Comeback/Hiatus/Gap Albums

I don't know what you would actually call them, but it seems 2011 is the year for artists who have been off the grid for a while to release an album. The Strokes just released Angles (which I reviewed) after 5 years without a new album and the most recent album I reviewed, Screaming Bloody Murder, comes from Sum 41, whose last album released in 2007. And plenty more albums are expected later in the year from bands that haven't been in the studio for quite some time. The Foo Fighters album should be out in April and their last also came out in 2007, and the same for the Beastie Boys. The Red Hot Chili Pepper's new album, currently titled Dr. Johnny Skinz’s Disproportionately Rambunctious Polar Express Machine-head, is expected this year and Stadium Arcadium released in 2006. Radiohead gapped from 2007 to 2011 for The King of Limbs and Blink 182's album if released this year will gap from 2003 to now. I could go on and on with examples of this. At first, I thought it must have been due to 2009 and 2010 being a big period of reunions and reformations. But so many of these bands and those not listed here, never broke up officially. I can't explain why this is, but based on the records released thus far in 2011, I think I don't mind bands spending the time to create a solid album. So long as bands stagger their release years. That way we don't go years without new music and as an added bonus that makes it easier to win awards with less bands competing simultaneously.

Rebecca Black

Here are two videos. The first is the video for Rebecca Black's "Friday" and the second is an acoustic version sung on Good Morning America, essentially to retaliate against negative web criticism. I have no idea who Rebecca Black is, but she's going about making her career in the wrong way. But I guess any press is good press?

Proving she can actually sing isn't doing anything for her song. It doesn't matter that she is a good singer. She should have worked hard and written her own songs, slowly working her way to fame. Instead she has chosen to be manufactured and packaged to get an instant ticket to fame. Even Katy Perry had songs and an album out (with little recognition) before she changed her image to the pop star she is now. And Ke$ha had sung vocals on a number one hit song and received zero compensation in return. It's like acting: prove your talent, then do a blockbuster and then an Oscar potential picture. Once you've struggled to get on a record label's radar, you can do the couple pre-packaged pop hits to satisfy them and then slip in your own songs on the rest of the album. Furthermore, why would YOU pay the record company to let you record their song. They are the ones who need you to make any money off the song. Manufactured pop stars are called "sell outs" because they let themselves be manufactured in return for fame and money from record companies. Apparently you can now pay to be a sell out, defeats the point. I really hope Rebecca will recover from this and get the attention of a different label. Then maybe she can be judged for music she actually participated in creating, not some karaoke a record company recorded.

P.S. Does it make any sense that a group of thirteen year olds are cruising around in a convertible? And all this cost $2ooo, ever heard of 99dollarmusicvideos.com?

Review of Rise Against's Endgame

As promised, here is what I think about Rise Against's latest masterpiece album (I should contain my praise and let you hear my full thoughts in the review):

New Review and Other Updates

Two new videos have been posted to my YouTube channel. The first is some great songs from the past year and the second is a review of an indie rock album from rockproper.com. I chose the album at random from many other they offer. You can hear what I thought and then listen to it for yourself. If you don't want to download the full album, I put one of the better songs in the video in FULL.

Stayed tuned for more reviews. I hope to be getting Rise Against new album Endgame this Tuesday and I let you know what I think.

I'm Still Here

These are just some quick updates, this has nothing to due with that movie.

I am back at school and have been super busy with classes and the crap that you have to do at the start of every term. So that is why there has been little activity for the last month.

I went to see USS at the Bomber, which they described as one of their top 5 gigs. It was quite intense and I really feel sorry for the few security guards who had to keep everyone back from the stage/platform. I have to submit a review of this for an assignment in one of my courses, so once that is done and submitted, I will post it here.

Since I have very little time to keep up this blog and my other blog (prolesec.blogspot.com), I have thoughts about joining them and Sicum Reviews posts will be identifiable by tags and/or posted by name. If you don't like this idea let me know.

Soundtracks

This weekend I went to see two movies, The Social Network and Resident Evil: Afterlife. I had completely forgotten about hearing that Trent Reznor would be doing the soundtrack for The Social Network. When Atticus Ross and Reznor's names appeared in the opening credits, I immediately recalled hearing that and my expectations increased. For those of you who don't know Atticus Ross, he has worked with Reznor on several projects and is part of How to Destroy Angels. Reznor and Ross didn't disappoint, I really enjoyed the music during the film. And the movie was pretty good as well. If you haven't seen the movie yet or just want to listen to it anyways, there is a five track sampler available for free download.

If you really enjoy rock music that you will love the soundtrack for Resident Evil: Afterlife. I have yet to find the full soundtrack, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The music was very fitting. It was eerie rock and at times built up quite epically. The closing song by A Perfect Circle, "Outsider (Apocalypse Remix)", will give you an idea of the style of music used in the film. I'm not sure if the music was all original or just a collection of instrumental versions of songs. Nevertheless, I want the soundtrack when I can find it.

Stone Temple Pilots @ The Air Canada Centre, Toronto

As I mentioned in the last post, I won tickets to see the Stone Temple Pilots and I must say even though I was on the opposite side of the stadium in seats it was still a great show. Cage the Elephant was insane. Matt Shultz, the lead singer, is wild. He was running all over the place and after he was bored of crowd surfing he decide to stand on the crowd during their last song. The microphone setup was a little off for both Hot Hot Heat and Cage the Elephant, because it was often hard to hear and understand the lyrics over the music. Luckily it was fixed for STP.

STP played a good full set and included all my favourites, so I was pleased. If you like blues rock or just blues I would definitely go see them live. They play just like their records but add all sorts of riffs and jams (I should mention that I've read accusations of lip syncing from Scott Weiland, but I watched him and it looked legit). Most songs start with either the bass or lead guitarist going off on a sweet blues jam. The stage was trippy. A full wall of lights showed some rough images, but mostly just psychedelic visualizations (similar to those in Windows Media Player but better). There were a few things I didn't like about the show. From my seats in the 100 level, in arguably one of the best places, I couldn't even make out band members faces. I am also not a fan of sitting down at rock shows, especially for bands as energetic as Cage the Elephant. It is quite awkward sitting there watching someone run around, jump, and blast great music when you have to space to get up and jump yourself. It's for this reason I've never enjoyed the ACC as a concert venue (with the exception of Trans Siberian Orchestra). You might say to buy floor tickets, but those are usually expensive and even then nothing can beat seeing your favourite band in a small intimate club venue.

Overall, STP were great and I can check them off the list of the many bands I have to see, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see them again. But, I wouldn't mind seeing them play a smaller venue. I would definitely like to see Cage the Elephant again once they have released more albums. It is hard for them to play a full set when they only have 12 track album. I'd want floor tickets for that too. STP is worth seeing live, but seeing as they've been on hiatus and split before, who knows how many more tours they have left in themselves. So if you have the chance to see STP on this tour I would make sure I get there.

By the way, I got a place and I'm moving back to school this weekend. So once I'm settled in and I get through the first week of parties, I will get some more articles and reviews out.