The Incredible Machine by Sugarland (New Album Review)

I know it sounds weird that I am going to write a new album review from a band that is primarily popular in the country genre, but it was requested by a family member (and I have to do it for family) and that family member actually read my first blog post which argued that there is no exact definition of rock n' roll (I hate it when people use my own words against me).

But the fact that I actually have readers and not just sympathetic family members, was not the only surprise that was in store for me.

The new album by Sugarland, The Incredible Machine, is arguably a rock album, if not arguably a rock anthem.

Besides the subtle twang in lead vocalist's Jennifer Nettles voice, there is no evidence whatsoever of the country genre anywhere in the album. It would take a music archeologist to dig up any trace of country in these rock heavy songs.

Instead this genre bending album has touches of many genres, including rock n' roll (throughout the entire album), rap and reggae ("Stuck Like Glue"), pop ("Find The Beat Again"), and even gospel ("Shine The Light").

Most critics would argue that this once country duo is selling out and going "mainstream," but I would argue the exact opposite.  After reading that this is the first album that Sugarland wrote by themselves and after hearing that they have named musical influences like R.E.M., Blondie, and The Clash, it is easy to argue that the duo are finally finding themselves.

THIS IS THE BEST ROCK ALBUM OF 2010 SO FAR! If not the greatest rock album since the millennium.  With powerful rock n roll style vocals that would put Jared Leto and Hayley Williams to shame, (if you don't know who these musicians are then it is time to test out your Wikipedia skills) a single like "Stuck Like Glue," shredding guitar solos, and emotional and moving lyrics, this album will have you dancing and singing along with the very first guitar strum.

It is a roller coaster ride for anybody that loves music. no genre exclusions. An album for the masses.

Hear me now when I say that people will be talking about this album for a while.  This is big. I mean really big.  This crossover album will be heard on many radio stations throughout the world. 

Sugarland, please keep doing what you are doing. you are going to face harsh criticism from the country critics. Do not let them slow you down. You are creating great music that is original and creative. You are finding yourselves and I am looking forward to what you will do in the future.

World, I am not afraid to admit it. I AM A SUGARLAND FAN!

Favorite Tracks: "Incredible Machine"  "Stuck Like Glue"  "Tonight"  "Find the Beat Again"  "Shine the Light"

My Chemical Romance's Na Na Na Official Music Video (New)

My Chemical Romance |MTV Music

I promise this will be the last thing I post about My Chemical Romance until their new album comes out on Nov 22nd.

This is the Official Music Video for "NA NA NA" off of the new album

Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys

Invented by Jimmy Eat World (New Album Review)

I listened to this album multiple times and I came to one conclusion.  Jimmy Eat World is reliable.  I hate to sound like I am reviewing a car rather than a rock album but the term "reliable" couldn't ring more true in this case. 

Invented is the same Jimmy Eat World that I fell in love with.  It is a love that will forever be nothing more than a friendship.  And like a friend, Jimmy Eat World will always be there for me in good times and bad.

However, Jimmy Eat World will never be anything more than just a friend.  That friendship will never blossom into anything more intimate.

In plain English, Invented, like all other Jimmy Eat World albums, is a good one, but will never be great. It seems like the line between a good album and a great album cannot be reached by the band.

The album is good all the way through, from the first track "Heart is Hard to Find" to the final track "Mixtape."

The album also includes surprises along the way, including guitarist and back up vocalist Tom Linton providing lead vocals for the first time in eleven years on the track "Action Needs an Audience."

Also, small time singer-songwriter Courtney Marie Andrews provides soothing female vocals on five of the tracks.

Not to mention the powerhouse single "My Best Theory" with a strong raw rock n roll feel.

The album will satisfy any Jimmy Eat World fan.

P.S. I would advise buying the Deluxe version of iTunes. It provides five more strong tracks including two cover songs, an acoustic version of "Mixtape" and a bonus demo. It will be well worth the extra dollars.

Favorite Tracks: "Heart is Hard to Find"  "My Best Theory"  "Coffee and Cigarettes"  "Mixtape"

My Chemical Romance - Na Na Na

My Chemical Romance |MTV Music

I thought this was very cool and creative, plus it gets me amped for the new album out on NOV 22nd called Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys

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"