Best Album Sticker

With the availability of music on the internet, it's not often you really need to go to a record store (except for the audiophiles buying vinyl).  When you do go to a record shop, you'll notice many of the albums (especially new releases & top sellers) will have their covers cluttered with stickers advertising the hit singles included, parental advisory, a free download or movie ticket offer, and/or the use of recycled packaging material.

Most often these stickers just detract from the album artwork and I can't wait to remove the cellophane.  I recently discovered a rare exception and the greatest sticker to grace album covers (I use the plural, but I've only seen it on one album).  Here it is, the "PLAY LOUD" sticker:

Oh No... Boy Bands Are Back

It would seem that boy bands have returned to the collective pop culture conscience.  The Wanted and One Direction could be compared with N*Sync and the Backstreet Boys, although it is as if the British Invasion of the 60s and the 90s boy band craze have mixed to create a British boy bands trend of the 2010s.

Countless Twitter trends, obsessed preteens with usernames like ShannenAdoresTW & Jadore1Dx, and fans identifying themselves with quirky names like Directioners.  Well this is a step above the teeny-bopper idol trend of Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus, there are plenty of other trends in music I'd rather see resurface (grunge and the Seattle sound are just one example).  I guess the only thing to do is wait out the trend until something better invades popular music.

One thing I will admit is that "Glad You Came" is one catchy tune.


This discussion brings up one question.  Where do you stand?  One Direction or The Wanted?  Comment your thoughts below or Tweet to @sicumreviews

Rush's 20th Album, Their Heaviest?

Clockwork Angels, Rush's 20th album, is due out June 12, 2012.  "Caravan", released almost two years ago, was quite a hard rocking song.  The next single, "Headlong Flight", has just been released and is described by Rolling Stone as "the trio's most hard-charging number in recent years."  Even the album artwork seems a little dark, see right.  This leads me to believe Rush fans are in for one of the heaviest Rush albums of their career, and frankly, it's awesome.  Rush is generally classified as a hard rock or metal band, but their music has always been more progressive rock and never quite as heavy as modern metal bands.  Clockwork Angels may be an album that could cross boundaries and appeal to new fans.  Metal fans that are too young to be familiar with Rush's older material (aside from a few synth-heavy hits) could take a liking to this album.

Check out "Headlong Flight", streaming on Rolling Stone, and tell me what you think in the comments or Tweet to @sicumreviews

Upcoming Music Films

Looking at lists of upcoming film release dates, there are a few music-themed movies to look forward to.  Of course there is Footloose (not interested), the Green Day documentary/musical American Idiot, and Tom Cruise in the film adaption of Rock of Ages, but there were a few films that I had forgot about or just heard of.

With an October release, George Harrison: Living in the Material World is the first film to look out for.  Directed by Martin Scorsese with the blessing of Olivia Harrison, the picture debuts on HBO with part one on October 5th and part two on the 6th.  If you happen to live in the UK, there is an October 2nd premiere in Liverpool at the Foundation for Art and Creative Technology.  If you can't wait just over a week to see this picture, then hopefully this trailer can satisfy you for the time being.

Just about a month later, Killing Bono has a limited release November 4th.  In this rock comedy, two brothers and school mates of U2 struggle to make a name in the 1980s music scene and watch U2's fame skyrocket.  If you live outside of a major city and don't get limited releases, you can order Killing Bono on DVD.


Another limited release (see here) in November, is The Other F Word.  The documentary film discusses the transition from rocker to "soccer dad".  The film features Pennywise's Jim Lindberg, Flea, Mark Hoppus, Black Flag's Ron Reyes, Tim McIlrath, Fat Mike of NOFX, and several others.  In case you're still wondering, the other F word is "father".  View all film clips on the official site.

Motorhead, Slipknot & Metallica Streaming Live Now!

Mötorhead is set to stream live shortly from Rock in Rio and they will be followed by Slipknot and the day's headliner, Metallica.

Full Lineup and Times

Video Stream

Don't miss out on this great chance to see huge acts from the legendary festival!

Muppet Aliens Dubstep

Aliens search for music on the ra-di-o.  They obviously know what's up with popular music and settle on some dubstep.

Peanut Butter and Swelly

If you haven't already downloaded it, make sure you get Peanut Butter and Swelly.  The latest mixtape from Chiddy Bang is amazing and best of all, free!  Unfortunately, I won't have time for a full review, but I was impressed with this mixtape.  Chiddy and Xaphoon really know how to have fun on a record and make great tracks.  Some of my favourites were "Too Much Soul", "I Can't Stop (Freestyle)", "Jacuzzi (Lost in the Vapors)", "Baby Roulette ft. Train", "Always (On My Grizzly) ft. eLDee the Don", and "Cameras".  The entire album in general was enjoyable and covered a lot of ground from electronic dance to hip-hop/rap to soul.  This really shows why Chiddy is one of my favourite rappers ever.

Chiddy Bang is really in it for the music and most (if not all of their mixtapes) are offered for free download.  I wish more artists would give their music to fans this way.  If you don't download this now and it disappears, you will regret it!