Rock Band 3

Rock Band has received a lot of criticism since its release due to the fact that the instruments do not teach any real musical skill. Rock Band 3 fixes all of that.

If I am reading their website right (and I think I am) this amazing game has become even more amazinger (See Dictionary of Alex).  

Now up to 7 people can play the game with all new controllers.  You can have 3 different sets of vocals (first introduced in The Beatles Rock Band), and a keyboard player in addition to the standard guitarist, bassist, and drummer.  

Not only can you "expand the band", but the game has introduced a new hybrid guitar/controller. It is a fully functional six string electric guitar and controller. Making it possible to actually play along with the game.

Then a mini keyboard was added along with three expansion packs for the drums, making a fully functional electronic drum set.

You can play all of these new controllers/devices on "Pro Mode" and learn the fundamentals of playing a real instrument!  The game that revolutionized the gaming and music world just revolutionized it again.

The game will release on October 26, 2010 in the US, but can be pre-ordered now!

Did I mention that my birthday was on Friday and if you are looking for a belated gift this might be a good one. Thank you!

My Chemical Romance's New Album?

So last week, I decided I was going to write a blog of how pissed off I am at My Chemical Romance and possibly start a rumor of a break-up.  This is a band that recently won an award on MTV.com for "The Biggest Band of Today," yet they have been teasing us with a new album for the last year.  Their last album The Black Parade was released almost four years ago.

Then at the beginning of 2009, they said a new album was going to release in the Summer. Summer came and went. Nothing happened. Then they said the beginning of 2010. Still nothing happened.  Than they said April 2010. Still nothing.

Then since April, they stopped doing tours to be with family. They stopped posting updates on their website. During the Summer, drummer Bob Bryar left the band, and nothing was posted on their Twitter for months.

I smelled break-up. I was so angry that the supposed "Biggest Band of Today" will never again release another album. Did the fame go to their head?

Then on their website, they posted this video.

My Chemical Romance, I forgive you.

Hurley by Weezer (New Album Review)

     I am sorry that it took me a week to get a review of Hurley up on my blog, but trust me, it took a week for me to figure out whether or not I liked the album.

    Lets face it, Weezer has been in a major downward spiral and after the release of their last album Raditude, I thought all was completely lost for the band.  I can see Raditude as the type of album that would break-up a band.

    And then I hear on their Twitter that they are releasing Hurley just 10 short months after Raditude and to top it off they are using that fat guy (I am sorry, I mean big-boned) from Lost as their album cover.   It almost seemed like this album was going to be a joke.  

     So I plugged my iPhone into my iHome and played the album.

     The first song was "Memories." It started off slowly with soft music in the background, and I thought to myself, "Oh great! Another power pop piece of crap. Thanks for wasting my $11.99 Weezer!" 

     But then Weezer came out of the speakers and slapped me in the face. All of the instruments came together with a crash. It was a beautiful crash. The song was good.  I was completely blind-sighted.  It reminded me of, dare i say it.... Old Weezer.

     Then the next song came, and that was good. It continued on like this throughout the album.

      But back to the reason why it took me so long to do an album review. It is because I didn't know if the album was good because I was expecting another Raditude or because it is actually good.  The answer is the latter.

    With the exception of songs like "Where's My Sex" and "Smart Girls" the album was really good.  And it isn't like those songs are bad, they are actually very clever, but they do not fit in such a serious album. (and Hurley is a very serious for a band like Weezer)

     Also, the Deluxe version is useless. I bought it on iTunes and the Webisode was just random, the song "All My Friends Are Insects" is more like a nursery rhyme than a song, and if I wanted to listen to "Viva la Vida," i would listen to the billions of different covers that have already been done.

     The actually album is great though. I still wouldn't compare it to "The Blue Album" or "Pinkerton," but it seems like Weezer is headed back to that direction again.

     Overall, it is definitely a record I will listen to over and over again. So buy it and let me know what you think.

Favorite Tracks: "Memories"   "Ruling Me"   "Trainwrecks"   "Unspoken"

Weezer's Memories Music Video (NEW)

Weezer |MTV Music

Weezer has a new music video out for their single "Memories" which is off of their new album Hurley. The new album is set to release this Tueday, about 10 months since their release of Raditude, and has both a Deluxe and Standard version. The music video premiered on MTV.com last week.

