weekly countdown show on our local rock station. Our guidelines are simple: 2 sentences & a rating on a 0.0 to 5.0 "Bones" scale (the station goes by the name Bulldog ... go figure ;) )

Here are my reviews & rating thus far (the segment debuted on 4/20)

4/20 - Deftones Gore
It's as though the band set out to compile their various influences into the worst combinations possible. Boring in its best moments, frequently dischordant to the point of being nothing more than noise.
Rating: 0.50 Bones out of 5.0

4/27 - Filter Crazy Eyes
"Despite a radio-friendly lead single, Crazy Eyes leans more often toward the band's industrial rock origins. From there it becomes largely a matter of taste & genre preference for an album that seems more likely to appeal to existing fans of Filter's catalog rather than newcomers"
Rating: 1.50 Bones out of 5.0

5/4 - 3 Doors Down Us And The Night
"A lively lead single highlights the return of these rock radio staples after an extended absence. Light to the point of being poppish in places, balanced with several moments that rock enough to be enjoyable, no extreme highs or lows."
Rating: 2.50 Bones out of 5.0

5/11 - Adelitas Way Getaway
"The potential shown early in their career is much more realized here than in the last album. Strongest moments, and there are several, come when they stay in familiar territory but even when they stray the outcome isn't bad ... and that's good. "
Rating: 3.50 Bones out of 5.0

5/18 - Sixx A.M. Prayers For The Damned
"An improvement over their last outing, at least managing to rock more frequently. There are moments but maybe not as many as there could be, would like to hear what an outside producer could get from the band."
Rating: 2.75 Bones out of 5.0

*we took the week of 5/25 off

6/1 - Avatar Feathers and Flesh
"Concept albums are hard to execute, the sheer effort behind this one upgrades it beyond the individual parts. Genres are mixed across the tracks, providing some very good moments but some questionable genre-bending _within_ songs make this a very challenging album."
Rating: 2.75 Bones out of 5.0

6/8 - Sick Puppies Fury
"New members are tricky and new vocalists are even trickier. In this case the change has made for the most energetic, vital, and enjoyable work I've heard from this band to date. Existing superfans may be less enthusiastic but I'm both happy and impressed "
Rating: 3.75 Bones out of 5.0

6/15 - Volbeat Seal The Deal and Let's Boogie
"An entertaining start and a very strong finish, the album suffers in the middle as it wanders but doesn't really go anywhere. Likely one of the best albums of the year AND a disappointment, simultaneously"
Rating: 4.00 Bones out of 5.0

6/22 - Hellyeah Unden!able
"Continues the transition from their early Texas-influenced sound to a more mosh-pit oriented style. I still prefer the former but on the whole the album exceeded my expectations, delivering far more often than it misses"
Rating: 3.75 Bones out of 5.0

[AlexB]

Spent the last week in Ireland, and their unofficial Euro 2016 is all over the radio and got to number 1 there. Worryingly enough I do quite like it!

https://youtu.be/GXN-vxj66X4

[thesloppy]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CrGOs1a1lOk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[CraigSca]

As of tonight, this:

The Stone Roses - Beautiful Thing - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCk34IVVgcc)

[NoSkillz]

I've always been a bit lukewarm on my thoughts for Radiohead but I think that their new album, "A Moon Shaped Pool" is absolutely brilliant.

[Easy Mac]

Pinegrove's album Cardinal is pretty good. Old Friends is a great opening track.

Been listening the hell out of Big Thief's Real Love. I have an irrational love for that song, especially the sloppy guitar solos near the end. The rest of their album is just OK at best.

The new Band of Horses is close to a return to form. At least their best album in the last 5 or 6 years. Their first two albums are almost perfect to me, so it's a bit of an unfair standard.

Have yet to find anything that really excites me this year. The new Day Wave is pretty great if you enjoy Real Estate or Beach Fossils.

[Groundhog]

I've always been a bit lukewarm on my thoughts for Radiohead but I think that their new album, "A Moon Shaped Pool" is absolutely brilliant.

It's really grown on me. My least favourite track is probably Burn the Witch oddly, but the rest of the album really flows together well. A lot of tracks remind me musically of Air's A Trip to the Moon, with Thom Yorke singing over the top of it. I often put Air on in the background when I'm doing something, so I count that as a positive, just great atmospheric music with some interesting melodies. I never pay attention to lyrics, but Glass Eyes... wow. Heart breaker.

[johnnyshaka]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nIpyMi6R3nw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[timmae]

Haven't heard much other than the singles but SWMRS (Figuring it out, Drive north) and Finish Ticket (Color) are super awesome.

[JonInMiddleGA]

A couple more new album reviews now completed. I'll again share here fwiw.

6/29 - Red Hot Chili Peppers The Getaway
"A close approximation of what David Essex fronting The Partridge Family might sound like. Technically sound but devoid of anything remotely worth listening to even once."
Rating: 0.75 Bones out of 5.0

7/6 - Stitched Up Heart Never Alone
"Full-length debut shows potential but the lead single already provided the highlight. The absence of anything truly bad is encouraging but the album is probably a song or two short of really standing out from the pack."
Rating: 2.50 Bones out of 5.0

[Fidatelo]

I discovered Anderson .Paak's Malibu about 10 days ago and I'm really digging it so far.

I've also been re-listening to lots of old Tragically Hip stuff since the band announced the Gord Downie has terminal brain cancer. So many amazing songs, I encourage anyone who has a Google Music or similar subscription to just hit play on their "Top Songs" list, sit back, and enjoy.

Their new (and I suppose last) album (Man Machine Poem) came out a couple days ago, I've given it one listen through and nothing really stood out but I'll give it a few more to see if anything sticks.

[JonInMiddleGA]

First impression review time:

New Stuck Mojo album "Here Come The Infidels" delivers some cold hard truths about the state of the world around us courtesy of lyrics & delivery that hammer the points home like a barbed-wire baseball bat. The album is paced well, with a couple of relatively lighter tracks giving the listener three minutes to breath before the assault resumes.

Never bashful about whatever they've had to say, this isn't for the timid nor even moderates, but the album is a worthy addition to their lineage.

[Butter]

Parquet Courts' HUMAN PERFORMANCE is pretty great.

[stevew]

New Frank Ocean this month on the 12th or 22nd? I will believe it when I hear it.

[Young Drachma]

Parquet Courts' HUMAN PERFORMANCE is pretty great.

+1

[JonInMiddleGA]

Exclusive - RIK EMMETT Project Boasts TRIUMPH Reunion & More | MelodicRock.com (http://melodicrock.com/articles/news-feed/2016/07/04/exclusive-rik-emmett-project-boasts-triumph-reunion-more#.V3nr5jatbCM.facebook)

Not quite "listening to now" but most definitely interesting stuff for the future.

Whether it lives up to expectations, only time can tell.

[CrimsonFox]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aDigs6UMVjY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[JonInMiddleGA]

And two more new album reviews now completed.

7/13 - Thousand Foot Krutch "Exhale"
"Perhaps the most complete rock album of the band's two decade career, it's a consistently aggressive near-masterpiece. If not for going one song too long & drifting into very light territory I might have called it the frontrunner for album of the year thus far. Instead, it's simply _one of_ the best 2016 has delivered to date."
Rating: 4.00 Bones out of 5.0

7/20 - Through Fire "Breathe"
"The band formerly known as Emphatic debuts their new name with a solid effort that has fared well with both airplay and sales. Long time fans should be thrilled to find the track "Damage" from their previous incarnation providing one of several highlights. Worth noting that the album is a little shorter than most, with only 9 tracks if you don't count the intro or a pair of extended versions, but better to leave fans wanting more than to have them hoping the album will end."
Rating: 3.25 Bones out of 5.0

[JonInMiddleGA]

And two more new album reviews now completed.

8/3 - Nonpoint "The Poison Red"
"After landing back to back albums in the top six of my annual lists, the bar was high for their latest outing. Alas, they came up a little short of the mark for me. The signature sound is still in evidence, with some variance & experimentation. The problem isn't that anything missed horribly, it's more the lack of the standout cuts that elevated their recent efforts.
Rating: 3.00 Bones out of 5.0

8/10 - Chevelle "The North Corridor"
"What the album gains from being heavy it loses by drifting into noise, electronic sounds, or even the simply strange. There are good moments -- "Young Wicked" stands out quickly -- but I found the album challenging to say the least. A little too much so, too often, which incidentally matches my feelings about their live performances.
Rating: 2.75 Bones out of 5.0

[Young Drachma]

Didn't know there was a new Chevelle record out. Will listen to that now. Good mention. And I didn't realize Nonpoint was still around.

