1980s

New Beer Blog Great Lakes Brewery Alberta Clipper Porter

image

In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Great Lakes Brewery.  It is Alberta Clipper Porter.  I just realize that I have not blogged about their seasonals and special releases.  I am going to be blogging about their everyday beers here soon.  if you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know they history of this Midwest craft brewery.  If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Ohio base craft brewery.  Let us get into this brew.

It has a jet black color with a constant tan or a light brown color head. The aroma has a heavy raspberries notes. The taste has a smooth chocolate to light raspberry notes with a nice chocolate aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable even though it is almost 8%.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Bid farewell to winter’s cruel tyranny with the creamy, bittersweet dark chocolate flavors and fresh raspberry tartness of Alberta Clipper Porter.  Named for the intense winter storms that sweep the Midwest and Great Lakes Regions, making us all a little tougher (and a lot colder), Alberta Clipper is the perfect treat to celebrate the return of wintry winds goodbye . . . at least for a little while.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.greatlakesbrewing.com

Twitter:  @GLBC_cleveland

In the end, I love their special release and seasonal beers from Great Lakes Brewery.  If anyone in craft beer world to make a special porter, let it be Great Lakes Brewery.  The raspberry is not over powering in this beer.  It is heavy in the aroma.  There is a nice balance and it is really smooth brew.  I like it. I will get more.  I cannot wait to see the new labels next season.  This is the last seasonal and limited release to have their old labels.  You will start to see new labels from Great Lakes Brewery.  Of course, the liquid will stay the same. I highly recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Unknown Music Thursday Hell’s Addiction Raise Your Glass

In this Unknown Music Thursday blog, we are going to get into and upcoming band called Hell’s Addiction.  They just released their first record this year which is called “Raise Your Glass.”  There is not too much history or information from this young band.  Here is some information I found off their website.

Here is their bio from their website (www.hellsaddiction.com):

Hell’s Addiction deliver classic no-bullshit Rock and Roll in a style that draws comparison with the likes of AC/DC, Guns ‘n Roses, Skid Row and Mötley Crüe.

The band came together in 2010 in Leicester, born of a mutual passion for the hard-hitting rock of the great 70s and 80s bands. Before long they were supporting bands such as Heaven’s Basement, Voodoo Six, Fury UK, The Heavy Metal Kids and Zodiac Mindwarp around the country.

Over the following months the band wrote and recorded their debut album Raise Your Glass. With crowd-pleasers like Let The Good Times Roll, Feels like Rock ‘n Roll and the debut single Alcohol you’re left under no illusion as to where the band’s passions lie.

Now in 2013, the band have unleashed the album and will be bringing the rock to a venue near you soon.

I wrote a review on their single, which is “Alochol” in one of my earlier blog posts.  We will review that song and the rest of their songs in this post.  Let us get into the music.

Track List:

Feel The Fire

I love the guitar playing at the beginning.  The drumming and bass playing are simple but solid for the backbone for this band.  The singing is really solid with some really good lyrics.  His singing brings back the metal singers of late 1970’s and 1980’s.  There is a nice guitar break that turns into a pretty good guitar solo towards the end of the song.  The music on this song reminds me of something that Ratt or early Saxon would have written.  This is a great beginning to their frist record.

Brand New Story

I love the beginning of this song.  There is a nice short guitar solo.  There is some great playing from drummer and bass player.  I love his clean vocals at this point of the song.  I love his melody he wrote for his vocals.  There is solid lyrics.  The music kind of reminds me little bit of early Whitesnake at least during the main part of the music.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the mid-point of the song.  There is an extended guitar solo towards the end of the song.  There is a nice ending to this song.

Feels Like Rock And Roll

There is a nice classic hard rock guitar sound and playing at the beginning.  The simple music from the bass and drums gives you a little feel like this could have been a Kiss song.  It is not but it is pretty solid.  The singing and the lyrics are solid.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  You can feel the guitar solo coming and it just fit perfectly where they placed it.  I love the ending with the screaming vocals over the top of the music.

Breaking Free

I love the start of “Breaking Free.”  There is some awesome music.  I am loving the lyrics.  This song reminds me a little bit like Motorhead.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  This song is solid and short to the point.  I love the guitar solo exiting the song.

Big Bitch

I love classic sound on the guitars.  I love the bass playing on this song.  I love how the bass is equal to the rest of the band.  I love the lyrics.  This band has some punk influence.  This song has elements from the New Jersey rockers known as Skid Row.  I am talking off their first record.  There is a nice and solid guitar break towards the middle of the song.  It turns into to a short guitar solo.  They put some thought behind the writing of the music on “Big Bitch.”

Heaven Sent Me

I love the drumming and the guitar solo at the beginning of “Heaven Sent Me.”  I love the music and the guitar riff that is over the top good.  There is some nice vocal singing with some great lyrics.  I love the guitar solo at the mid-point of the song.  I love how the singer hits the some of the notes during the solo.  I love the ending to it.

Raise Your Glass

This is the title track off this record.  The beginning is something you would heard from 1980’s metal band.  I love the music.  The lyrics and singing are pretty solid.  This  band has written a nice anthem for today’s rocking youth.  I love the stops in the music and the start back up.  There is a pretty solid and well placed guitar solo towards the end.  I love the stops from the bass and drumming.  It gives the music another element.  The guitar work on this song reminds of fast Whitesnake.

Let The Good Times Roll

I love the music at the beginning of this song.  This singer sounds like younger Lemmy but not as deep as him.  There is some pretty solid lyrics and music on “Let The Good Times Roll.”  I love the guitar break and solo towards the end of the song.  There is a solid ending to “Let The Good Times Roll.”

Wings Of An Angel

The start of “Wings Of An Angel” has the classic 1980’s metal pop sound.  I am talking like Ratt and WASP.  The singing and lyrics remind me of something from those bands.  Even the back up singing is solid.  I love the drumming and bass playing.  It fills the music up.  There is no holes in this song.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I feel at the end the singer needs some back up vocals.

