Album Review

Album Review: Marilyn Manson- The Pale Emperor

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There comes a time in every artists career when the inspiration well dries up and it seems like they are just going through the motions because they have to. Then something happens that reinvigorates and inspires said artist. This just happened with Marilyn Manson. Manson’s new album The Pale Emperor, is his best album since Mechanical Animals. Instead of working with his usual writing partner Twiggy Ramirez, Tyler Bates was brought in. You might know Tyler Bates’s work from Guardians Of The Galaxy and Californication. Their collaboration brought out a whole new side of Manson that is drenched in post-punk swagger and his signature haunting melodies. I’ll be honest, I wrote Marilyn Manson off a long time ago after a stunt he pulled at one of his shows years ago, but when I first heard the song “Third Day Of A Seven Day Binge,” I was totally taken aback and very curious as to what this new album would sound like. I’m really happy with what I heard. This album is honest and real. Songs like “Killing Strangers,” “Cupid Carries A Gun,” and “Deep Six” all pack quite a punch that really delivers. Marilyn Manson seems to be on the right track again after a long detour. In a strange way this album is more than just a reinvention, it’s actually an album about a guy who behind all the makeup and persona, really has something to say.

On the scale of 1-10: 9

Marilyn Manson- The Pale Emperor:

 

By: Brian Lacy

Album Review: Foo Fighters- Sonic Highways

 

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When a band reaches a certain point in their career it’s hard to keep things fresh and inspired. For the bands eighth album the gents in the Foo Fighters tried something different. While the idea is a great one, the final product falls a bit flat. The idea of recording a song in a different city is a great idea. Lyrically it just falls flat. The songs feel rushed and incomplete. It’s as though the thoughts were unfinished. The show on HBO is quite interesting and full of a rich musical history. In my opinion the show is way better than the album. The albums eight songs are very hit and miss. The best song I heard on the album is a song called “Outside” which features the great Joe Walsh. This is the best song on the album hands down. This album is very disjointed and not an “album.”  It’s a collection of single songs, that have no cohesiveness. Also the use of Butch Vig as a producer I think was the wrong choice. His input and methods just don’t work for what the band was trying to do, Nick Raskulinecz would have been the perfect choice. The first song “Something From Nothing” is a good track but nothing special. The whole record is nothing special. In fact I’d probably put this album towards the bottom of the list of ranking their albums. I truly thought that after how good Wasting Light was they would continue on a path similar to how that album turned out. Nice try on this one Foos.

On the scale of 1-10: I give this a 4

By: Brian Lacy

Album Review: Black Map- …And We Explode

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I’ve talked a lot about Black Map. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing them live a handful of times, and even interviewed them. So it comes with great pride that I review their debut album …And We Explode. This album is full of heavy riffs, pounding drums, pulsating bass, and vocals that soar above the rest of their peers. The use of melody and structures really plays a big hand in making this a great album. It’s really not every day that you can put on an album from start to finish and truly grasp each note, and word. Ben Flanagan’s crystal clear melodic voice really takes the songs to another level while Mark Engles guitar breaks through with sonic heaviness, not to mention the fiery drum performances from Chris Robyn. My favorite songs from the album so far are “Chinasaki,” “I’m Just The Driver,” “And We Explode (part 1).” “Melee,” “Gemini,” “Ropes,” Black Map are the perfect band to help usher back rock music to the masses. I can’t wait to see where they go next. This album is worth a purchase as is a ticket to their shows. So do yourself a favor and check it out!

Scale of 1-10: 9

Black Map- …And We Explode

http://www.blackmapmusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/blackmapmusic

By: Brian Lacy

Album Review: Bush- Man On The Run

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It’s never easy to recreate the magic of a first album. You have your entire life to write your first record. After that what’s left? Some bands are able to carry on and continuously put out solid albums, some better than others. Then there are those that lost a step or two and struggled to get it back. This year is the 20th anniversary of the album Sixteen Stone by Bush. This is also the year of their newest album Man On The Run. While this album isn’t classic like Sixteen Stone is, Man On The Run is the best thing they have put out and done since Razorblade Suitcase. The writing is back to basics for Gavin Rossdale. His lyrics are mature and full of prowess. There is a bit of a sensual vibe to the way the words come out. musically its a far more cohesive album, that spans all genres of rock. One of the best tracks on the album “The Gift,” is a perfect example of this. The lead single “The Only Way Out,” is a prime example of Gavin grown up. The title track is a cool song with bits of swagger that almost sets the tone for how the album sounds. And for those that miss the rock check out “Loneliness Is A Killer.” The entire album is a gem. If you are a fan of Bush from way back, this is going to get you back into the band.

