Theres been some amaaaazing releases this year and i wanted to share the ones i enjoyed the most with you guys!
make sure to leave your comments and tell me what you think of what ive said and how ive reviewed these albums as well as what you think of the albums themselves! =]
1.Breaking Benjamin-Dear Agony
Released on September, 29th, 2009. This cd has to be my favorite release by Breaking Benjamin and my favorite release this year! I cant get enough of it. My favorite song on the cd has to be "Fade Away" its soo deep and dark thought ridden its amazing! All the songs portray very deep sadness and i think thats what i like best about it and the band itself. The songs are real, they emit real cutting human emotion and this cd brings it to life very well, more so then all thier other previous releases. This release took awhile for them to release almost 2-3 years in the making, And you can tell all the hard work they have put into this. "Dear Agony" sold over 134,000 in just the first week of release and hit the Billboard Top 200 At No.4 in its first week also. Deff a must have and a great addition to any hard rock lovers cd collection! I hope you guys enjoy this as much i as i do!
2.Breathe Carolina-Hello Fascination
Released on August, 18th, 2009. I dont even know where to begin with this one. Newly signed on to Fearless Records, Breathe Carolina has released a cd that will very much so make a great name for themselves in the electronic/pop music industry, deffinately giving other artists in the same genre a run for their money. While Being very up-beat, the 5th track titled "I.D.G.A.F." shows a hint of carelessness and angst which makes for great contrast from the light, techno, sexually driven songs that this cd makes up. This cd has made amazing placement on many sects of the billboard charts, on the U.S. Billboard Rock Albums they peaked at #11. The best placement they made with this release was on the U.S. Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart peaking at #2. In Japan "Hello Fascination" as released with a bonus track titled "Have You Ever Danced" this song also featured Jeffree Star, Austin Carlile, And Dave Strachman. And i must say i love the cd cover. Something i found interesting was that the song "I Have To Go Return Some Video Tapes" was pretty much dedicated to "American Psycho" with a line used by Christian Bale. Listening to this cd usually puts me in a great mood so up-beat, carefree and just overall a great release.
3.Saosin-In Search Of Solid Ground
Released on September, 8th, 2009. First of all I'd like to say this is thier best release yet. Debuting at a very great peak of #4 on the Billboard Alternitive Albums chart, this was a very well loved release to all Saosin fans. They deffinately did not dissapoint with this one. A great Cd to listen to while relaxing, while also giving it time to listen to the meloncholy lyrics and mesmerizing riffs and as always great drumming. I find these songs to give off an hier of heartfelt hopelessness while giving the message to never give up no matter how bad you may feel with where you are in life. A very important message for all to hear and they potray this with flying colors. This cd bears my favorite Saosin song to date, "Deep Down". This song above all the rest of the tracks has the deepest lyrics in my opinion, the chorus really seems to pull at your heart, "Deep down its getting hard to breathe now im reaching out to touch you and i cant feel at all" seems to be saying he is trying so hard to get rid of his dark pain by reaching out to someone to help him with his struggles, and hes falling and alone.I'd say that "Changing" is the lighthearted song on the album with the most catch to most listeners. I find the songs to flow very well with each other, theres nothing out of place, as same with thier more known self titled release Many bands have had much trouble with thier sophmore album, but Saosin had no problem at all. While i was listening to this cd for the first time i found some similarities with some songs on this and on the Grey EP from 2008. Then i realised that "I Keep My Secrets Safe" was "Keep Secrets" from the Grey EP but with a totally different chorus. And "The Worst Of Me" on In Search of Solid Ground is "Love Maker" from the Grey EP. To sum up this cd all i need to really say is, AMAZING!