Alochol

The first single of this record is “Alochol.”  I love the pace of this song.  It is fast and in your face metal music.  There is some great singing and lyrics.  This is one of my favorite songs off “Raise Your Glass.”  I love the music break that enters into a well written guitar solo.  The drumming towards the end is awesome.  This is a perfect ending to this song and the record.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MepAWXOdWXw

Line Up:

  • Ben Sargent – Lead Vocals And Guitar
  • Liam Sargent – Lead Guitar And Backing Vocals
  • Jason Green – Bass And Vocals
  • Headache – Drums

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.hellsaddiction.com

Twitter:  @Hells_Addiction

Closing, Hell’s Addiction has put together a pretty solid first record.  This is a band that is on the raise in the hard rock and metal world.  This band has taken elements of the classic rockers of the past.  I am talking like Whitesnake, Ratt, and WASP.  The more and more I listen to this band’s music.  It reminds me of Motorhead.  The lyrics, song titles, and how the singer sings.  There is more from the sound of the bass and the guitar playing.  It reminds me a little Fast Eddie’s sound.  I am not saying they sound totally like Motorhead.  They brought back classic hard rock and metal sound from the late 1970’s and 1980’s.  The singer has a little punk influence to today’s Lemmy, who is the lead singer and bass player of Motorhead.  He has brought back this singing style and put his own twist on it.  Along with the lead singer, Hell’s Addiction has some punk influence and mixed it with some hard rock and metal.  They put their own twist on their music.  They took a page out of American rockers Skid Row and many of those bands from 1980’s.  If you are classic hard rock and metal fan, you will love this band.  I believe any metal fan will fall in love with Hell’s Addiction.  If you do not, please, tell me why.  I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.  Go get some “Alochol” and “Let The Good Times Row.”  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Monday Blog Anvil Hope In Hell

In this New Music Monday Blog, we are going to get into a band I wish I had a chance to see them way back in the day.  I am talking about the band called Anvil.  This is their new record that is called “Hope In Hell.”  This record is their fifteenth studio record.  This band has went through several line up changes but Lips and Robb are the only original members.  Anvil has been known to influence several big names in the Metal, Speed Metal, and Thrash Metal world.  They never made it until their movie hit the air a few years back.  We are going to get into the history and then the music.  Let us get into the history.

History:

Anvil started in Toronto, Canada back in 1973.  A few high school friends who are Steve “Lips” Kudlow, who is the lead singer and guitar player, and Robb Reiner, who is the drummer.  Marty Hoffman, who is a guitarist and neighbor, was in the band for one show but left shortly after it.  In 1978, Dave “Squirrely” Allison, who was the second guitar player and Ian “Dix” Dickson, who was the bassist joined and the band called themselves Lips.  The band released their first record which was independent release called “Hard N’ Heavy.”  The band was signed to Attic Records and they changed their name to Anvil.  David Krebs and Paul O’Neil signed Anvil as their management team.  They had Attic Records to release them from their contract because they could get them on a major label.  David stop returning phone calls and did not get the band a major label contract.  His management team release the band from their contract.  In 1987, the band signed with Metal Blade Records by William Howell.  Metal Blade Records re-release their first three records and their fourth record, which is called “Strength Of Steel” in the United States.  “Strength Of Steel” was the most commercially success in the United States.  It reached 191 on the Billboard 200.  The band was picked up by Maximum Records and then from 1996 on the band was signed to Hypnotic Records and Massacre Records, which is from Germany.  Anvil will say to this day if it was not for Germany for buying their records.  There would not an Anvil today.  In 2001, the band put out “Plenty Of Power.”  They toured and toured and there would be gigs where no one was there to watch them play.  In 2006, the band decided to record a record called “This Is Thirteen” with  Chris Tsangarides, who is the producer from “Metal On Metal” record.  It was released in 2007.  The band was filmed in a movie called “Anvil! The Story Of Anvil”  This movie put the band back in the public mind.  They released a book on the band author by Lips and Robb.  They appear on “The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien” which was the first time the band was on TV.  They supported AC/DC, which was in the United States, and Saxon, which was in United Kingdom, on their tours.  The band went on headline tour of Europe in 2010 and sell out each place they played.  In 2011, the band release their fourteen studio record, which is called Juggernaut of Justice.  Also in 2011, the band release their second greatest hits record and all their old records under their new record label.  Glenn Gyorffy in 2012 quit the band and was replaced by Sal Italiano.  In 2013, Anivl put out their fifteen studio record, which is “Hope In Hell.”  They are out on tour supporting this record.  Let us get into the music.

Track List:

Hope In Hell

The opening and title track of the record is “Hope In Hell.”    The beginning has some sound effects and the guitar, bass, and drums jump into the song.  The drums and bass has a nice groove and pace to them.  I love the guitar playing from Lips.  Lips’ singing is pretty solid.  I love the lyrics he has written on this song.   There is a nice guitar solo from Lips about the half way point of the song.  I have always love his guitar playing through all their records.  This song has elements from the first few records.  I love the ending to the song with the sound effects.

Eat Your Words

I love the fast pace and the drumming is insane on this song.  The bass playing is simple but it fits the song and it is perfect.  I love the guitar riff on this song.  I love the lyrics.  It is classic Anvil lyrics.  Robb is playing out of his mind on this song.  Lips is killing it with the a guitar solo half way through “Eat Your Words.”  This is a classic Anvil song.  I love the exiting guitar solo at the end of the song.

Through With You

I love  the distortion on Lips guitar .  I love the drums and bass.  “Through WIth You” has a nice driving feeling.  Lips wrote some great lyrics and he is singing is pretty average.  I love it.    I love the melody.  I also love the guitar playing during the chorus.  This record so far has a nice pace to it.  This song is not as fast as the last few songs but it has a nice pace and groove.  I love the guitar break half way through the song.  It turns into a nice guitar solo.  I love the build up guitar solo towards the end that ended the song.

The Fight Is Never Won

I love the guitar, bass, and drum action at the beginning of the song.  The drumming is pretty insane on this song.  I love Lips’ singing and lyrics.   He has a nice melody on this song.  The drums are something else on this song.    There is awesome guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  The bass playing has been pretty solid throughout this record so far.  The last few songs has had some nice guitar solos ending the song.  This is yet another pretty solid ending.

Pay The Toll

I love the groove and pace so far on this song.  The guitar, bass, and drums are awesome.  I love the music on “Pay The Toll.”  I am not a fan of the lyrics but it is classic Anvil.  Lips’ singing is pretty good.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  I have to say this guitar solo just seemed a little forced into the song.  This is a quick and to the point song.  I love some of Anvil’s short songs.

Flying

I love the drumming at the beginning and the guitar and bass enters the song.  There is a nice guitar solo before singer starts to sing.  I love the lyrics and singing on this song.  This song has some meaning for the band that is one thing I love about this band.  They put some feelings and emotion behind their lyrics.  There is a nice guitar break and guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I love the build up to end the song.  Nice guitar solo to end the song with the drums and bass going nuts too.

Call Of Duty

I love the music at the beginning of the song.  I love the lyrics.  I love the pace and rhythm of the music.  I will have to look it up.  It seems Anvil wrote a song for the Video Game franchise.  It just seems like they wrote a song for the video game.  It is not the case.  There is a killer guitar solo towards the middle to the back half of the song.  Anvil wrote some awesome music and lyrics on “Call Of Duty.”  The ending on this song is one of the best ending for a song so far on this record.

Badass Rock N Roll

I love the start to this song.  It has that old school classic hard rock meets speed metal to metal.  I love the drumming on this song.  I love how Lips is singing on this song.  This song sounds like a song that Kiss of Gene Simmons would have been singing if he wrote it.  Hey Kiss, here is your next cover song.  There is a nice and well placed guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  I really love how the guitar and the rest of the band re-enter the back into the main part of the song.   I love the lyrics and the ending to this song.