On The Scale of 1-10= 8.8

Bush- Man On The Run:

 

By: Brian Lacy

Album Review: Slipknot- .5 The Gray Chapter

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Sometimes it takes a death to put thing into perspective. It’s never easy to deal with, especially when it’s someone very close. When it was announced that Slipknot were in the studio recording a new album, it was met with great skepticism. Joey Jordison was booted from the band under still unknown circumstances. So what would it sound like? Early reports from the band equated it to a mix between Iowa and Volume 3. Personally I think it is more mix of the first album and Volume 3. There are plenty of tributes to the late Paul Gray on the album. “Skeptic” really shows this especially with lyrics like “the world will never see another crazy motherfucker like you/the world will never know another man as amazing as you,” this seems like touching ode to their fallen brother. Lead single “The Devil In I,” is full of melody and introspective lyrics. The entire album is full of lyrics that examine loss, selfishness, pain, and anger. There’s also the sullen ballad of “Goodbye.” “Killpop” on the other hand is a leap into uncharted territory.This song finds the band stepping outside their skin to focus a new wave/electro pop attempt. The course soon heads toward more traditional fare, thumping percussion and bristling riffs. There is the occasional classic rapid-fire vocal delivery of Corey Taylor and the sonic throwbacks featured in a track like “Custer.” This seems destined to be a live favorite due its anthemic usage of “cut me up” and “fuck me up.”

It’s not an album without faults. There are some inconsistent tracks. The band still has their predilection for melodic pursuits. But this is easily the groups most consistent album from start to finish. This is a welcome return to form for one of modern metal’s most revered (and despised) acts. One thing also that is a step in the right direction was the inclusion of Greg Fidelman to handle the production on the album and Joe Baressi to mix it, These two have brought the best of what Slipknot has to offer in 2014.

On the scale of 1-10= 8.5

By: Brian Lacy

Album Review: Aeges- Above & Down Below

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Big hooks, thick riffs, and thumping rhythms all encompass the new album Above and Down Below by Los Angeles’s Aeges. Singer/Guitarist Kemble Walters lyrics are dark yet full of optimism. His voice compliments each chord and rhythm and at times is reminiscent of Steve Brodsky of Cave In. Both Walters and Corey Clarks guitar work on this album supersede their previous effort. The tone is clean yet with enough distortion to drive home the riffs. The bass of Tony Baumeister sits perfectly in the pocket while drummer Mike Land keeps it all going with his steady rhythms. This new album is 12 tracks of nothing but solid rock n roll. No filler! It has the right amount of influence from genres such as alternative, metal, post hardcore. The hooks aren’t cheesy, rather they are melodic with an aggression that allows the band to balance the heavy with the subtle nature of the songs.

I’ve listened to this album quite a few times and my favorite tracks so far are “Echoes,” “Parasite,” “Fault,” “Halos,” and “Wasted Time.” On the scale of 1-10 I would give this album a 9. It’s great and so is this band. They are on top of their game and it shows. In a time when there is a bunch of stale music out there Aeges is a breath of fresh air. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Above and Down Below. You won’t be disappointed. And Aeges are about to start a month long residency on Monday nights at the Silverlake Lounge in October!

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/aegesband

 

By: Brian Lacy

Album Review: And We Are Them- City Of Ghosts

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It’s always a refreshing moment in any bands life when inspiration strikes and the end result is something to really be proud of. And We Are Them’s inspiration bug seemed to have hit them hard again and have just unleashed their newest EP City Of Ghosts. Continuing where their most recent release Align left off, City Of Ghosts takes a heavier approach to the music and lyrical content. Kicking off the EP is “So It Goes” which right out of the gate opens with a vocal urgency, then explodes with a heavy yet melodic sensibility. Next up is the very socially aware “Socialite.” This song shows off the melodic tinges of the band. The guitars from Nick Bradford and Chris Matalone really shine on this song as does the drums from Brian Hollenbeck and the slick bass from Jeff Chasin. “Next To Nothing” is bombastic and heavy. The amount of heavy that come with this song is constant. Vocally you can feel the emotion in the screams from Chris Matalone. “While You Sleep” closes out City Of Ghosts. This song is a bit of a departure but in a good way. It shows the growth of songwriting of the guys in the band. City Of Ghosts is the perfect direction for And We Are Them to go in. It’s well balanced between their influences and ability to captivate the listener. These songs are going to be beasts live. Speaking of live, September 19th at Velvet Jones (in Santa Barbara) And We Are Them are special guests of the reunited Abloom.

