Muse // The Resistance

Resistance is the 5th studio album from MUSE, and once again Muse didn’t disappoint! Muse much like the Killers always puts out some really good tunes! Matthew Bellamy unmistakably haunting vocals, make distinguishing a Muse song easy. Muse unlike bands like Tantric don’t rely solely on their vocals to carry the band. Muse always has great variety in their sound.

Resistance as a whole album is very easy to listen to all the way through. I am not sure this is best album that Muse has ever put out but they have put out some really great albums so that really isn’t saying much. Resistance came out September 7th and I would have had this review out earlier if it wasn’t for me erasing my blog database and needing to do a backup recovery.

Overall Album Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars B

Chevelle // Sci-Fi Crimes

Sci-Fi Crimes is the Fifth Studio Album from Chevelle!  I am going to start off by saying this could be my favorite Chevelle album to date!  It is very well put together, love the power and varied in this album!  How can three guys put out this sound!  This is the second album with Dean Bernardini at Bass, after the departure of Joe Loeffler in 2005, which probably has alot to do with why this album is sounding so awesome!  They have finally Meshed!  I think it was good to get another guy in the band to help mix it up.  I am very curious to see Chevelle in concert and see if their live sound matches their album sound.

This album sounds a little like Tool, Muse or Fuel influences to me.  So if you are a fan of these band you are probably going to really dig this album!  Album is in stores today.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

“All You Need Is Love” – John, Paul, George, Ringo

The Beatles // Remastered Stereo Box Set

Tomorrow is the big day! I know many people are excited about The Beatles Rockband.  Personally I could care less about a video game.  Sure I have had fun playing Rockband in the past but it kinda got old for me.  What I was excited about was the Remastered Catalog!  Now I am not going to review the Beatles, that would be just stupid!  I am going to answer the question is it worth to buy this Remastered re-release? So I will answer your question with another questions, DO YOU LOVE YOUR EARS?  If the answer is yes, THEN GET YOUR ASS OUT THERE AND BUY THIS!  As my friend ladyducayne would say, it will change your life.

Joking aside, I have been listening to all weekend, and WOW what a difference!  I really don’t believe you can make the Beatles sound any better, short of raising John and George from the dead and putting them in latest state of the art recording studio!

Stereo Release retails – $219.00 // Mono Release Retails – $269.00 Individual albums are available the prices vary. All Albums and Rockband Game are available 09/09/09!

The Beatles // Mono Vs Stereo

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Used // Art Work

Artwork is the 4th studio album from The Used, which hit stores August 31st.  I have listened to this Album several times and came back really torn about it, because I want to like The Used.  To me they just seem like they should be so much better.  All 4 of their albums pretty much start with a bang and end with a bust.   After the first track the album seems to progressivily sound more and more the same.  I would really like to see The Used break out of their comfort zone and explore.  My Chemical Romance which is a friend of theirs has always managed to keep things fresh and new, while The Used becomes very stale very quickily.

One department that the Used really excels at however is their Album Art Work.

So my Recommendation for this album is not to pick it up unless you are hardcore Used fan.

Album Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Collective Soul // Rabbit

Rabbit is the 8th album from the Alt Rock Group Collective Soul. It has been exciting watching Collective Soul promote the Album and Tour through Twitter. I wrote a few weeks back about the very cool contest they have been having called Paying it Forward.  It is refreshing to see a band that interacts so much on a personal level with their fans!  WAY TO GO GUYS!

In my opinion Collective Soul is a highly underated band.  Ed Roland’s singing is always excellent, but collective soul is not just another average rock band with a unique singer.  Their music is beaming with, well Soul!  Rabbit is no exception, this album has great flow and rhythm.  I got the feeling from their Twitter posts that they were pretty proud of this album and knew they poured every thing they had into it, which shows!  Rabbit hit stores yesterday and I would recommend picking it up!

Collective Soul is coming to Los Angeles in a couple weeks going to do my best to make it out, I have never had the chance to see them live. I have my suspicions that they are one of those bands that can’t be fully captured in the studio.

Overall Album Rating: 4.65 out of 5 stars  Grade = A

Related Links

Read Artist That Rock Blog >>
Read About Paying Forward Contest >>
Follow Collective Soul On Twitter >>

Victims of Circumstance // Roll the Dice

I have always been a big ska fan, that goes back to my conservative Republican Days when I would rock the O.C. Supertones.  Still in my opinion one of the best Ska band I have ever heard.

These guys remind me a little of them at times.  If you aren’t familiar with Ska, it is a genre that was precursor to reggae, that later was influenced by punk and morphed into what you will hear on this album.  So think Punk with brass horns!  Roll The Dice is a very fun album.

