Album Review: Thrice- Palms

thrice-palms.jpg

Thrice has never been a band to repeat what they did on their last album. They’ve always pushed forward and tried new things. Sometimes those experiments worked (Vheissu) and others not so much (Beggars). Now on their tenth studio album, Thrice have returned with Palms, a record that picks up where To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere left off. Palms is chock full of those signature Thrice moments from the riffs, lyrics, melodies and rhythms that makes Thrice a special band.

There is no doubt that when Thrice writes a “heavy” song, you know that it’s going to be a favorite. Rather than go all out heavy on the first track, “Only Us” starts it off with a very subtle mid tempo track that is heavy but full of melody. Then on track two with “The Grey,” they step it up a bit more to really push the album further. “The Dark” then takes it back to the melodic with it’s dark brooding body. Dustin Kensrue, really shines on this song. “Just Breathe” which features guest vocals from Emma Ruth Rundle, is another stellar track that shows a bit of a different side of the band. As the album continues on with songs like “Everything Belongs” and “My Soul,” Thrice explores a bit of their ballad side, then they bring it back up tempo with the distortion heavy “Hold Up A Light.” Closing out the album is “Beyond The Pines” a very stark and haunting track that continues on the bands experimental path but doesn’t stray from the overall sense of the album.
Overall, Palms is very much a Thrice album. They aren’t trying to sound like anyone else but themselves. The experimentation works for these songs. Since the band returned with To Be Everywhere, you get the sense that Dustin, Teppei, Ed, and Riley are feeling inspired again and have something more to say. The playing and performances on this album are top notch and hark back to their early days, when making music was fun and full of life. The only complaint I have about Palms, is that the mix on this album is pretty weak. Often times, the drums are buried, the bass just becomes a rumble, the crisp/bright guitars are often lost amongst the distortion, and the vocals at times seem to be too compressed. But if you look past these things, Palms is a very enjoyable and full album. Thrice have really pushed themselves to not repeat the past and on Palms, they achieve that and show their collective maturity.

Overall Rating 8.5/10

 

Thrice- Palms:

Video Rank: Korn

korn_logo_black-svg

Korn is one of the most recognizable bands of the last 25 years. Not only are they cemented in the rock n roll history folklore but they continue to be one of the most consistent and hard working bands out there. One thing they were always keen on was putting out quality music videos. So here are Korn’s top ten videos.

 

10) Clown:

 

09) A.D.I.D.A.S.:

 

08) Got The Life:

 

07) Black Is The Soul:

 

06) Here To Stay:

 

05) Rotting In Vain:

 

04) Falling Away From Me:

 

03) Blind:

 

02) Make Me Bad:

 

01) Freak On A Leash:

 

 

Band Of The Week: Super Thief

21200895_1285367024907695_8438898127667469503_o.jpg

When bands explore different genres and sub-genres the end result can be hit or miss. For those that it works for, the music created and the “art” of it has its way of standing out. I recently came across a band hailing from Texas called Super Thief that has been pushing the boundaries of the “noise rock” sub-genre. While exploring the influence and inspiration of bands like Sonic Youth, Shellac, and The Jesus Lizard, Super Thief as taken what they’ve learned and combined a bit of a punk tinge to make some pretty rockin tunes. Their new EP Eating Alone In My Car, is rocking chaos full of noise, grooves and riffs and rhythms that get you up and moving. Check out Super Thief. They’ve got something going on that is quite fun to listen to and full of a slew of energy.

 

Super Thief- Eating In My Car Alone:

 

Super Thief- Stuck:

Anticipated Albums: Architects- Holy Hell

mail.jpg

One of the UK’s best bands, Architects, are gearing up to release a new album entitled Holy Hell, out November 9th via Epitaph Records. Holy Hell is the bands first album without their founding guitarist and principal songwriter, Tom Searle. The album’s first single, Hereafter, is a crushingly melodic track, that shows the versatility of what Architects can do. Speaking about what the album is about drummer Dan Searle said “Holy Hell is about pain: the way we process it, cope with it, and live with it. There is value in pain. It’s where we learn, it’s where we grow.” Based on that, Holy Hell, looks to be one hell of a deep and dark album.

Pre-orders for Holy Hell can be found HERE.

 

Architects- Hereafter:

 

 

Architects- Royal Beggars:

 

Classic Soundtracks: Private Parts

51-Y6Dky1NL.jpg

The year is 1997 and the auto-biographical film Private Parts about Howard Stern is drawing in audiences. While the film went on to be a success, there was another element of the whole thing that often gets overlooked and that is the soundtrack.

(more…)

New Release: Thrice- The Dark

thrice-pre-order-meta

Thrice’s new album Palms comes out this Friday (September 14 via Epitaph Records). They’ve already premiered 2 stellar songs from the album, “The Grey” and “Only Us.” Now, they’ve unleashed “The Dark” on us all. This song has an interesting history. Thrice asked fans to be a part of the song by sending in audio and video of them singing a specific part, and they would be included in the final version of the track. This song definitely has a “vibe” to it that’s very Thrice.

 

Thrice- The Dark:

 

Thrice- The Grey:

 

Thrice- Only Us:

Anticipated Albums: The Black Queen- Infinite Games

a3422121058_10.jpg

The Black Queen is one hell of a great band. Their debut album Fever Daydream is tremendous. That record has yet to leave my rotation. That shows you how good it is. Now on their second album, Infinite Games, The Black Queen, which is made up of Greg Puciato, Josh Eustis, and Steve Alexander, continue their sonic onslaught of lush synths, ambience and new wave. The first song released “Thrown Into The Dark” is seething with a sensual yet dark vibe. None the less, The Black Queen are going to leave a lasting impact with this new album.