Time Shows No Mercy

I love the drumming at the beginning with some well place highlighting from the guitar and bass player.  I love the short guitar solo before they enter the main part of the song.  I love the lyrics and the singing is pretty solid.  The music is pretty song.  There is an awesome guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  The drumming is crazy during the guitar solo.  Most drummers would sit in the pocket because they do not want the song sound thin.  I will have to say this song does not sound thin.  I love the build up to end the song.

Mankind Machine

The song starts with some sound effects.  The guitar and drums come in to start the music part.  The bass is shortly after that with the singer coming in strong.  I love the singing and the lyrics on this song.  The music sounds like a bunch of robots or machines.  There is a nice guitar break to a solo towards the back half of the song.  There is a nice drumming break just after the guitar solo.

Shut The Fuck Up

The last song of the record before the bonus tracks.  It starts how as a fast pace to the music.  I love the lyrics and the singing.  This is a pretty solid record so far.  This is classic Anvil.  The music is so good on this song.  This is a perfect song to finish this great and soon to be classic Anvil record.

Hard Wired

I love the drumming, bass, and guitar playing at the beginning of the song.  There is a nice short guitar solo at the beginning just before Lips starts to singing.  I love the melody he wrote for his singing.  There is some nice lyrics.  The guitar solo towards the middle of this song is good but it just feels a little forced into the song.  I love the ending to the song.

Fire At Will

The song starts out with some strong music with everyone playing at the same time.  Lips singing is pretty solid with some great lyrics.  I love singing before the chorus and then in the chorus.  I love how they set up the guitar solo and the well placed solo in this song.  This guitar solo feels right in the song.  This is a perfect ending with the bonus tracks for “Hope In Hell” record.  I love how the song ends.

Current Line Up:

  • Steve “Lips” Kudlow – Lad Vocals And Lead Guitar
  • Robb “Geza” Reiner – Drums
  • Sal Italiano – Bass Guitar

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.anvilmetal.com

Twitter:  @AnvilMetal666

Fuel the fire, Anvil keeps on going and they are still writing some great music and records.  Anvil puts out yet another classic record.  I know I was not their at the beginning but I wish was to see Anvil at the beginning of their career.  I discover them before their movie came out.  I heard some of their tunes.  I had a hard time finding their records.  I overpaid for their first greatest hits because I wanted to play it on my radio show, which is www.stfu.fm.  I wanted to support this great band.  I had a chance to meet the whole band outside of their Chicago show.  I was able to get all their records from www.ebay.com and some release.  I have to say this record “Hope In Hell” as lived up to the rest of their records.  This record is solid from start to finish.  I highly recommend you checking out this record and this band.  I would go see the movie if you have not.  If you are not a metal fan, I would go see it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Credit source: history part of this blog came from Wikipedia.

New Music Monday Blog Skid Row United World Rebellion Chapter One

In this New Music Monday Blog, we are going to get into the new music and the EP from Skid Row.  The EP is called United World Rebellion Chapter One.  We are going to get into history of this once 1980’s Pop Metal and into this great EP music.  Let us get into the history.

History

Skid Row was founded by Rachel Bolan, who is the bass player, and Dave “The Snake” Sabo, who is the lead guitar player, in a town of New Jersey in 1986.  Rachel and Dave filled out the rest of the band with Scotti Hill, who is the second guitar player, Rob Affuso, who is the drummer, and lead singer Sebastian Bach, who replaced Mark Fallon.  Jon Bon Jovi was good friends with Dave Sabo and each promise each other if one made it big to help the other person out.  Bon Jovi’s management sought out Skid Row and sign them to a management deal while the band signs a deal with Atlantic Records in 1988.  In 1988, the band return the studio to record their first record.  Jon Bon Jovi asked Gary Moore, who was part of Irish Blues band called Skid Row, if you would sell the name to American Skid Row for $35,000 US Dollar.  Gary Moore agreed to sell the rights to the name but the rest of his former band mates still dispute these events.  Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora signed Skid Row to a punishing deal which would become an issue when the band became successful.  The band toured and opened up with Bon Jovi.  Skid Row released their self titled record in 1989.  It was success with hit songs like “I Remember You,” “Youth Gone Wild,” and “18 And Life.”  The record went five times platinum.  The band went back into the studio in 1990 to record their second record which is called “Slave To The Grind.”  It was released in 1992 and it went number one in the first week of sale.  It produced hits like “Monkey Business,”  and “Wasted Time.”  The band went on a world tour with mostly Guns N’ Roses.  Before the band started working on their third record, they recorded EP called “B-Sides Ourselves” in 1992.  The band started recording their third record in 1994 with Bob Rock, who replaced Michael Wagenger at producer.  “Subhuman Race” was released in 1995.  It produced some hits but it was not as successful as their last two records.  Sebastian Bach was fired by the band in late 1996.  There was a fight between Bach and Balon about opening up for Kiss.  The band never really broke up but they did play under another band name called Ozone Monday with Shawn Mars.  Rob Affuso left the band and was replaced with Charlie Mills.  The band performed under the name Ozone Monday from 1998 to 1999 around the world.  In 1999, the band went back with the name Skid Row and hired new lead singer, who is Johnny Solinger.  Charlie Mills left the band and was replaced by former drummer of Saison Kick, who is Phil Varone.  The band released their fourth record, which was called “Thickskin” with Phil Varone  on drums and Johnny Solinger on vocals.  This record was the first record in eight years.  Dave Gara came a board to play drums in 2004.  “Revolutions per Minute” was their fifth record and it was released in 2006.  The band did several tours around the world and on the water as a cruise.  In 2010, Dave Gara left the band and was replaced by Rob Hammersmith on drums.  In 2011, rumors started to fly that Bach was returning to the band as the lead singer.  Dave Sabo put all those rumors to a stop after Bach started it on “That Metal Show.”  In 2013, the band signed a record dead with Megaforce Records.  They put out this EP, which is called “United World Rebellion Chapter One.”  This band has put out five studio records, two EP, one live record, and one greatest hits.  Let us get into the music.

Track List:

Kings Of Demolition

I love the heavy guitars and bass in your face at the beginning.  Johnny singing is strong and solid.  I love the main riff with some nice playing from the rhythm selection of the band.  I love the melody from the singer.  There is some solid lyrics on this opening track.  This is a really good singing with some great music and well written lyrics.  There is an awesome guitar solo towards the end of the song.  There is a normal Skid Row ending to the song.

Lets Go

Just like the opening track, “Lets Go” starts out the same way but a little bit slower.  However, it has a nice pace with some solid lyrics, I love Johnny’s singing better than Bach’s vocals.  I believe Bach’s vocals would not fit on the music Skid Row is putting together on their last three records.  There is some nice lyrics.  There is an awesome and well place guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  This song you can hear the punk influence in the band.  Another awesome ending to a song.