I've been listening to a lot of non-2016 records, but these are my most played new releases this year.

Deftones - Gore,
Kendrick Lamar - Untitled Unmastered,
Mike Adams at His Honest Weight - Casino Drone,
Case/Lang/Veirs
JMSN - It Is
Piece The Veil - Misadventures
Car Seat Headrest - Teens of Denial

[Groundhog]

6/29 - Red Hot Chili Peppers The Getaway
"A close approximation of what David Essex fronting The Partridge Family might sound like. Technically sound but devoid of anything remotely worth listening to even once."
Rating: 0.75 Bones out of 5.0


Yeah, I finally listened to this a few days ago. If I had to sum it up in one word it would be "sterile".

[JonInMiddleGA]

Didn't know there was a new Chevelle record out. Will listen to that now. Good mention. And I didn't realize Nonpoint was still around.

Neither were albums I looked forward to reviewing tbh, for various reasons.

Chevelle is one of the very few bands that my son & I almost part company about. He's a much bigger fan, they're arguably the hardest to endure live set I've ever actually made it to the end of. I could barely differentiate one song from the next, despite actually knowing probably 80% of their material on both occasions I've seen them. The Tool/QotSA comparisions -- with the same producer working here -- are more apt than usual on this record to me. And, for me, that's bad news.

Nonpoint, that one I really dreaded putting a number on. I interact, somewhat frequently, with two members of the band on social media. And they're among the most ... sensitive to criticism of any artists I've ever had contact with. Nice fellas overall, and I really really liked the last two albums, but this one just came off flat to me by comparison. Instrumentally it's still there but vocally ... well, it was weird. I'd almost swear the vocals were recorded in two different batches, a little over half sound perfectly fine/normal. The others, umm, well it didn't seem to be a good day.

[JonInMiddleGA]

My review for a rather unique (in several ways) show from Stuck Mojo is now posted.

Concert review 8/5/16 – Stuck Mojo | Jon's Three Cents (https://jonsthreecents.wordpress.com/2016/08/07/concert-review-8516-stuck-mojo/)

[JonInMiddleGA]

I rarely do this sort of thing but, thanks to an old friend, the opportunity to spend a few minutes with the one & only Rich Ward was simply too good to pass up.

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13872830_10207283583276811_4120007217868773856_n.jpg?oh=707646969c57021dca4676654eb7e860&oe=585CA97F

[stevew]

Not listening to the new Frank Ocean. Seriously, wtf, dude.

[QuikSand]

I had a late night drive to an airport in FL, and deliberately listened to the local Top 40 station for nearly an hour. Definitely made me feel very very old. Like "get off my lawn" old.

I made it as far as that infernal "Shut up and dance with me" song, where I had to draw the line and find another way to stay awake.

[AENeuman]

I can hear the outside lands festival from my house. I believe Radiohead could go on tour and just play Let Doen and it would be a sell out.

[JonInMiddleGA]

A few more from my mini-reviews (we skipped the week of 8/17)

8/24 - Skillet - Unleashed
"Perhaps the most successful Christian rock crossover band of the past decade, Skillet has certainly built a devoted fan base and those who've come along more recently are likely to be quite satisfied with their latest offering. There's more guitars AND more electronic elements here than recent efforts and the songs frequently deliver on the promise to be more musically "in-your-face" this time around. Unfortunately the album also casts such a wide musical net in styles that it's hard for me to imagine anyone other than diehard fans not skipping at least as many songs than they listen to again, no matter which styles they like most.
Rating: 2.50 Bones out of 5.0

8/31 - Citizen Zero - State Of Mind
"Some albums make you want to drive fast, others make you bang your head. Unfortunately this album too often inspires something like sitting in the pickup lane at preschool. Frequently reminiscent of newer/lighter Shinedown material, the album is probably best listened to back to front. There are some genuine highlights in the latter tracks but the uninspiring front half includes some of the most antiseptic material I've heard in quite a while. There's clearly talent here but whether there's enough spark & grit & intangibles to someday make a genuinely good rock album remains to be seen.
Rating: 2.00 Bones out of 5.0