The Black Queen- Thrown Into The Dark:

 

The Black Queen- Fever Daydream:

Band Of The Week: The Pink Slips

32247387_843574252506434_2822593476900683776_o.png

Ever since I saw them open for Alice In Chains, I can’t stop listening to The Pink Slips. Their show was impactful and full of great rock n roll energy and it left me wanting more. The Pink Slips have defined their sound as a fusion of synth-pop, punk, dance, and vintage rock n roll. I’d say that’s a pretty spot on description. Fronted by the very dynamic and forceful Grace McKagan (aka Grave), along with Desi Scaglione (Guitar), Keenan Bevans (Drums), Charlie Anastasis (Bass), and Trent Peltz (Keys/Backing Vox), this five piece is fast becoming a band that is decimating stages and audiences.

The bands debut EP entitled Trigger, is a welcome addition to the rock world. These songs have lush choruses and riffs and rhythms that make you want to get up and move. Because the bands influences stretch from the likes of Iggy and The Stooges and David Bowie to Bikini Kill and Blondie, it’s no surprise to hear them embrace their “pop” side, yet they do it without losing their “edge.” When you hear a songs like “Danger,” “Gimme,” and “Hello Heaven” you can really hear both sides of the above.

As I mentioned when I saw them live, I was totally taken aback. Their live show is tight and full of energy. So much energy that The Pink Slips will have you in a frenzy when their set ends. It’s a refreshing thing in today’s music climate to have a band like The Pink Slips out there brining that ferocious rock energy back to the youth. The future is bright for this band, and I can’t wait to see what’s to come.

 

The Pink Slips- Trigger EP:

 

The Pink Slips- Trigger (Video):

 

The Pink Slips- I’m Ready:

 

The Pink Slips- Animal:

 

 

By: Brian Lacy

Album Review: Clutch- Book Of Bad Decisions

40940582_10156565053158638_779531616421675008_n.jpg

Consistency is one of the biggest things about the longevity of an artists career. There is one band in particular that have not only carved out their own path but, have also been one of the most consistent rock bands over the last 20 or so years. That band is Clutch, and just like their name, when it comes to putting out a new album, they always make it count. Their new album, Book of Bad Decisions, continues along that path. This album stands up with other classics in their catalog like their self titled, Blast Tyrant, Pure Rock Fury, Robot Hive/Exodus and Earth Rocker.
Book of Bad Decisions is a real rock album through and through. There is all the elements you’ve grown to love about Clutch over the years like, the stoner rock, bluesy side, psychedelic tinges, metallic parts, and a slew of crunchy riffs and rhythms. One thing about each Clutch album that makes them all unique is the bands ability to explore different tones and styles without it taking over and changing their blueprint. Songs like ” Gimme The Keys,” “Spirit of 76,” “How To Shake Hands,” “In Walks Barbarella,” “Sonic Counselor,” “Ghoul Wrangler,” “Paper and Strife,” are classic Clutch, doing their style to perfection. Other songs like “Vision Quest,” “Emily Dickinson,” “Hot Bottom Feeder,” “H.B. Is In Control,” and “Lorelei,” are great examples of Clutch exploring different avenues but not straying too far that they can’t have it connect back to their sound.
A couple other things about Book of Bad Decisions that are worth noting is how vocalist Neil Fallon’s lyrics resonate. It’s almost as though he’s a new generational beat poet like Allen Ginsberg was in his time. Neil’s lyrics not only paint a picture but the realism in them provide the listener with picturesque vibe while listening. The other thing is the bands choice of producer. Working with Vance Powell (Red Fang, Jack White, Arctic Monkeys) is a very intriguing choice but not surprising given Vance’s love of using vintage equipment. Before working with Vance, Clutch spent time on touring and testing out these songs on audiences. This gave the songs a different life and they sound crisp and raw.
If you’ve never heard Clutch before and Book of Bad Decisions is your first foray into the band, this is one hell of a great place to start. This has all the elements of the band and it’s done in such a way that captures the real essence of a band. Almost 30 years into their career, Clutch show no signs of slowing down or calling it a day. They still seem inspired and with an album like this, there is no stopping them.
Overall Rating: A

 

Gimme The Keys:

 

How To Shake Hands:

 

In Walks Barbarella:

 

Hot Bottom Feeder:

 

 

Soundtrack Only Songs: The Smashing Pumpkins- Drown

singles-soundtrack.png

The year is 1992 and the Seattle music scene is exploding. Director Cameron Crowe has made a film that tries to encapsulate that era of Seattle with his film Singles. While the film is a bit hit and miss, there is one thing about the film that stands out, it’s soundtrack.

We all know about the inclusion of Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and Chris Cornell. There is one song in particular on the soundtrack that has always stood out to me. That song is “Drown” by The Smashing Pumpkins. The song debuted during the tour for their debut album and was written not long after that record was released. “Drown” became a moderate radio hit in mid-1992 and gave the band significant exposure just before work commenced on their follow up album Siamese Dream. It’s worth noting that the song was also released on the band’s official greatest hits compilation album Rotten Apples but, only the abridged version was included. “Drown” was considered for the Pisces Iscariot album but William Patrick Corgan decided to not include it. The other night, when I saw the Pumpkins live, I finally got to hear this masterful song in its entirety and it left me in awe.

 

The Smashing Pumpkins- Drown: