Set to release It’s Great to Be Alive on February 17, 2009 Fake Problems are a four piece eclectic, operatic, independent band of nomads that originate from Naples, FL. They will periodically return home to write new songs, sleep, fix their van and say hello to their friends. The rest of their time is spent on the road bringing their… Read more »
Label: Sony Legacy Released: September 16, 2008 (originally released in 1959) “Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.” – Charles Mingus These aren’t just words from Charles Mingus. He didn’t always manage to make things simple, but one of the many amazing things about Mingus Ah Um is that he took this incredibly… Read more »
Label: Epic/Legacy Released: November 11, 2008 I always had a tough time understanding why Cheap Trick was so popular. Sure, “Surrender” is among rock’s greatest songs and they had their share of other decent tunes, but why would they stand out like they did? The answer I was told is contained in their live show and this 30th Anniversary Edition… Read more »
Bruce Springsteen’s new album “Working on a Dream” has been set for a January 27 release on Columbia Records. “Working on a Dream” was recorded with the E Street Band and features twelve new Springsteen compositions plus two bonus tracks. It is the fourth collaboration between Springsteen and Brendan O’Brien, who produced and mixed the album. “Working on a Dream”… Read more »
Label: Reprise Records Released: September 16, 2008 A few years back, a friend and I made our list of the top 20 rock guitarists. At the time, I thought it was as close to perfect as such a list could be. It was however, deeply flawed and Gift of Screws reminds me why: Lindsey Buckingham wasn’t on it. I’m not… Read more »
Label: Velvet Ear Records Released: September 16, 2008 I saw Punchline a couple years ago and they really stood out. Maybe it was just that they were on a bill full of horribly sappy emo or maybe they were just better live than in the studio, but their albums never lived up to that show. Until now. Just Say Yes… Read more »
Label: Vendlus Records Released: November 11, 2008 Symphonic metal seemed like a good idea, but every time someone gives it a try, we either get Metallica’s S&M, where classical is merely superimposed onto metal, or Dragonforce, where we get all the soul (or lack thereof rather) of classical dummied down for the average rock fan. It should work, but it… Read more »
Label: Red Leader Released: September 9, 2008 So, what do you expect from a band called Scream Hello? I mean if it was Say Hello or Scream I Hate You, it’d be easy to form some preconception, but Scream Hello? Who knows. As it turns out, the name fits the band perfectly. There’s plenty of screaming to be sure, but… Read more »
MP3s:Hush Your MouthHeartbreakerLet’s Ride
Label: self-released Released: January 13, 2009 Copper Sails seems like one of those bands that could be poised for the big time. I mean, this thing they’re doing worked for Coldplay, didn’t it? Hiding Place is carefully thought out, constructed and performed. They steal form all the right indie and alt bands on both sides of the Atlantic. The melodies… Read more »