This Is Killing Me

I love the touch of the acoustic guitar with a slight overdrive guitar over the top with a short guitar solo.  Johnny is singing with passion and feeling along with some great lyrics.  I love the pace of this song.  The drums and bass are calming but perfect for the song.  I love the well placed keyboards in the background.  They put some nice lays of the music here.  In the middle of the song, I can hear a nice dancing bass line in the background.  There is a nice guitar break towards the back half of the song that turns into a nice short guitar solo.  I kind of feel that one was forced.

Get Up

I love how the guitar starts out with bass and drums being the forces point at the beginning.  The drums and bass are forced in the main part of the song.  I love the touch of the guitars.  I love the singing from Johnny and the lyrics he is signing.  I love the pace and the way place back up vocals.  I love the change of pace towards the middle of the song.  It goes right back to the main riff.  I love the guitar solo ending the song.

Stitches

I love the fade in guitar work with some nice drums and killer bassline.  This music is pretty sick in a good way.  Johnny comes in with a nice punk like singing.  This song is in your face but in a nice way.  I am not a fan of the lyrics but they will have to grow on me.  The music is making this song right now.  This is a perfect ending to this EP.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.skidrow.com

Twitter:  @OfficialSkidRow

In the end, Skid Row has been a band has been on my radar.  They were a band that was at the end of the 1980’s metal scene.  I believe to this day they do not get the credit they should for their music.  Was their first record like all the bands of their time?  Yeah, their records after that shows more than just your normal 1980’s metal bands.  Yes, they are part of that era and they cannot block that out of their career.  I have to say Skid Row has come a long way from their self titled record.  Even with Bach, the band did get heavier and I felt they push themselves away from their peers.  This band has re-establish itself in the hard rock and metal world.  Skid Row was awesome in the 1980’s and early 1990’s but I feel this is the real Skid Row.  Skid Row is back and better than ever.  I cannot wait to see what the next chapter.  I highly recommend you checking this band out.  Let me know what you think of it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Monday Blog Tom Keifer The Way Life Goes

In this Music Monday Blog, we are going to get into the first solo record from lead singer Cinderalla, who is Tom Keifer.  There is two things I love about this singer’s first solo record.  First thing, it is so different than his band’s music.   Second thing, Tom Keifer voice is fine and health.  Tom went for vocal box surgery and no one knew as a fan base if he was going to sing again or at the level he did back in the 1980’s.  I am happy he is back.  I am going to back down his music career and then get into this great solo record.  Let us get into the history of Tom Keifer.

History

Carl Thomas Keifer was borned in 1961 in Springfield, Pennsylvania.  He grew up loving the blues and later founded Cinderella with bassist Eric Brittingham in 1980.  Jon Bon Jovi discovered  Cinderella in 1985 at Empire Rock Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  With a recording contract from Mercury/Polygram Records, Jeff LaBar, who is the lead guitar player, and Jim Dmec, who is the drummer, join the band that same year.  Fred Coury replaced Jim Dmec on drums to make it on their “Night Songs” record.  In 1988, Cinderella released their second record, which was called “Long Cold Winter.”  “Heartbreak Station” was released in 1990 as their third record.  Fred Coury left the band after a short tour and joined Arcade with lead singer of Ratt, who is Stephen Pearcy.  Tom lost his voice during the recording of their fourth record.  This delayed the recording of the “Stilling Climbing.”  He went for several operations to solve this problem  Fred was replaced Kenny Aronoff to finish drum tracks on the record.  The record had some poor sales and dropped off the charts.  Mercury Records drop the band and the band went on a hiatus or broke up in 1995.  In 1997, the band resurfaced to record a few new tracks for their first Greatest Hits record, which was called “Once Upon A…”  The band did tour in 1998 which led for a live record, which was called “Live At The Key Club,”  to be released in 1999 under Cleopartra Records.  Cinderella was singed to Sony Records in 2000.  However, before they could release their fifth record, they were dropped by Sony.  It led the band and Sony to be in court fights over the music.  The band has done several tour dates but in 2008, the band was forced to cancel their tour dates due to Tom’s vocal chords.   In 2009, the band stated that Tom’s voice is back to normal and went on a few more tours.  The band is still together and Tom is health.  Tom has been working on this record since 2003.  “The Way Life Goes” was record in 2013 under Merovee Records.  He worked on this record with his wife Savannah Keifer.  Let us get into the music.

Track List:

Solid Ground

There is some nice guitar work at the beginning of the song.  Tom screams over the top of some nice music.  He wrote some nice lyrics and music.  This is a different pace to his Cinderella music.  There is some nice drumming and bass playing on this song.  There is some nice guitar work.  Tom’s singing is solid.  This is a great opening track to his first solo record.

A Different Light

Tom comes in singing with an acoustic guitar.  There is some nice music and good lyrics.  I love how the chorus came together.  I love the drumming and bass playing.  This is a nice calming song.  The main versus reminds something he would write with Cinderella but the chorus is a little different.  This song sounds like a Bon Jovi song or one of Jon’s solo songs.  I love this song.  I love the fade out ending.

It’s Not Enough

I love the effect on the guitar.  Tom’s singing is strong with some great lyrics.  I love the drumming and bass playing.  This is a song I could see Cinderella do back in the day.  His vocals chords sound very strong so far on this record.  His wife’s back up singing is spot on and blends nicely with his vocals.  Savannah Keifer, who is Tom’s wife, is all over this record because she helped her husband write this record.  She has a beautiful voice.  I love the fade out ending to this song too.

Cold Day In Hell

I love the acoustic guitar and then the harmonica from Pat Buchanan.  Tom wrote some nice music and lyrics on this song.  I love the back up singing on this song.  It is perfect for this song.  I love the sax playing from Jim Horne.  It gives this song a nice change of pace to the rest of the songs on this record.  This is a killer chorus.  I love the build up to the ending of the song.  Once again, another fade out ending.

Thick And Thin

I love the piano playing on this song.  This song gives this record a different element.  He has some nice lyrics on this song.  I have crazy thought he wrote this song for his wife.  I love how there is guitar to expand the music from the piano.  The drums and bass are a nice support.  Man, these are some great lyrics.  He put some thought into these words.  I love the short guitar solo towards the middle of the song.

Ask Me Yesterday

I love the guitar work at the beginning.  This is a thinking man’s song.  I love the lyrics.  He wrote some nice music for ten years and how time made them really good.  I love how the drums and bass are nice support throughout this record.  There is some nice music on this song.

Fools Paradise

“Fools Paradise” has a little pick up from the last two songs.  There is a programming on this song and you can hear it.  Midi Programming is coming from Mitch Goldfarb.  Tom is singing is pretty solid with some great lyrics.  I love the guitar work and the lays of guitars on this song.  There is a nice guitar break towards the middle of the song.  Drums and bass playing are spot on but I kind of wish he would do more with the drums and bass on this record.  I love the exiting guitar solo to end the song.