4. There For Tomorrow-A little Faster
Released on June, 6th, 2009 on Hopeless Records. For a new comer this band is rising to the occasion of money making with writing amazing songs. Most critics that have reviewed this have given it a 3 out of 5. On this release the song that speaks the highest message is the song "The World Calling" telling listeners and fans that yes, life is only getting harder and not getting in the least bit easier but you can get through it yourself without permission or direction from any other. Christian Climer is a totally talented giutarist, one of the best ive heard in a long time, And Maika Maile has a voice that just pulls you in, its captivating. One thing that really makes these songs what they are is the back-up vocals, really adds another layer of depth that other newer bands ive heard havent came close to achieving. I give this band soo much credit for how much passion they put into their music and how much effort went into making this a fan loved release. While still in thier teens, i kno there are going to many great things to come from this band in the future.
5.Lady Gaga-The Fame Monster
Released on August, 19th, 2009. The much improved re-release of the 2008 album "The Fame" It pretty much has already eaten it alive in record sales. The Fame Monster is up for 2 Grammys, Album Of The Year, And Best Electronic/Dance Album which im sure she is going to have no problem scoring. I found her colaboration with Beyonce(not a fan by the way) for "Telephone" was amazing, and she incorporated Beyonce well. The Album and the released singles have peaked and remained between the ranking of number 1-5 on almost all the charts it has appeared on, but at the moment The Fame Monster has a surprising Placement on the Billboard top 200 albums at #13 The Fame is at #5. Lady Gaga captivates her listeners with her very sexual lryics, dance friendly beats, and her attitude toward her work. She is one of the most unique Artists to grace the music industry in years and everyone that looks and listens to her has no doubt about that. Her fan Base grows rapidly every day and she deserves every bit of it. This is one Cd i hope everyone will give a chance and check out!
6.AFI-Crash Love
Released on September, 29th, 2009. Crash Love in its first week killed the sales with 52,000 copies sold.This Cd is certainly quite twisted and dark, deffinately Daveys writing forte. The lyrics are impecable! As i said in my other review for this cd, you cant just listen non-chalantaly, you must take the time and REALLY listen to what is being said and the message at hand. I find Davey Havoc to be my favorite lyricist he really pours his heart into these songs, and In turn, its doing very exceptionally well on the various billboard album charts and continues to sell off the cd store shelves . Crash Love is really bringing out AFI's true hardcore punk roots, which i felt thier 2006 release "DecemberUnderground" severly lacked in. Saying that this Cd is one of the best they have recorded certainly does not do it justice. Between the beautfully written lyrics, amazing guitar performance on every track by Jade Puget, Down to the simplest thing of the song titles, this shows that once again AFI has greatly exceeded their talent just when we all thought they had reached their peak. This is a for sure must have, i dont see how anyone can pass this one up.
7.Tokio Hotel-Humanoid
Released on October, 6th, 2009. When i think of Tokio Hotel i think totally unique. Even the cd cover screams it which i love by the way. Sad to say this release was much more well taken in places such as Germany(duh lol), Italy, and Portugal among others and in those places the cd went certified gold as well. All the same Tokio Hotel has quite the fan base here in the United States as well though. I love the techno hard rock almost grunge sound to this cd, i feel "Human Connect To Human" and "Dark Side Of The Sun" as well as "World Behind My Wall" portray these atributes the most. I did not find thier 2007 release of "Scream" to be all that good but i mus say, they have very highly redeemed thereselves with "Humanoid".The songs on this cd tend to have a very romantic hier about them and sometimes a touch of heartbroken tenderness very much potrayed in "The Pain Of Love" which could make some think of Tokio Hotel as a pop band emerging somewhat into rock. I myself do not think of this Cd as pop-esque in any way. The guitar riffs and the vary unique vocals and somewhat morbid lyrics turn themselves very well adjusted into many rock genres.
8.Cobra Starship-Hot Mess
Released on August, 11th, 2009. This has to be one of the most easy-going fun cds ive heard in awhile. This Cd makes for great party music or if you are just simply in the music listening mood. Songs off this cd have been featured in t.v. shows commercials and movies, almost making Cobra Starship a household name. Patrick Stump as you know of Fall Out Boy Fame was one of the writers on this cd and Kevin Rudolf took part in the Production. I know there were no Cobra Starship fans dissapointed by this latest release, i particularly liked "Good Girls Go Bad", the album titled song "Hot Mess", and "Living In The Sky With Diamonds". Thier last release "Viva La Cobra" was great dont get me wrong, but by far "Hot Mess" kills it by a long shot!
