Paramore

       The punk-pop band, Paramore just released their self titled album on April 9th. Despite guitarist and drummer,  Zac and Josh Farro's resignation, critics are saying the band is staying strong and playing better than ever before. They show musical growth in their most varied album yet. I'm personally not a huge fan, there's only a handful of their songs I like. Now, is the one song that really stands out to me on their self-titled album.

The Release of Damage

Jimmy Eat World has finally finished recording their new album, Damage. It will be released June 11th on RCA Records. So far, I've only been able to find a hand full of songs from Damage on youtube.
Among the ones I found, I thought You Were Good and I Will Steal You Back (below), were the best.

Hammer and Tool

          

So, lately I’ve been listening to the 90’s underground metal band, Tool. I first learned about Tool through vocalist’s, Maynard James Keenan’s side project Puscifer. A great band that reflects a similar style to Tool. Originally, I had no interest in the band.  My first thought was that while the instrumentation was good, vocalist’s, Maynard’s voice was rather static in some songs. However, a friend of my showed me some awesome songs and I’ve been exploring the band’s

discography since.

I still stick to my original opinion about the band. Some songs are just too long, but they have grown on me. My favorite song so far is Eulogy. Aenima, Lateralus, Schism and Vicarious are also great songs.

Their EP Opiate will be reissued March 26 for its 21st anniversary. Unfortunately, there won’t be any bonus tracks on the reissue but there will be new artwork. Even better, guitarist, Adam Jones admitted in a Revolver Magazine interview that the band is currently writing new music. There is no inside on when the album will be released just that the writing process has been slow.

Jimmy Eat World! ARGH!

The great band of Jimmy Eat World has been working on a new album. They have named, mastered and sequenced the album but have not set a release date. They are aiming to release it the first half of this year. Hopefully this new album will be more “upbeat” than their last, Invented. Not that it wasn’t a good album. Just that after listening to their single, My Best Theory, I was expecting more tracks like it. They still did a great job writing meaningful lyrics and great instrumentation. I would give Invented four out-of five stars.

Nine Inch Nails Are Back

 


I haven’t listened to enough Nine Inch Nails songs to say that I’m a big fan. But I do like the few songs I’ve heard. Abbreviated as NIN, Nine Inch Nails is a one member “band”. Trent Reznor is the singer, producer, instrumentalist and songwriter. Of course, always accompanied by a band on stage. Mixing electronic beats influenced by industrial music with rock.
Reznor revealed to Pitchfork that NIN will be back on stage this year. Summer and tour dates have been set for this year, following into 2014. Head over to http://pitchfork.com/news/49681-trent-reznor-announces-the-return-of-nine-inch-nails-extensive-touring-for-2013-and-2014/ , to read Reznor’s statement. Eric Avery of Jane’s addiction, Josh Eustis from Telefon Tel Aviv, and Adrian Belew of King Crimson will be performing with Reznor. Along with, Alessandro Cortini and Ilan Rubin.  

Rodrigo Y Gabriela

                                                           
Photo from New City Magazine
          

I’m excited to announce the amazing guitar duo, Rodrigo Y Gabriela will be performing with the Colorado Symphony, this summer, at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. They currently only have two other tour dates set, so I feel lucky to live close by. I first discovered Rodrigo Y Gabriela about a year ago. I was immediately amazed by their guitar skills. For those of you who don’t know who they are, they write songs of various styles such as, flamenco and metal. I remember getting goosebumps from the first time I listened to their song, Hanuman. It remains my favorite song composed by them. Along with Diablo Rojo. Gabriela’s style of drumming on a guitar and Rodrigo’s fast fingers are hypnotic.

The following link is to their website, where they have a list of links to many reviews of them from different countries. http://www.rodgab.com/press_reviews.html

This is just one of the reviews they received from the Hypursuit Inc. blog. http://www.hypursuit.com/1111-rodrigo-y-gabriela/

        Once again, this isn't the most recent news, but I had to post about one of my favorite bands; Sum 41. Four years after the release of, Underclass Hero, Sum 41 released, Screaming Bloody Murder. In this album they go back to a heavier style, with the exceptions of a few songs that sound more like their typical pop punk style. 

       Songs that really stood out for me were: Reason to Believe, Screaming Bloody Murder, Time For You to Go, and Back Where I Belong. Some songs such as, Blood In My Eyes, are just too long and only sound good in certain parts. Overall, I thought they did a great job. I give this album four out of five stars. 

   Here's a headbanging link to their title track, Screaming Bloody Murder. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHhHcfbJF7I