9/7 - Gemini Syndrome - Memento Mori
"You might suspect that an album themed and titled around the notion of man's mortality, would be dark, or even foreboding. Instead, the sophomore effort of this Los Angeles band comes across remarkably positive. There's depth in the lyrics, the concept is executed very well, and the rhythm section stands out as having become exceptional. Leaning on cleaner vocals than their debut, they mix multiple styles into something that's simply ... Gemini Syndrome. A relatively rare case for me where an album is so cohesive that its sum is greater than its parts.
Rating: 3.25 Bones out of 5.0

9/14 - Islander Power Under Control
"This might have turned out better if they'd split one disjointed album into multiple EPs. They could have one with the nu-metal they do reasonably well, another with some mid-level fare they do okay, and a third with the punk and whatever other influences that ended up thrown into this messy collection. There's more than enough talent in the revamped lineup for this to have been better than something between a mess and a trainwreck, but that sadly isn't the case.
Rating: 1.50 Bones out of 5.0

[JonInMiddleGA]

My two newest mini-reviews

9/21 - A Day To Remember - Bad Vibrations
"Few, if any, surprises on the sixth album from the Ocala Florida band now well into their second decade together. Solidly in the light pop-punk vein for the majority of the record, there's still enough of their metalcore side to satisfy fans that lean that way. A little more polished & a little better written than their previous efforts perhaps, the final product is easy to listen to and could likely end up getting a lot of time from existing fans. That ease, however, may coincide with the album really lacking a single truly standout track."
Rating: 3.00 Bones out of 5.0


9/28 - Of Mice & Men - Cold World
"It's hard to avoid being happy that this album exists at all, given the serious health issues that have plagued singer Austin Carlile. It's hard to be hard on the album given the circumstances that led up to it. It's also hard to avoid coming away feeling like the finished product here is noticeably flat. There's really nothing particularly notable or remarkable here beyond the album's existence, with fewer highs and fewer lows than their previous releases. It comes dangerously close to falling into "for hardcore fans only" territory except even that doesn't work because they've continued to transition away from their original sound into a more homogeneous mainstream style."

Rating: 2.50 Bones out of 5.0

[mckerney]

Kentucky Route Zero's soundtrack

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZHbGHBqnSlg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fl_G7aEC420" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[CraigSca]

Thank you, Spotify Discovery.

Whyte Horses - Promise I Do - YouTube (https://youtu.be/zCwR9qC2w8w)

[JonInMiddleGA]

More mini-reviews

from 10/12
Alter Bridge - The Last Hero
"My favorite vocalist of the past decade along with one of the best rock guitarists in the world, coming off what I've called the best album I'd heard in ten years or more, what could possibly go wrong? The disappointing answer is "plenty". For every highlight -- and there are certainly quite a few, though mostly instrumental -- there are at least as many misfires on an album that feels considerably longer than it needed to be. I'm left feeling that they tried too hard to make an album that felt "important" but failed to make sure they had enough good material to get there. The songs are frequently forgettable, to the point of being downright tedious at times, the value is primarily the sheer amount of raw talent involved.

Rating: 3.00 Bones out of 5.0

10/19 - Green Day Revolution Radio
"In the past 26 years Green Day has sold over 65 million albums worldwide and release some forty singles. In that time they've managed release two songs that I have anything remotely positive to say about, marking them as perhaps the most successful inexplicably popular band of my lifetime. Their latest album does nothing to change that.

The most "entertaining" thing here is trying to figure out what song or artist they're trying to vaguely but not too closely imitate. Quite possibly the most utterly worthless album I've ever heard in its entirety, with a partial bone given strictly for the comedy value.

Rating: 0.25 Bones out of 5.0


10/26 - Kings of Leon Walls
Let's start on a positive note: the new album from this Nashville band only contains ten songs and mercifully lasts only 43 minutes. Unfortunately most of those songs sound like a 2nd rate band asked to try to sound vaguely like The Cars thirty years later. The musical equivalent of dining on styrofoam peanuts and tofu. Packs all the punch of a cotton ball, less interesting than a microwave timer bell. Suitable for a sorority formal if the goal was to get everyone to leave early.

Rating: 0.25 Bones out of 5.0 (credit given for being mercifully short)

[dunkem]

Just listened to the King of Leon album and it's a pretty lazy sounding album. I wouldn't call it terrible, but the pace of the songs and the monotonous guitars and drums make the songs sound like they're playing in a 90's prom or something as mentioned. With a faster pace and more energy the songs may not sound as boring as they currently do, but as they currently stand, sounds like they were just forced to put something out and said... whatevers... I'm not digging it, but release it anyways.

[CrescentMoonie]

Postmodern Jukebox has been my favorite thing in music for the last year or so. I got to see a live show and what they do is tremendous. Here's a sample of their work, a quartet Doo Wop cover of MMMbop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEejfq1KhkU).

[JonInMiddleGA]

the monotonous guitars and drums

If you removed the pause between songs, five of the first six tracks could probably be worked into one extremely long song without anyone noticing.

[JonInMiddleGA]

These are already done, might as well throw them in too

11/2 - Korn The Serenity of Suffering
"Bringing heavy back. The latest from the boys from Bakersfield IS heavy -- really heavy -- and it's a most welcome offering. Nearly every aspect that has been part of their sound is represented somewhere on the album but this time they put the heaviness at the forefront and largely leave it there. Every member contributes at some point, giving the album a great sense of being complete, a truly unified band effort. It may lack a singular great moment but there is more than enough good here to make that perfectly fine.

Rating: 3.50 Bones out of 5.0


11/9 - Pretty Reckless Who You Selling For
"After a frantically rocking album two years ago, the sometimes erratic Taylor Momsen throws another curve with her latest effort. Whether intentional or not, most of the songs here come off like tributes to her favorite childhood vocalists & influences. Bits of Janis and Aretha,Hynde & Raitt, she even drifts near coffee house territory in a couple of places. Plenty of influences in evidence, but little to no sign of the promising side of Pretty Reckless we heard last time out. She's a talented singer to be sure, unfortunately she's managed to produce one of the year's biggest disappointments.

Rating: 1.25 Bones out of 5.0

[HerRealName]

I'm really digging the new Drive By Truckers record a lot more than I expected. The Cooley songs are all fantastic. Hood's aren't quite at the same level but he does have a couple gems.

I'm also really enjoying Brand New Flag by Two Cow Garage. They've gone from basically an Uncle Tupelo cover band years ago to finding their own sound and voice over the last few releases.

The new Dexateens record isn't quite what I was hoping for though. I guess I should have lowered my expectations considering it was recorded 5 years ago and never released. Still love the band.

[thesloppy]

For the first time in 20 years, I'm listening to a new song from Chavez:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gBWPU_bBT_A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[CrescentMoonie]

Beastie Boys raps laid down over Daft Punk tracks. It's pure magic.

Daft Science | Coins (https://coinsmakeyoudance.bandcamp.com/album/daft-science)

[JonInMiddleGA]

I couldn't seem to find a 2017 thread so ... here.

Concert Review 4/8/17 – The Lacs, Almost Kings | Jon's Three Cents (https://jonsthreecents.wordpress.com/2017/04/09/concert-review-4817-the-lacs-almost-kings/)

[tarcone]

I am listening to Sigma Six. Tuxedo Brown is the album.

It is a good listen. The title song is the 1st track. First time I listened, i didnt like it. 2nd time I liked it a little. We will see if it grows on me.

There are only 7 songs on the CD, which was a little disappointing.

I liked each song more then the previous song. So in order of favorites it goes 7,6,5,4,3,2,1.

Overall, I really like it.

[A-Husker-4-Life]

<iframe width="500" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ov6t1yqrx7Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Shredder, if you like Joe Satriani you'll love John 5

some more;

<iframe width="500" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pVPvCctULYk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

my favorite;

<iframe width="500" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8HwAyDy3qTg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[JonInMiddleGA]

My review of the weekend's Fozzy (aka Chris Jericho's band) / Kyng show in the Atlanta 'burbs

Concert Review 5/7/17 – Fozzy, Kyng, Halcyon Way | Jon's Three Cents (https://jonsthreecents.wordpress.com/2017/05/09/concert-review-5717-fozzy-kyng-halcyon-way/)

[QuikSand]

New Public Enemy (!!!)

Public Enemy (https://publicenemy.bandcamp.com/)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Just finished my first pass through the new Stone Sour album "Hydrograd".

It's ... not bad except in a couple places but it feels like a big step backwards from where the band been in recent years. There's only a couple of really strong standouts here, scattered amidst some good enough but not great filler. Which is how the album clocks in right around an hour.

A mid-album attempt at a ... 70s country song? Southern rock ballad? Something? It borders on painful and is hard to not consider downright comical.

But my biggest criticism of the album is one that surprises me. I've always been a bigger fan of Stone Sour than of Slipknot but what's missing here, what makes this album feel "off" to me is the absence of Jim Root on guitar. Ironic since one of the reported reasons for his departure was that he preferred to be working on stuff for 'knot. I haven't seen a listing of credits track by track so I'm trying to not put all the blame on his replacement but while the playing itself is fine - even good in places - it's neither what I expect from Stone Sour nor what I _want_ from Stone Sour.

It's not a bad album, it's a pretty good album if you trimmed the fat & a few of the weaker songs ... but it's a disappointment as a follow up to House of Gold & Bones.

[korme]

My favorite indie rock group of all-time (just so happen to be from Cincinnati) is putting out some early release singles before their full album in two months

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/71xmrULJ-ms" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[BYU 14]

Not bad, but they are no Kansas ;)

My favorite indie rock group of all-time (just so happen to be from Cincinnati) is putting out some early release singles before their full album in two months

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/71xmrULJ-ms" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[HerRealName]

I like the new Isbell but the new Lee Bains & The Glory Fires came out yesterday and is really great. This is the song living in my head right now.

<iframe src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/74WjygqC1qmaMqXGtNe10b" width="300" height="380" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true"></iframe>

For the record, my favorite Cincinnati bands:
1. Afghan Whigs
2. Ass Ponys
3. The National
4. Wussy
5. Buffalo Killers

[Vince, Pt. II]

My favorite indie rock group of all-time (just so happen to be from Cincinnati) is putting out some early release singles before their full album in two months

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/71xmrULJ-ms" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I have tried so hard to like The National, and I do. I just don't do anything more than like them. As in "they're pretty ok." My best friend is a huge fan, and I know several others who just love them, and I just can't get there with them.

[BYU 14]

Came across these guys this week. It's like they were just thawed out from the 70's, which is not a bad thing. Very Zep like IMO, and it is nice to see young bands embracing the classic rock sound.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NZUD-5oa7Hc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[JonInMiddleGA]

Came across these guys this week. It's like they were just thawed out from the 70's, which is not a bad thing. Very Zep like IMO, and it is nice to see young bands embracing the classic rock sound.


Heh, knew who this was going to be about before the video preview even loaded :)

They are even more impressive because they look, basically, like they just left their first middle school concert performance. (The pics of them with Eddie Trunk this week, you wanted to make sure they were drinking their milk & had finished their homework).

Long term, I wonder how much of the success of the lead single ("Highway Tune") is because of the almost perfect Zep cloning that takes place on it. Whether they have actually legs with radio, or sales when a full album finally drops (so far just a four song EP), that's a different question.

I like 'em, I'm hopeful what they can become, but still VERY early to figure out.


As for "embracing the classic rock sound", I'm actually weary of how overplayed that gimmick has become in the past 2-3 years. Every third band I hear seems to be trying to hit the old 70s stoner rock vibe, and if it's not that then it's the one-trick pony of being old-school "blues rock". Radio may not be reflecting the proliferation of it but, if that's your thing, trust me when I say there's a good bit of it floating around lately.

[BYU 14]

Heh, knew who this was going to be about before the video preview even loaded :)

They are even more impressive because they look, basically, like they just left their first middle school concert performance. (The pics of them with Eddie Trunk this week, you wanted to make sure they were drinking their milk & had finished their homework).

Long term, I wonder how much of the success of the lead single ("Highway Tune") is because of the almost perfect Zep cloning that takes place on it. Whether they have actually legs with radio, or sales when a full album finally drops (so far just a four song EP), that's a different question.

I like 'em, I'm hopeful what they can become, but still VERY early to figure out.


As for "embracing the classic rock sound", I'm actually weary of how overplayed that gimmick has become in the past 2-3 years. Every third band I hear seems to be trying to hit the old 70s stoner rock vibe, and if it's not that then it's the one-trick pony of being old-school "blues rock". Radio may not be reflecting the proliferation of it but, if that's your thing, trust me when I say there's a good bit of it floating around lately.