9.Mute Math-Armistice
Released on August, 18th, 2009. Mute Math over the years has only gotten increasingly better, and "Armistice" is just another exampl of their fast growing level of talent. This album in my eyes is pretty much Lyically perfect also with a very mellow tone and amazingly progressive drums and bass, this is what draws people in to notice how skilled they are in this industry. When the Cd first Debuted it peaked at #18 on the Billboard top 200. The song that drew me in the most and gave me the most life reflection was "Odds" with the chorus conveying that even if something makes you happy and its going to be painful to start over in your life be it a job, relationship, or even a grade in school that you have to do it if youll be better off from it, which is something every one should be able to take the same thing from this song. Even if your not a Mute Math fan, there is something in this cd for everyone, and everyone will get something very valuable out of it.
10.30 Seconds To Mars-This Is War
Released on December, 8th, 2009. This gave 30 Seconds To Mars great comeback status after thier amazing release of "A Beautiful Lie" in 2005. This Cd deffinately has a different sound and feel to it then all the previous albums. The Songs seem to have a more troubled tone to them especially "Hurricane" i felt had the most anger and deep sadness in it. This song also included a collaboration with Kanye West, somthing i really didnt expext to be featured on a 30 Seconds To Mars Cd, but all the same it fits so very well, i have no complaints. Sad to say tho, The United States music charts did not do this justice as it did not debut on any chart since its release, but is doing fairly well in the UK. Jared Leto's voice is so harmonic and easy to listen to, and his song writing skills could never be doubted. I hope This was enjoyed by others as it was by me.
This past week was a lot of fun and went by WAYYY too fast. Ever feel like your life is flashing before your eyes? I keep having this feeling like I am running outa time and I have to get everything done I want to get done before its too late! I guess thats a good way to live though, you only live once right?
On Wednesday I went to the Rave in Milwaukee and met up with the HILARIOUSLY funny boys from Suicide Silence. I had never met them before but I had a BLAST with them and I look forward to hanging out with them again. We did a little interview which was great and I hung out with them til about 1230 and headed home.
I keep having major insomnia and cant fall asleep til 6 or 7 in the morning and its really starting to annoy me. I dont have a problem working all night because that is when I feel most inspired. Unfortunately a good majority of the world isnt on the same schedule as me so I gotta get up and live by their schedule for meetings, phone calls, etc.
On Thursday I went back to the rave to interview two of the guys from Saosin and Eye Alaska. Chris and Beau from Saosin are too funny and talk a lot! Its going to be a great interview and Im looking forward to hearing what all of you think of it :)
This weekend I am finishing up editing ALL of my interviews, yes I am actually going to hunker down and get it done. I only have about 7 more to do so it shouldnt be toooo bad.
Tonight my friend Alaina is walking in a fashion show in Madison so I am going to head out there for that. Should be tons of fun, looking forward to seeing some cute clothes!
Next week I am going to buy a white sweep online and start doing makeup tutorials for DarlaMakeup.com and also for my buzznet features.
What Kind of makeup tips do you want to see?
What bands do you want me to interview?
I am interviewing Every Avenue next week, what questions do you want me to ask them?
So I just joined buzznet and I gotta say im really digging this site. Anywho, I am a Local Allentown Music Writer for examiner.com. I write about all sorts of music mostly in the genres on buzznet. I hope everyone will check it out and subscribe, as it not only applies to allentown, but others can read and discover music or anything. I have written about Saosin's new cd and some local bands. I recently just posted a brief article about never shout never. The link is on my page. Also, everyone should really check out a band by the name of Settle. They are from my area and got signed to epitaph records last year and have a cd out now!
I'm home alone on a friday night, :/ nawt really what I want to do on my friday night.