If you like Ska or would like to hear something new, I would pick up this album

Overall Album Rating: 4.05 out of 5 stars  Grade = B-

Patrick Wolf // The Bachelor // U.S. Release August 11

The Bachelor is first of the double album that Patrick Wolf announced earlier this year.  The Bachelor was released in the U.K. June 1st and will be physically released in the U.S. Tuesday August 11th, although it has been available trough iTunes since June 2nd.  I am personally not a big fan of purchasing music through itunes, mainly because the quality is no where near the quality of a old fashion CD.  It is fine if you only listen to your music through those cheap stock white headphones, which never fit properly in my ears.  The music will sound distorted if you wanted to play the music through a sound system for a party.  Rant ended!

This album has a very unique sound that is a little difficult to describe.  It is combo of Indie Rock, Folk Guitar, 80′s pop with lots of Electric beats.  Patrick Wolf’s voice sounds nothing like what you would expect it to based on looking at him.  He has a very full, powerful voice.  This album really feels like a movie soundtrack.  I think he gets great marks for originality and music composition.  I can’t really see myself listening to this album purposely, it seems like an album that would act as a great break up in a shuffled playlist.

Overall Album Rating Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars Grade = B-

Tantric // Mind Control

Mind Control is the 4th Album from Alternative Rock group Tantric, which is most known for their 2001 smash hit “Break down” off their self titled debut.  Since then it has been one mediocre song after another.  I believe this trend is likely continue if the band keeps releasing tired records like Mind Control.  It took me a while to figure out why I didn’t like this album, The  first single, Mind Control just seems pieced together.  What?  Did they just have a chorus and thought… Well we can’t just play the chorus over and over, guess we should throw some verses together.  Then it hit me, half the problem with Tantric is Hugo Ferreira’s singing, which is just tired and weak.  I am sorry but this guy just doesn’t have the rocks to sing to this type of music.  He sounds like a country singer.  The other half of the problem is the production of this record.  A good Producer should be able to see the Hugo Ferreira has a weak voice, and make adjustments or dub his voice twice.  Sure he will sound nothing live like he does in concert, but it like everyone just gave up.

The most shocking thing about this album, is probably how it is being distributed.  Tantric landed an exclusive retail deal, guess who?  Walmart?  Target? Best Buy? NOPE!  ARBY’s!  Seriously!  Things can’t be going good when you are trying to sell your album with Beef and Cheddar combos!  These exclusive deals, are great for record companies because they are guaranteed to sell the record.  It can back fire on the band if the retail drops the ball, just ask Axl Rose.  You will still be able to get this album digitally through Itunes, if you must have it.  If you are a Tantric Fan, adore Nickelback, or still get giddy over Creed you may like this album.

Album hits Arby’s and Online Today.  Don’t get Arby’s Sauce on it if you pick it up

Overal Album Rating: 3 out of 5 stars // Grade = D-

Modest Mouse // No One's First And You're Next // In Stores August 4th

No One’s First And You’re Next is the latest EP from the Indie Rock band Modest Mouse.  This EP is a collection of B-side, unreleased tracks from Good News for People Who Love Bad News and We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank.  They went back and polished up the tracks, and I would have never believed these songs didn’t make the first cut!

Modest Mouse is one of the most underated and creative bands making music today.  Modest Mouse isn’t a trend following band, so don’t expect them to get a ton of MTV and Radio play.  Isaac Brock’s vocal style and singing is always distinct, along with their use of varying drum rhythms and just about every stringed instrument you can think of.

No One’s First And You’re Next is an album that you can put on and listen all the way through.  I particulary loved the songs, I’ve Got It All (Most) & History Sticks To Your Feet.  The album hits store August 4th, and I would recommend picking it up if you are a Indie Rock Fan.  People that like Franz Ferdinand, Pixies, The Shins will particularly love this album.

I loved this album so much, I picked up ticket to their August 29th show at the Grove of Anaheim.

Album Overall Rating – Rating: 4.65 out of 5 stars // Grade = A

Related Blogs

This Week: Modest Mouse // U.S. History // Yelp Reviews

Our Lady Peace // Burn, Burn

Burn, Burn is the 7th Studio album for the Canadian Alt Rock Band Our Lady Peace, and first new material in 4 years .  This album was self produced  by the band, which seems to be a trend in the industry, which seems to more often then not, produce an inferior product.  The bands last producer, Bob Rock, gave them their most U.S. chart success they have experienced to date topping out at 9 on the U.S. charts for Gravity and 45 for Healthy in Paranoid Times.  Bob Rock as a producer has a nack for coming in and shaking a band up to put out some good stuff, example Metallica’s black album.  But then he seems to phone it in after that, example Load and Reload.  So I understand Our Lady Peace wanting to produce their own album.  I really don’t think this is good strategy over all, I think a good producer can shake them up and get the good music out of them.

Musically Our Lady Peace has never really knocked my socks off.. If it wasn’t for Raine Maida’s unique voice I am pretty sure Our Lady Peace would have been a virtual unknown.  I think this Album is no different.  I enjoyed Monkey Brains, and a few other albums but I expect more from Our Lady Peace.  Overall I am not in love with this album, but I don’t hate it.  So it gets a C, and is bound to be a forgettable album with maybe 2 tracks represented on a future greatest hits compilation.

Rating: 3.7 out of 5 stars

Grade = C