The Flower Song

“The Flower Song”  is his first single off this record.  I love the acoustic guitar at the beginning of the song.  I love the touch of the slide guitar playing on this song.  There is some nice back up vocals.  Tom’s singing is solid and wrote some great lyrics.  I love the music because it is almost like a folk song.  I love the calm drumming and bass playing on the song.  I love the trade-off from the slide guitar and the normal guitar players on a short solo.  There is some organ playing deep in the background.

Mood Elevator

I love the music on this song.  This song should have been a Cinderella song.  Tom’s singing is strong with some great lyrics.  The drums and bass playing have pick up.  I love the lyrics and the singing from the back up singers.  There is some nice guitar work on this song.  This song is so much a different pace to the rest of the song.  It kind of does not fit on this record, however, there is always songs like that on every record.  I still dig this song.

Welcome To My Mind

I love the guitar work at the beginning of the song.  There is an awesome main riff.  I love the midi programming on this song from Blair Daly.  He did a great job.  I love the music and lyrics.  I almost want to say this should be his second single off this record.  Svannah has some solid back up singing on this song.  I love the guitar break to a nice low-end guitar solo.  There is a nice fast pace on this song.  “Welcome To My Mind” makes “Mood Elevator” fit on this record.  It is a nice pace for the record now.  It makes sense.  This is a great song.

You Showed Me

“You Showed Me” brings it back down with some nice piano playing.  I love the support from the guitar playing.  The drums are perfect with a nice bass line on this song.  I love the lyrics.  Thank you, Tom for letting the bass player dance up and down that neck.  This is a great song.  This song needs to be a single off this record.  Tom’s singing is off the charts.  I love this record so far.

Ain’t That A Bitch

I love the the guitar riff on this song.  There is some nice music on this song.  Tom has written some nice lyrics with his wife and Conley White.  There is a nice pace to this song.  The drums and bass playing are pretty solid.  There is a nice short guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  I love the exiting guitar solo.  Nice touch!

The Way Life Goes

The beginning is a little weird and different but comes together.  It has a heavy Blues feel to it.  I have listen to Blues in my time but not a lot.  I know enough to love the music.  I love Tom’s singing and he wrote some great lyrics. I love the touch on the back up singers.  I love the meaning behind this song.  It has a nice theme to it.  Nice drumming and bass playing from Ben Strano and Michael Rhodes.  Pat Buchanan playing a nice harmonica.

Babylon

Mitch Goldfrab back on Midi Programming.  I love the playing from the bass and drums.  I love the music and lyrics on this song.  This is a perfect song to finish off this great first record from Tom Keifer.  I love how this song flows and the pace is perfect.  This is a great song.

Line Up For Tom Keifer’s Band

  • Tom Keifer – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar, and Keyboard
  • Greg Morrow – Drums, Percussion
  • Michael Rhodes – Bass Guitar
  • Tony Harrell – Piano, B3 Organ, Wurlizer, Clvinet

Here is his website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tomkeifer.com and www.cinderella.net

Twitter:  @TomKeiferMusic and @Cinderellanet

In the end, this was pretty impressive solo record.  I knew it was in him.  Tom Keifer and his wife wrote some great music.  I have to say this is a different pace to his music with Cinderella.  Most artist release a solo record and they sound like their parent band.  I love when artist do something different from their parent band.  Geoff Tate from Queensryche did it twice.  Don Dokken from Dokken has done it twice.  There is other artist like former lead singer from Skid Row.  Bach solo music sounds like Skid Row.  Rob Halford has done it but still sounds like his Judas Priest.  The same can same about Ronnie James Dio and Ozzy.  This is no knock on their music.  It is still good but I love when an artist goes solo and does something different.  This is what music is all about.  Their guests were not the mainstream guys like you normally do see on most solo artist records.  Pat Buchanan did some great guitar works.  He has some great solo music records also.  You need to check him out.  Back to Tom, I am so glad he is back and fully heathy on the vocal cord side.  He sounds great.  I have been a fan of Cinderella for a long time.  This is a great record and I will be listening to this record non stop.  There has been some great new releases in 2013.  I have to say this record has to be in my top five of 2013.  I highly recommend this record if you are a Cinderella fan or just love some great rock to hard rock with a touch of blues.  Go get some!   Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  Thanks Tom for some great music over the years.  I has been an honor listening to your music.  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Credit Source:  (I pick up the history part from wikipedia.)

New Unknown Music Thursday Blog Earthen Grave Self Title

a2457689281_2

In this Unknown Music Thursday Blog, we are going to get into the music of Earthen Grave.  This is their self title and first release from this band. Earthen Grave is a Chicago base doom to the classic old school metal band.  Ron Holzner, who is the bassist, was with the band Trouble.  It was founded in 2008 by Jason Muxlow, who is one of the guitar players.  There is an unique twisted on this band.  They have Rachel Barton Pine.  She plays the electric violin.  The band has released their EP and now this first full length record.  There is not much more on the history of this young band.  Let us get into the music.

Track List

Earthen Grave

The opening track has sound effects or sampling of church bells with a little guitar feedback.  I love the creepy guitar riff like a Black Sabbath style along with the drums and bass playing.  I love the bass line during the singing part.  Mark is a perfect fit for this music.  I love the lyrics.  I did not know how the violin would fit into the music but it is perfect it.  There is some awesome music.  I love the pick up towards the end of the song with a short guitar solo.  This is a great opening track for this record.

Life Carries On

I love the play back and forth on the guitar side of things.  The drums and bass are solid.  There is a nice guitar solo at the beginning of the song.  Mark comes in singing shortly after that solo.  He has a different tone of singing than the opening track.  I love the pace of this song.   I love how they are using the violin in this song.  It almost echoes the singing and guitar.  I love how they put the violin at the front towards the end as a solo and guitar solo shortly after that.  I love how both guitars sound a little different.  I loving the trade-off solos towards the end of the song.

Burning A Sinner

There is a classic 1970’s guitar riff with the music having the same feeling.  Mark’s singing is honorary those legend in the 1970’s.  I love the back up vocals.  It was a perfectly place and fits the song.  It is not focused.  There is some good lyrics on this song.  This song sounds like something that would be from Deep Purple or Black Sabbath record.  Nice touch on the guitar break and solo towards the middle of the song.

Blood Drunk

I love the acoustic guitar and the violin playing over the top of it.  I love the calming drums and bass.  Mark and Rachel’s singing are spot on to the song.  This is a pretty calming song.  This should be their first single off this record.  I love how they pick up the pace to heaviest part of the song.  I love the music.  Earthen Grave looped back to the slower part after the heavy part.  I love the time changes on this song.  There is a pretty nice guitar solos at the end of the song.  Both guitars are hitting it together hard.  There is a nice short violin solo.  Nice ending to the song.