Dark is the Way Light is a Place by Anberlin (Album Review)

Have you ever gotten your ass kicked and loved every minute of it? Well, this album is kind of like that.

In a press release when lead singer Stephen Christian was asked what he thought the impact of the album would be, he replied, "I feel like we're on the brink of something... either world domination or destruction, but either way we're on the brink."


How about both. My world was dominated and then destroyed.  


I cant really compare this album to any of their past albums. The closest thing to it is their most recent album New Surrender, but even then it is like comparing a soy burger to a double angus beef burger. And this album is definitely 100% angus beef.


The album starts off with a punch right in the jaw with "We Owe This To Ourselves," a fast paced old fashioned punk anthem. The album then continues with a knee to the groin with "Impossible." A song that will be climbing the charts very soon in my opinion.


The rest of the album jabs at your stomach with harsh lyrics like "because of you, I'll never write another love song," "who needs enemies when we got friends like you," and "tie my hands before i burn this town."


Not to mention my favorite song on the album "Pray Tell" with lyrics that will make you cry, but a beat that will make you want to get up and dance (I refrained for the safety of myself and those around me).


The last song "Depraved" is a five minute 25 second knockout punch that will leave you on the floor in your own sweat and blood satisfied and wanting more.


My only complaint is that the album is only 10 tracks. Come on Anberlin! After those songs I want more!!! You big tease! Do I really have to wait until your next album to hear more!? I want it now! I am addicted!


I would get more in-depth with the review but this is an album that you really have to hear to understand the power behind it.


The album released officially today and you can buy it on itunes, best buy, and local retailers. Best buy is having a special  package right now and today only amazon is offering the album for only $3.99!


www.anberlin.com
www.amazon.com
www.bestbuy.com

New Anberlin Album!

Stay tuned, tomorrow I will give you a review of the new Anberlin album Dark is the Way Light is a Place. I pre-ordered this album a month ago and received it in the mail two days ago along with a surprise autographed screen printed album artwork (thanks guys!) . I have already listened to it multiple times, but I am holding off on my review until it officially releases out of respect for the artist and record label. If you want to purchase the album, it will be available at midnight tonight on itunes (usually it is on eastern time) or check your local record stores.  you might also want to check out anberlin.com for some bundles. (I got a t-shirt!)

www.anberlin.com

What is considered Rock?

With so many genres and such blurred definitions it seems so hard to define a musical style as rock.

I know there are music analysts out there that are going to give me some type of technical definition for Rock 'n' Roll or tell me what the history of it is, but i am not looking for a musical lesson.  I am talking about looking at general music listeners with general knowledge of music.

Look at all of the sub-genres of rock (for ex, punk, emo, metal, post-hardcore, southern rock, alternative, math rock, etc).  The list can go on forever.

Lets think about Lady GaGa for a moment. (I think I spelled her name right) Can she be considered a rock artist? it turns my stomach upside down to say this, but yeah, you can say she fits in the genre of rock. What about Toby Keith? Yeah, you can also argue that he is a rockstar.

Its funny that these two artists that are primarily known for their influence in Pop and Country music can be considered rock artists as well.  If I am confusing you then i have done my job.  Music in the last century has evolved so much that it seems impossible to group music into categories.  It is becoming easier for artists to crossover into a new genre.  There are no more boundary lines. Just a melting pot of musical artists so to speak.

I know this is terrible to think that rock, pop, country,blues, etc are very similar, but isn't that what makes music great! I can say that I am a fan of rock music and listen to both Led Zeppelin and Dierks Bentley without having to claim myself as a country fan as well.

Although, I seem to be on a tangent, this leads me to my main point. In this blog I can pretty much cover all "genres" of music and still consider it a rock 'n' roll blog. No, that doesn't mean that i will ever talk about Dolly Parton or Hank Williams (who played a major role in Rock 'n' Roll by the way) but don't be surprised if i talk about an artist who you don't consider a rock artist.

I hope you enjoy the blog. Thank you!