I was suppose to be with Brianna doing bad things, but One, Dominic won't let me. Two, my dad is being unfairly fair.
let me explain, me and Dominic had this BIG convo about how hes agaist all drugz and alcohol and shiz. and how people invite him tuh parties and tell him to cheat on me coz i will never know. and hes all like, "i dun wana do that coz i dun wana screw things up wiff you" and so im not with brianna for the main reason I dont wana lose him and id feel bad if i lied to him which i culdnt do.
as I always write in this like its my diary. :p I really cant help it ahah, my life is pretty borning. :p
I plan on doing something exciting soon though.
My dad is getting on me about my grades, I'm smart but in the street smart way. the way were im too stuborn to study because I never did before. and I have a D in history, which is my secound favorite academic class. because my teacher is great.
My dad also doesn't trust me, well he doesnt trust aj, "not me" but its whatever, i'm not a dumbass I know he doesnt trust me but i think he should? why ? because all im going to do is prove him wrong. I think I can take care of myself. which I probably cant.
I am probably going to be sick again, speaking of stupid stuff. I couldnt see Dominic this weekend and I dont know whats up with me but Ive been getting really, really sad over nothing. Like I almost cried twice today. well i did cry once. I was so upset i was like iwanasmoke?!!? so i wanted to walk to madres. but then it was getting too dark and i was scared, :p So I walked up to the pond, freezing, raining and i just started runing to each side of the soccer field. I probably ran about a half a mile total. walked a mile. me being a dumbass gahh.
but tomorow on the bright side, im going to Julia's (new fran i made :D) for a DREW BARRYMORE GER CRUSH MOVIE MARATHON yeeeeeeah, ahahha. but it be fun, cheerful what I need. and then we are going to see Whip it :D which has Ellen Page in it if I am correct WHO I LOVE. and Julia and the other kidz are theader kidz (speicality center theader kids) who are SUPER funny c:
Im pretty siked. she lives in midlo. which is by Dominic on the way there Imma feel so gah D: coz everything will remind me of him.
Sunday Im doing nothing. I need to work on my science fair projcet though which I dont want to do. but i have to :C maybe it can help me get my C up to a B in science?! I hope.
My sister was being pretty cool this morning. I put alittle shimmer on her eyes and straighten like alittle bit of her hair, not to much coz i dun wana hurt it. just enough (: so i got her to take a picture with me :D
<3shes pretty adorable.
So nothnig is going on, but I just got the GREATEST IDEA ?!?!?!
about like what Im going to do with this buzznet cept making it my lameass diary :p I could post songs like really good new and upcoming songs? no? ehh your right its pretty lame.
but imma try it.
I've been obessed with these songs lately.
Fire by Augustana Sing Pretty for Baby by Saosin If Only They Knew by A Rocket To The Moon Worlds Away by From First to Last
kay, these are all okayyly known bands? well this kinda fails. well ill try it once.
anybody with feed back? (:
<3 anyways I need to take a shower because my hairs a mess from me walking in the rain and the wind. and my make up too from crying and rain.
So I hope everybody is having a better friday than me.
Much love<3 HannahLaurenAllen//MelvinLolaRodrigues (;
P.S. Im going to try and get more pictures in these, they feel bare D:
Want to win a trip for you and a friend to the PacTour finale in Anaheim, California?! Well here is your chance. PacSun and the PacTour are giving one grand prize winner 2 plane tickets to California, a FREE hotel room, VIP access to the PacTour Finale AND $1,000 PacSun shopping spree!
Two runner-ups will also be picked to win either a $500 PacSun gift card or a gift pack with a signed CD and t-shirt from all of the bands on the tour.
Now the important part...how do you enter to win the prizes?... Well it's simple. To enter the sweepstakes, all you have to do is fill out a quick entry form and you're in. Click here to enter today.
Good luck and we hope to see you all next month on the PacTour. And don't forget, tickets are on sale now, so get yours today. Click here for tour dates and tickets. -Eye Alaska
PacTour dates are finally up and I can't wait to get back out on the road. To kick things off Saosin asked us to play with them at our favorite place in the world, Chain Reaction, on September 12th. From there we will be hitting pretty much everywhere in the continental U.S. and doing a lot of acoustic PacSun in-store performances along the way. Tickets are going on sale soon and they will sell out so please get them in advance. Can't wait to see you all again.
Much Love -brandon
11/06 - Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues 11/07 - Chico, CA @ Senator Theatre 11/08 - San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore 11/10 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre 11/11 - Seattle, WA @ El Corazon 11/13 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Murray Theatre 11/14 - Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre 11/15 - Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont 11/17 - Des Moines @ People's Court 11/18 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave 11/19 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues 11/20 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Orbit Room 11/21 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall 11/22 - Columbus Newport @ Music Hall 11/24 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza 11/25 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero 11/27 - NJ @ Starland Ballroom 11/28 - New Haven, CT @ Toad's Place 11/29 - Pittsburgh, PA@ Altar Bar 12/01 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues 12/02 - State College, PA 12/03 - Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock 12/04 - Washinton, DC @ 9:30 Club 12/05 - Norfolk, VA @ Norva 12/06 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade 12/08 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room 12/09 - Tampa, FL @ State Theatre 12/10 - Orlando, FL @ House of Blues 12/12 - Dallas, TX @ The Door 12/13 - Houston, TX @ Meridian 12/15 - San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit 12/17 - Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre 12/18 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Marquee 12/19 - San Diego, CA @ Soma 12/20 - Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
This past Summer I had the opportunity to sit down with Chris, from SAOSIN on the Vans Warped Tour. We had a chat about tropical skittles, the bands beginnings, and their upcoming Japan adventures. Read on to find out more info on this Southern California quintet, who is steadily taking the rock music scene by storm.
A: How're you doing today?
C: I'm doing great. It's cool down here in beautiful Long Island so I'm stoked.
A: Thank God!
C: Yeahhh.
A: So we're on Warped Tour, How's it been going so far?
C: It's been good. We took quite some time off to record and write our last record so this is kind of like a hard tour to get right back into... Especially after being off tour a year. We're three weeks in and still struggling but it's cool to have a bunch of friends we grew up touring with and listening to on the same tour at the same time.
A: What's your favourite place you've gone to this tour so far?
C: Montreal. It's like a European city within North America. I had a good time.
A: That's definitely a cool spot. For people who don't know your music, describe your sound.
C: Aggressive alternative rock. We keep our structures simple and familiar but there's always a hint...that you don't really know how it sounds different, you just know that it does. I think that's how we build our sound.
A: Tell us about your album, what's it all about.
C: Album comes out on Sept 8th of this year, called In Search of Solid Ground. 13 tracks, 5 of which we produced ourselves. We mixed the entire record ourselves and did the album artwork ourselves. Comes out on Virgin Records in a couple months so we're pretty stoked.
A: What's your favourite track on the record?
C: I dunno, I think A Still Small Voice. We produced it ourselves. Coincidentally when we were working on the song we were listening to older Michael Jackson tracks, where the backup vocals are really loud. It has this weird vibe too it. We tried to incorporate the idea of putting backup vocals way up front with the main vocals buried. MJ passed and that puts your influences way closer to home.
A: What's your favourite food joint to stop at that you can't get in your home town?
C: O0oh, hard one! In any college town there's a Jimmy Johns. It's not that great but there's a sandwich on there I just love.
A: How'd you get together as a band?
C: All of us kind of met in different ways. It's not like we all started the band together. Our guitar players got together in '02, working on music. They sent out tracks, found a singer and shortly after they were supposed to play their first show but ended up cancelling. I was at the show with a band I was in and met Justin out front. He explained who he was and how they cancelled because there bass player quit. So I told him straight up I was there new bass player and that was it. Then Alex came into the picture. We lost our original singer who now sings for circa survive. Our present singer sent us some tracks and it just went from there. Now here we are!
A: What is your favourite skittle flavor and why?
C: Do any taste different?
A: Yeah!
C: Yano, I like the blue skittles in the tropical pack.