Dismal Times

I love the drums and guitar action at the beginning.  There is a nice acoustic guitar with the drums and bass.  The violin plays over the top of the music.  The heavy guitars roar in with Mark screaming over it.  I love his melody on this song.  I love the lyrics and music on this song.  This is a pretty good record so far.  Mark is showing off as a singer on this song.  I really love how they used the violin on this song.  There is a nice time changes to the song.  There is some nice violin action at the end of the song.  Rachel is playing is awesome and great work.  “Dismal Times” has a great ending.

Tilted World

I love the trade-off from the guitar player and bassist.  There is some awesome riffs at the beginning.  I have always love the wah wah pedal on the bass.  I know I over use it when I play my bass.  I love the music on this song.  There is some great lyrics and singing from Mark.  The back up singing is good but I just feel this song and how Mark sings.  The band can do without back up vocals.  This is my thought not the bands.  I love the acoustic guitar with violin playing over the top.  I love the mood changes in all their songs.  I love the ending to this song.

Beneath A Shovel Load

I love the feedback guitar that turns into a guitar solo with the acoustic guitar in the background.  The drums and  bass are solid back up and support to the acoustic guitar.  I love the snap into the main riff.  Mark’s singing and melody are awesome.  He wrote some nice lyrics.  I love the pace of the song.  This is a nice driving song.  This is my favorite song so far off this record.  I could see this song being a single off this great record.  I love the double bass at the end of the song from the drums.  We need more double bass.  I love the guitar and violin solos at the end of “Beneath A Shovel Load.”

Fall In

I love the drumming at the beginning with nice touch simple bass line.  The guitar playing is awesome.  I love the main riff for the versus.  Mark kind sounds like Glen Danzing on this song.  This is the first time I kind of say he sounds like someone.  He has his unique way of singing that is a good thing.  This is a very good song and I enjoyed it.  I just feel this song is a little too long.  I love the effects on the guitars and the hard-hitting drums towards the end of the song.  Nice touch on the drums and bass towards the back half of the song to set up the trade up guitar solos.  I love the fading out guitar playing end.

Relentless

I love the guitar work at the beginning.  This is a nice driving song.  The drums and bass are solid.  He does sound like Ozzy of Black Sabbath but he has the same melody and rhythm on his vocals.  He has a kind of Glen Danzing sound again.  The more I think about his singing.  It kind of reminds of Riot “Thundersteel” singing.   I love music changes and the ending to this song.

Death On The High Seas

Here is the longest song off this record.  I love the violin playing at the beginning.  I love how she put some distorted on it that has a really nice effect.  I love the pace and the music on this song so far.  The music does kind of sound like the seas or the water hitting a ship.  Mark has some nice singing on “Death On The High Seas.”  There is a nice guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  I love the violin playing at the mid-point of the song.  I love the fast pace of the song just past the mid-point of the song.  It is almost like they are in storm on the high seas.  Earthen Grave has done a great job on the music.  I love the ending.

Death Is Another Word

“Death Is Another Word” is their first single off this record.  I love the guitar playing that fades into the song.  I love the guitar playing at the beginning.  The drums and bass are solid.  I love the main riff with Mark singing over the top of it.  I love the pace of this song.  Mark is singing great with some good lyrics.  Mark sounds like Ozzy during the chorus part.  Earthen Grave has put some thought behind this song.  I love the fade out for the end of the song and the record before the live bonus track.

Stargazer (Live)

This is a classic Rainbow song.  I love how they use the violin on this song.  It is well placed.  The music is right on.  Mark is singing awesome of this classic Rainbow song.  Mark has a little Dio in him.  I believe Dio would approve Mark’s singing  on this song.  Earthen Grave has nailed this song.  I love how the violin is playing the classic Blackmore guitar solo along with one of the guitar players.   For being a live recording, the production team did a great job of recording this song.

Current Line Up

  • Mark Weiner – Vocals
  • Tony Spillman – Guitar
  • Jason Muxlow – Guitar
  • Ron Holzmer – Bass
  • Rachel Barton Pine – Eletric Violin
  • Chris Wozniak – Drums

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.earthengrave.com

Twitter:  @earthengrave

In closing, this is my first post under “Unknown Music Thursday” on my blog.  I am honor to have put this band’s music as my first post.  I received an email from Bandcamp to check out this band’s music.  This is how I discovered this band.  There is many bands in the past that use a violin player in the classic rock.  There is not too many hard rock and metal bands use violin player.  I am pretty impressed with the music and how they used the violin in their music.  Rachel is awesome player.  I have always love Ron’s bass playing in Trouble and he did not disappoint on this record.  Chris is a great drummer and Earthen Grave has picked a great one.  Tony and Jason are some guitar players and they know how to write their solos.  Earthen Grave should be proud of the music they put on this record.  They are upcoming band and I wish them the best of luck in the future.  I will be picking up this record and see them live.  I highly recommend you checking out this band, if you are hard rock and metal fans.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Monday Blog Queensryche Self Titled (Todd La Torre Verision)

In this Music Monday blog,  we are going to get into the other verision of Queensryche.  I realize how confusing this is about the band.  It is what it is until their next court hearing.  Queensryche fired Geoff Tate and hired Todd La Torre as their new lead singer.  Let us get into the history of this band.

History

Queensryche was founded in 1982 in Washington.  Chris DeGarmo met Mark Wilton to form a band called Joker.  Mark Wilton met Scott Rockenfield and Chris met Eddie Jackson.  They changed the name to The Mob.  Geoff Tate joined but he was not interested in playing metal covers.  The band recorded their first EP called Queen Of The Reich.  The band discovered there was another band with the same name of The Mob.  They rename the band Queensryche from their first EP.  The key is they misspelled it.  Queensryche was signed EMI Records in 1983.  They supported the EP with a tour by opening up for Quiet Riot and Twisted Sister.  After the tour, they went into the studio to record The Warning, which is their first studio release, and it was released in 1984.  Their second record was called Rage Of Order in 1986. In 1988 Queensryche release their first Concept Record which is known as Operation: Mind Crime.  The band toured with Metallica, Guns and Roses, and Def Leppard.  After that successful record, the band put out in 1990 their must successful and most selling record known as Empire.  Just like Mind Crime, Empire pumped out several hits and the record reached #7 on the United States music charts.  The band appeared on MTV Unplugged and released Live record with Operation:  Mind Crime.  The band took time off but in 1994 they released the follow-up to Empire which is Promise Land.  Like most Metal bands, they took a hit when the grunge scene hit the mainstream.  The band put out their final record with original lead guitar player Chris DeGarmo.  The record was called Hear In The Now Frontier.  The record had two hits but record itself did not do good.  Chris left the band and it was not made public why he left the band.  He is now a full-time pilot.  Chris was replaced by Kelly Gray and he produced their next release called Q2K in 1999.  Just like Hear In The Now Frontier, the fans did not like the direction of the band.  The band was forced to play in clubs and theaters like most of their peers.  The band put out their second live record in 2001 and fired Kelly Gary for ongoing problems and personal habits.  In 2003, the band enter the studio to worked on Tribe and reports that Chris DeGarmo worked with the band again.  He helped co write four songs but he never rejoin or decline that he was part of the band.  However Kelly Gary’s replacement was Mark Stone, which work with Tate on his first solo record, Mark Stone finished the record as the second guitar player.  The band went on tour with Dream Theater to support in 2003.  In 2004, Queensryche got a ton of interested from fans when they announced they are going to do a follow-up to the 1988’s release Operation:  Mind Crime.  Operation:  Mind Crime II was released under new record label Rhino in 2006.  The band put a greatest hits called Signs Of The Time with Chris DeGarmo on one new song.  In 2007, the band put out a cover record that was called Take Cover.  Mark Stone left the band to work on his side project called Speed-X but there was reports that he was fired from the band.   Mark was forced to record both the lead and rhythm guitar parts for American Soldier, which was three concept record, that Queensryche put out.  It was released in 2009.  Dedicated to Chaos was the final record with Geoff Tate  and it was released 2011.  The band had a meeting without Tate and they decided to outsource their fan club and fire their band manager, who is Tate’s wife.  The band hired Todd La Torre as the lead singer.  Geoff Tate filed a lawsuit against the band on that he has the rights to the name.  The judge ruled that Tate and his former band mates could use the name until the next court date which is in November of 2013.  This blog is on the Todd La Torre version of the band.  Let us get into the music.