I actually heard of them on Eddie Trunk and then went and checked them out. I think they have sustainability, but again it is getting enough exposure. I haven't had the same experience with the old school sounds as you out here, at least with brand new bands. Which could be the region I live in, or me not searching hard enough, so it is still refreshing for me :) I also really like CT's new album. There last couple of releases each had a couple of songs I liked, but 'We're all Alright' could have been recorded in the same sessions as 'In Color' or 'Heaven Tonight'. Just too bad they are probably getting close to packing it in.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I actually heard of them on Eddie Trunk and then went and checked them out. I think they have sustainability, but again it is getting enough exposure. I haven't had the same experience with the old school sounds as you out here, at least with brand new bands. Which could be the region I live in, or me not searching hard enough, so it is still refreshing for me :) I also really like CT's new album. There last couple of releases each had a couple of songs I liked, but 'We're all Alright' could have been recorded in the same sessions as 'In Color' or 'Heaven Tonight'. Just too bad they are probably getting close to packing it in.

It is, mostly, a function of me spending 10-20 hours a week on current (and forthcoming) rock. We all have our hobbies I guess.

I heard the buzz about GVF probably a month before the first single officially went to radio (Octane started playing it late April, national debut was officially early June). Took me a couple of weeks to digest the first song, which is easily the most Led Zep of their EP, my question being whether it was legit sound or a carefully contrived spooky close imitation. I settled on it being happenstance that he sounds like Plant's long-lost son and that it wouldn't be fair to downplay them on that basis.

As for other bands that have that 70s groove going, I hear it (to varying degrees) in bands like Rival Sons, Monster Truck, One Bad Son -- all of whom have had more radio success in Canada than in the U.S. It's not really my primary "thing" so I tend to hear more of it than I actually like, so those are three that definitely stand out to me as being very good at it.

[BYU 14]

I like Rival Sons, haven't heard the other two. Will have to check them out. My musical taste is so varied, when I come upon new bands, it is usually just stumbling across them, since I don't focus more on one genre over another.

[Easy Mac]

It just looks like kids playing dress up, poorly. I'm somewhat glad there weren't modern day music videos back in the 60/70s. I feel like the classic rock gods would be just as ridiculous. Also, that rat tail needs to die.

For me, I haven't found anything in 2017 I've really latched onto. It's been a lot of established indie bands adding to their catalog. Solid, but not groundbreaking (loss campesinos, spoon, real estate...). I like the new Day Wave album, but it's really just what you'd get if you combined The Drums and Beach Fossils.

I'm still obsessed with Pinegrove's - Cardinal. It's like the perfect album. Like if you filter emo through country rock. It's there with Bon Iver's S/T album where if a track pops in my shuffle, I switch over to the album.

Also, I found out a day late that John Moreland was playing a set within walking distance of my work earlier this week. I would have loved to listen to that guy live.

[A-Husker-4-Life]

Came across these guys this week. It's like they were just thawed out from the 70's, which is not a bad thing. Very Zep like IMO, and it is nice to see young bands embracing the classic rock sound.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NZUD-5oa7Hc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Thanks, they kids are great.. I agree very zep, alittle rush also.

[Easy Mac]

The new Taylor song is sooooooo bad.

[cthomer5000]

The new Taylor song is sooooooo bad.

It's real bad. I hope the album is better but I don't have much hope.

1989 was a small trim away from being an absolute end-to-end banger of an album.

Just make a playlist with tracks 1-3 and 5-9 and that is a very fine album. 4 and 10-13 are just needless.

As the years roll on I think artists care less about sequencing or general bloat as we're in such a singles/digital age. You just grab what you like and move on. Not a real expectation of people listening to all it all in one sitting. It's unfortunate. I don't think people would think a movie was better if it was 4 hours because it kept in a bunch of scenes that weren't as good or didn't fit with the rest.

[JonInMiddleGA]

As the years roll on I think artists care less about sequencing or general bloat as we're in such a singles/digital age.

This is definitely a thing.

Past several years I've gone through 200+ albums to compile my year-end list of the best ... less than 1% have even half the tracks be anything better than meh. And that's true even for the ones that are the very best. No more than 1-3 albums in any year have been interesting for 50% or more of their cuts.

[Groundhog]

Came across these guys this week. It's like they were just thawed out from the 70's, which is not a bad thing. Very Zep like IMO, and it is nice to see young bands embracing the classic rock sound.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NZUD-5oa7Hc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I hear equal parts Led Zep/Pearl Jam (strangely). Not bad at all, I'd like to hear more.

[A-Husker-4-Life]

I've been trying to go and see Greta Van Fleet but all their shows have been sold out. I think they are the next big thing, see them before the industry changes them.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Congrats to Greta Van Fleet today, scoring their first number one single on the Active Rock airplay chart.

[Ksyrup]

Dang, only on the second page of a 2016 music thread?

I won't try to make up for the last 5 years, but here's some new-ish and upcoming stuff I'm listening to and looking forward to.

Steven Wilson - a pop album from the prog master! This guy can do no wrong.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dGTsN0L6x84" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Bent Knee - I ordinarily don't like over the top vocal styles, but this woman is phenomenal and the music is quirky/proggy enough to hold my interest. She's a dynamo but admittedly an acquired taste. This is a live version and is incredible.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e9QAlYV6qsY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Voyager - Australian modern rock band that has a distinct 80s vibe to it. They even have a keytar.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oIlMNkW_YrQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Leprous - Not sure how to characterize this band. Modern rock with a prog feel, similar to a band called Agent Fresco that I also enjoy.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FZSlX1zXnfM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Everything Everything - Best pure pop/rock band I've come across in the past several years. Last album was bizarre and fun and my kids loved it, which is a plus. This album is a little more focused but still the kind of pop I wish was on the radio. Falsetto vocal style takes some getting used to.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/myQVHve73vk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Paradise Lost - Doom metal, I love this kind of stuff. Sounds like a cross between Type O Negative and Woods of Ypres. Nothing better than slow, sludgy, depressing music to get me fired up.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ufs-kLZFyjU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Coming out in the next two weeks - August/ September has bankrupted me with so many awesome releases.

Arcane Roots - This is my favorite new rock/metal band of the past 2-3 years. I was blown aware by their EP last year and this album is going to be great.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gp4xCsLi7gM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


The Contortionist - This is a band that used to be total harsh vocals but segued last album to a post-rock atmospheric sound with a couple of harsh vocal tunes. Now seems that they have doubled down on the atmospheric stuff. Love it.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KJu3-qGap_k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Caligula's Horse - Prog band with a kinda Opeth sound to them at times.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lYWD1abgKI8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Nothing More - This is a band that made waves with its first album and is ready to explode with an aggressive but very mainstream sound. A couple of songs off the album that I've heard almost go the way of Fallout Boy production. Reminds me of what Def Leppard would have sounded like (production-wise) if Hysteria came out 30 years later - same kind of over-the-top radio friendly production, albeit the lyrical content is much more serious at times.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SV6pvII1eFU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


I guess that's about it for the moment...

[Ksyrup]

Well, I guess I understand why the 2016 Music thread is only 2 pages deep...

Anyway, a few new things I've gotten recently. A couple of solo projects from the leaders of two of the best prog rock bands currently going, Daniel Cavanagh from Anathema and Mariusz Duda (under his solo band name Lunatic Soul) from Riverside.

This is simply beautiful.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pKGoYUZ_B1c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


This is way more electronica than anything Duda or Riverside has ever done, but I love it.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q3PcAWvDjLk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


This song is phenomenal. The album is very personal to Duda, coming on the heels of the death of Riverside's guitarist.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SyX2JZ0fFn0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


A blast from the past - Last Crack, a very unique, original and underappreciated band from the early 90s that got destroyed by the grunge revolution is back. Burning Time is still one of my all-time favorite albums, like a prog rock/metal band fronted by a Bono-like vocalist with a Jim Morrison-type of persona. This is the new song they released to kick off a GoFundMe campaign for a new album.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ekaVw2CviKw?start=261" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


OK, something a little heavier. Fleshkiller, the new band from Ole Borud of Extol. Heavy as crap but adds some melody as texture and progressive metal elements. And the funny thing is, this is technically Christian Metal.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s2KbGnmeAJ0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


New VAST! Been a Jon Crosby fan since the first VAST album back in the last 90s. Touched is still one of the great rock songs of the past 25 years, IMO.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/12nKi-_EMqw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>