A: Hah, good choice. What's coming up for you guys in the future?
C: In about a week and a half we're going to be flying out to Japan to do a fest out there called Summer Sonic. Bands like Paramore and My Chemical Romance are playing. Then we'll probably release the record and tour for the next few years, I'm sure.
A: To end the interview, what would your advice be for fans who are trying to make it in the same business that you are?
C: Learn to do as much as you can yourself, and then hire someone. Cause that's how you really get screwed.
Lol this is kind of a worthless chapter to me. But maybe you'll like it!
___________________________________
I laid back on my bed, so frustrated at myself for talking to Luke till 3 am. I was developing feelings for him, when I didn't even know what was going to happen with Josh and Kristen. I let Luke sleep on my couch, which was another mistake. Now it was tempting. I wanted to kiss him, specially after he held me like that. But, it wasn't even right to think about it. Luke was definetley an amazing friend, but I know he'd be an amazing guy to be with. I was breaking so many rules, so why not break a little one and not get caught? Just one little kiss on his forehead wouldn't hurt.
I walked into the living room and leaned over, making sure he was still asleep, and i put a soft kiss on his forehead. I tiptoed my way back to my bed and plopped down, wishing he would've been awake, and that wish came true. I felt him sit on the edge of my bed and place his hand on my head.
"You're so busted," he said whispering with a laugh.
"Oops, welll I wanted to make sure you were ok!"
"My turn," he said laying next to me as I felt him breathe on my forehead and softly kiss it. I felt warmth run through my body and it felt good. He made me feel safe, and so did Josh, but not like this.
"You better be careful Hayley, don't start wishing I was gone already haha."
I hated when he was self conscious. "Luke, nooo I love that you're hear, so I can help you too." He flipped on the lamp over my bed and looked at me.
"Really?"
"Yes, you just got cheated on and I know it hurts because you loved her."
"Well, I..." His sentence was interupted by the slam of my front door. He ran into the living room, very sudden. "Josh, get out of here!"
I got up and walked in seeing Josh's fist fly right into Luke's jaw. I then slammed into Josh and pushed him out of the open door. "Damnit Josh, you know better than this! Don't come back into you grow up," I said walking back in and locking the door behind me. I paniced and ran to Luke who was icing his already bruised jaw. "Oh gosh Luke are you ok?"
"Yeah, it's fine. He's just an ass sometimes. Ahh this stings!"
"Let me see," I gently took his hand from the icepack and looked at the bruise. I felt the biggest urge to kiss his injury, but I held back.
"Maybe we should go to the hospital, I may want to get this one xrayed."
"Yeah, you're right. I'll drive." I was sad because I didn't want him to leave my house, but I didn't want him to be hurt.
We walked to my car and once I started in, Collapse started playing by Saosin. Then, an amazing thing happened. Luke began singing a perfect tone to the song.
"Whoa you can sing?"
"You didn't know haha," he asked smiling at me.
"No, I've never heard you! Let's jam dude!" We began singing together. And then I knew, I wanted to do the band, more than ever.
The doctor gave him pain meds and set us on our way, no broken bones. I drove back to my house, hoping he'd stay a little longer even though the sun had risen.
"Do you want to stay for awhile," I asked him in the car, trying to hide my hope.
"Of course, we still got work to do!"
I jumped up and down as he laughed at me and then I said, "Um maybe we should get some sleep first."
"Race you for the bed!"
We ran into the house, neck and neck as we slid across the wood floor to the door of my room. Then we flew onto my bed, landing exactly at the same time and right next to each other. We both laughed and curled up looking at each other. He then took his fingers and brushed my hair off the side of my face, which made me uneasy. His eyes shifted down my face, and then I knew he was gonna kiss me. I couldn't let myself fight back, I scooted forward, up against him. Our lips were inches from touching as he ran his hand down my neck, making me shiver, but not from the cold, from the insane fire burning inside of me. I wanted him. He kissed me, softly but with passion leaking out of him into me.
"Hayley!" I jumped and shot a look to my doorway. It was Kristen.