Song List

X2

The intro is almost something off their first few records.  I believe their EP.   I love it.  This is Queensryche.

Where Dreams Go To Die

I love the opening that blends from the intro track.  I love the guitar work and drums with the kick in from the bass.  This is a killer start.  Damn!  Holy Shit!  This is Queensryche!  I love the drop off into acoustic guitars like normal Queensryche.  The singer, who is Todd La Torre, sounds just like a young version of Geoff Tate.  This band will not loss beat but get better.  This song has anything to say about the rest of the record.  The lyrics are pretty good.  There is some pretty good music here and it takes me back to the first few records.  There is a great guitar solo towards the end of the song.  This is a great opening song.

Spore

I love the effects on the one guitar at the beginning of the song.  I love how Todd just jumps into the song.  I love the music and the lyrics.  I have listen to this great records a few times.  I did not like this song at first but it is really growing on me.  There is some nice lyrics.  The drumming is awesome with some great bass line to shadow it.  The guitar players have done a great job.  The music break and back to the main riff. It breaks up the song and give it a soul. It has a nice ending.

In This Light

The music on this song is so old school Queensryche when they first started.  Todd is singing very nicely on this song.  I love the lyrics on this record so far.   Mike and Parker have some nice guitar work on this song and so far on this record.  This song has a nice pace to it.  I love the drum roll before a great guitar solo.  There is a nice ending to a song.

Redemption

I love the guitar and drum action at the beginning.   I love the start of Redemption.  I love how it was short and to the point.  Todd’s singing is solid with some great lyrics.  I never thought I would hear another Geoff Tate in my time but here is Todd.  I am glad he is around and Queensryche found him.  I love melody in this song.  I love the guitar solo towards the back half of this song.  The effects on the vocals is perfect throughout this record.  I love the ending.

Vindication

I love the fast pace and the driving guitar riff with some great playing from the Scott, who is the drummer, and Eddie, who is the bass player.  I love the slight drop off when the singer comes in which just feels like it.  I love the time changes.  Todd has some nice lyrics and melody.  He so fits this song.  Damn!  Scott is playing his ass off on this song.  Nice touch on the guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Midnight Lullaby

Here is another intro track for the next song.  I love this one because it is pretty creepy in a good way.

A World Without

I love the acoustic guitar at the beginning with a slight overdrive guitar over the top.  Todd singing and melody is spot on in this song.  There is some nice lyrics on this track.  This song has a nice pace for being a slower song.  This is some great music from Queensryche in a very long time.  The drums, bass, and guitars are well done.  I just feel this guitar solo is a little forced but still good.

Don’t Look Back

I love the music at the beginning of the song.  It has a great fast pace to it.  Todd just jumps into with some great lyrics.  I have to say this is one of my favorite songs so far off this record.  I love the music break about the halfway point.  It might have been short but it is still a great song.  Nice ending.

Fallout

I love the drums, bass, and the one guitar playing at the beginning with a nice guitar solo over the top.  Todd might sounds like Tate but he has put his own twist to make it his own.  I love the lyrics and melody.  The back up singing is so much better on this record than the Tate’s version of Queensryche.  I love the guitar solo towards the end of the song.  It has a nice ending.

Open Road

I love the guitar work and perfect drum beat at the beginning.  Todd has some nice singing with some great lyrics.  I love the touch of the keyboard during the short guitar solos.  Man, this is a great song.  I love the long guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I love the ending of the song and perfect song to exit from this great record before the bonus tracks.

Queen Of The Reich (Live)

The music is spot on for a live performance.  When listening to this song, I would have never guess that was not Geoff Tate singing.  Todd has done a great job on this song.  When a band does not have their original singer, it is never the same.  Queensryche and Journey are one of the few bands I can say that can play their old songs like their old songs.

En Force (Live)

Just like “Queen Of The Reich” there is no drop off from the singing.  Everything is spot on from the original song.  I have always loved this song.  This is a nice live recording.

Prophecy (Live)

Just like the last two live song, this song is no different.  Todd is singing just like the original song.  The music is spot on like old Queensryche.  This is not one of my favorite songs from Queensryche but I am happy they are playing more of the older songs.

Orinigal Line Up

  • Geoff Tate – Lead Vocals
  • Chris DeGarmo Guitars, Backing Vocals
  • Michael Wilton – Guitars
  • Scott Rockenfield – Drums
  • Eddie Jackson – Bass, Backing Vocals

Current Line Up

  • Todd La Torre – Vocals
  • Michael Wilton – Lead And Rhythm Guitars
  • Parker Lundgren – Lead And Rhythm Guitars
  • Eddie Jackson – Bass, Backing Vocals
  • Scott Rockenfield – Drums, Percussion, Orchestral Arrangements

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.queensrycheofficial.com/intro.cfm

Twitter:  @queensryche

In closing, I am pretty impresssed with this record with the new lead singer.  I have been doing a ton of thinking on the older records from this great band.  I have to say Mike was not lying when he said they are going back to “The Warning” and their EP music.  Todd gives them power to it.  I have always loved their old records.  Do not get me wrong.  Opertional Mindcrime and Empire are great records.  I just felt as a huge Queeensryche fan that the first few greats were better than those big selling records.  I also realize that put them on the map to the mainstream music scene.  Queensryche came into my life with the record, which was “Hear In The Now Frontier.”  I am not old school metal head and I wish I was.  I am in my mid 30’s and grew up with sisters that love the hard rock and metal scene.  I loved that record and started to explore their record.  I understand most fans of this band feel about that record and I agree.  I have always put that record to my heart.  I love this record and I will play the crap out of this record.  I just might have to but a new one and that will be the first since Van Halen’s Balance record.  The music is Queensryche and they did a great job writing on it.  Todd did a great job on this record. He is replacing one of the best metal singers of all time.  Tate is in my top five metal singers of all times.  It is hard to replace a guy like that, however, I believe he has done it.  He does not like sound like Tate but Todd comes extremely close to it.  He has his own twist and uses it in the right ways.  This is a Queensryche record.  It is not like that Tate version of Queensryche.  Just what I said in that blog, Geoff needs to take some time off.  I believe he is burn out and needs a long vacation.  I know what that does to a rock star, however, “quality is always better than quantity,” said Todd La Torre (www.blabbermouth.net.)  I have to agree with what Todd has to say.  After listening to this record, there is no doubt that this Queensryche will win the court case this fall.  Geoff Tate was last member of the original five to join the group and has put out three solo records (The third record is his version of Queensryche.)  I am proud of this band I really hope I can see them on tour.  I highly recommend this record.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Credit Source:  (I pick up the history part from wikipedia.)