Pick up a copy via:

iTunes

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/city-of-ghosts-ep/id906051446

Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/music/album/And_We_Are_Them_City_of_Ghosts?id=B5tdm4nje3sbprnhipszjtfh66i

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MK3DIS6/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp?ie=UTF8&qid=1410279232&sr=8-3

 

https://www.facebook.com/AndWeAreThem

 

By: Brian Lacy

Album Review: Royal Blood- Royal Blood

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Earlier this year when I heard Royal Blood, I was taken aback. To me there was something about their music that had been missing in rock music. When people asked me what they sounded like I would say, imagine if The Black Keys didn’t suck and Muse didn’t start to whimp out. After seeing them live my description lived up to my words. Now in August, Royal Blood is unleashing their debut full length. Simply self titled, the 10 songs blaze a path in the 32 minutes of the album. Three of the songs (Out Of The Black, Come On Over and Little Monster) are from their Out OF The Black EP. The other 7 songs are a mix of heavy rock with lots of melody, and the occasional experimentation with blues, and mid tempo beats. The first single “Figure It Out” is a pure groove rock song. Closing song “Better Strangers” features a really cool bluesy feel with a slow laid back beat.  My favorite of the new songs is “Blood Hands.” This song is the perfect blend of heavy and subtle. It really shows their ability to craft a well written song. Mike Kerr (Vocals/Bass) and Ben Thatcher (Drums) have created a sound that is blistering with melody and heaviness all the while providing a great groove and feel for the listener. Royal Blood is primed to invade with great rock n roll. 

http://royalbloodband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RoyalBloodUK

 

By: Brian Lacy

Album Review: Seether- Isolate and Medicate

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Now 5 albums into their career, Seether has returned with their newest album Isolate and Medicate. This album due to legendary producer Brendan O’Brian (Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Mastodon, etc), comes across as tight and focused, with every layer of instrumentation serving a purpose. Frontman Shaun Morgan says “The whole record is a collection of diary entries. It’s just where I’m at and what I’m going through. I’m writing songs about getting through whatever situations I’m in at the time. These songs deal with relationships and life situations.”

With that being said, this album is full of Seether’s signature tales of woe and despair mixed with “grungy” riffs. Opener “See You At The Bottom” begins with tuned down bass and guitar lines before exploding with Morgan’s trademark soulful growl. “Same Damn Life,” is one of the most accessible and catchy songs of Seether’s career. The high pitch vocals are a very weak point of the song. First single “Words as Weapons” is a fairly standard Seether song, a distortion driven chorus with some added spine tingling vocal harmonies. There are a couple songs that have a bluesier side to them “My Disaster” and the stellar “Nobody Praying for Me.” “Suffer It All” is heavy,and full of chunky riffs. “Keep the Dogs at Bay” is a driving heavy melodic track. And “Watch Me Drown” is a solidly written song, but nothing special. “Crash” is a solemn ballad, with purposely layered guitar lines and some more great vocal takes. This song is one of the most powerful songs the band has written in years.

Isolate and Medicate is a strong release from one of the most consistent rock bands. This album is also indicative of Shaun Morgan being a really good songwriter. Seether has never been a band to reinvent the wheel when it comes to this style of music. There are a lot of people that have written this band off as a radio rock band and just nothing, but there is really something more to this band than any others in their realm. This album isn’t as good as their first 2 albums, but it does have a way to really connect. On the scale of 1-10, I’d give this a solid 7.

 

 

By: Brian Lacy

 

Album Review: Every Time I Die- From Parts Unknown

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After countless years on the road and upping their game on every album, Every Time I Die seemed to have found the perfect balance of all that worked for them in the past. Teaming up with producer Kurt Ballou of Converge, From Parts Unknown is an unrelenting and cohesive album. All the things that make this band enjoyable is found throughout this album. The production is still raw but has a new approach to make certain instruments more prevalent in the songs and the vocals more coherent. Their previous album Ex Lives with producer Joe Barresi started the band on this track. Clocking in at 31 minutes, the 12 songs are full of introspective lyrics and memorable thrash/hardcore, some of the time adding a solid groove or a melodic tinge.

First track “The Great Secret” has all the above mentioned and then some. This song really kicks things off with a bang. “Decayin With The Boys” is classic Every Time I Die with bits of melody. “If There Is Room To Move, Things Move” is ferocious in its thrashy hardcore roots. “Thirst” is an aggressive heavy song with awesome breakdowns and a real attitude. “The Great Secret” has a Converge vibe to it along with a really heavy groove. “El Dorado” shifts gears a bit and is more of a melodic rock song with a 90’s guitar sound. “Overstayer” is the weakest track on the album. There really isn’t anything that is great about this song. “Moor” is a real departure for the band. Starting with a piano intro that melds very well with Keith Buckley’s clean vocals really showcases the band’s songwriting and ability to be diverse. This song is a real stand out. “Exomotorium” is a solid groove/hardcore song. “Pelican Of The Desert” is heavy and full of energy. It also features a guest vocal cameo from Sean Ingram of Coalesce. “All Structures Are Unstable” is a solidly good melodic hardcore song. Closing out the album is “Old Light” featuring Brian Fallon from The Gaslight Anthem. This song has the cleanest vocals on any Every Time I Die song ever. Musically it goes from a rock song to classic ETID.

All in all From Parts Unknown is dynamic and full of greatness. With the exception of one song, it is a stellar album. Every Time I Die has a knack for putting out solid material and this is no different. I would even dare to say that this album is a statement to all those that try to do what they do but always fall short. On the scale of 1-10, I’d give this an 8.5.

 

 

By: Brian Lacy