New Music Monday Queensryche Frequency Unknown (Tate Version)

In this Music Monday blog, we are going to get into the new release from Queensryche and it is called Frequency Unknown.  This release is the Geoff Tate version of the band.  Queensryche spite with their lead singer and former band mates are fighting over the name.  The other Queensryche will be releasing a new record with their new lead singer. I will have that review here soon.

History

Queensryche was founded in 1982 in Washington.  Chris DeGarmo met Mark Wilton to form a band called Joker.  Mark Wilton met Scott Rockenfield and Chris met Eddie Jackson.  They changed the name to The Mob.  Geoff Tate joined but he was not interested in playing metal covers.  The band recorded their first EP called Queen Of The Reich.  The band discovered there was another band with the same name of The Mob.  They rename the band Queensryche from their first EP.  The key is they misspelled it.  Queensryche was signed EMI Records in 1983.  They supported the EP with a tour by opening up for Quiet Riot and Twisted Sister.  After the tour, they went into the studio to record The Warning, which is their first studio release, and it was released in 1984.  Their second record was called Rage Of Order in 1986. In 1988 Queensryche release their first Concept Record which is known as Operation: Mind Crime.  The band toured with Metallica, Guns and Roses, and Def Leppard.  After that successful record, the band put out in 1990 their must successful and most selling record known as Empire.  Just like Mind Crime, Empire pumped out several hits and the record reached #7 on the United States music charts.  The band appeared on MTV Unplugged and released Live record with Operation:  Mind Crime.  The band took time off but in 1994 they released the follow-up to Empire which is Promise Land.  Like most Metal bands, they took a hit when the grunge scene hit the mainstream.  The band put out their final record with original lead guitar player Chris DeGarmo.  The record was called Hear In The Now Frontier.  The record had two hits but record itself did not do good.  Chris left the band and it was not made public why he left the band.  He is now a full-time pilot.  Chris was replaced by Kelly Gray and he produced their next release called Q2K in 1999.  Just like Hear In The Now Frontier, the fans did not like the direction of the band.  The band was forced to play in clubs and theaters like most of their peers.  The band put out their second live record in 2001 and fired Kelly Gary for ongoing problems and personal habits.  In 2003, the band enter the studio to worked on Tribe and reports that Chris DeGarmo worked with the band again.  He helped co write four songs but he never rejoin or decline that he was part of the band.  However Kelly Gary’s replacement was Mark Stone, which work with Tate on his first solo record, Mark Stone finished the record as the second guitar player.  The band went on tour with Dream Theater to support in 2003.  In 2004, Queensryche got a ton of interested from fans when they announced they are going to do a follow-up to the 1988’s release Operation:  Mind Crime.  Operation:  Mind Crime II was released under new record label Rhino in 2006.  The band put a greatest hits called Signs Of The Time with Chris DeGarmo on one new song.  In 2007, the band put out a cover record that was called Take Cover.  Mark Stone left the band to work on his side project called Speed-X but there was reports that he was fired from the band.   Mark was forced to record both the lead and rhythm guitar parts for American Soldier, which was three concept record, that Queensryche put out.  It was released in 2009.  Dedicated to Chaos was the final record with Geoff Tate  and it was released 2011.  The band had a meeting without Tate and they decided to outsource their fan club and fire their band manager, who is Tate’s wife.  The band hired Todd La Torre as the lead singer.  Geoff Tate filed a lawsuit against the band on that he has the rights to the name.  The judge ruled that Tate and his former band mates could use the name until the next court date which is in November of 2013.  This blog is on the Tate version of the band.  He has several artist and former members of the Queensryche band.  Let us get into the music.

Track List

Cold

There is some strong action from the drums and an awesome guitar riff.  Tate’s singing is really strong.  I am not a fan of the lyrics.  I can barely hear the vocals in the song.  It just seems like the guitar is right by the recording mic the whole time.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Dare

There is some nice guitar work and drum action at the beginning.  Tate is more to the front as the guitars seems like they are in the background.  I am not a fan of the lyrics.  It just seems like these first two songs the lyrics were rushed to get the record out to the public.  I am not sure how I feel towards the middle of the song.  I love the guitar build up from the break and the ending.

Give It To You

I love the acoustic guitar at the beginning of the song.  I really do not like Tate’s singing in this song.  Once again, I am not a fan of the lyrics.  This song has a good pace to it.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  There is some great music so far on this record.

Slave

I really love the guitar work at the beginning of the song.  The drums and bass are pretty solid too.  I love the guitar work when Geoff Tate comes in singing.  Once again, I am not fan of the lyrics and singing, however, it is better than the first few songs.  I am starting to see an ongoing theme in  this record to me.  There is some nice drumming towards the end of the song.

In The Hands Of God

I am not sure how I feel about the beginning of the song.  The guitar work is a little weird for Queensryche music.  I am not a fan of lyrics but his singing is pretty good.  I really do not like the back up vocals on this song.  The low to high singing is not working for this song.  I kind of like the guitar solo.  This is a bad song from start to finish.

Running Backwards

I like the guitar work and the drums and bass are pretty strong in this song.  Running Backwards has a nice start to the song.  I am not a fan once again of the lyrics.  It is a little better than the rest of the record.  It just seems like they put Tate’s vocals in the background to the rest of the band.  There is a nice guitar solo in the back half of the song.

Life Without You

Life Without You has a strong guitar and drumming work.  It calms down like old Queensryche.  I am not sure on how I feel about the drums and bass during the main riff.  I just feel the lyrics were rushed but this is the best set of lyrics on this record.  I do like the bass work towards the back half of the song.

Everything

Everything starts out with some nice piano work and almost like drum machine that Linkin Park would use in their music   The music seems so far in the background.  The guitar and bass are pretty good.  Geoff Tate has some good singing but the lyrics I could do without.   Tate sounds like he is singing in the metal box.  The chorus on this song is really good along with the lyrics.  I believe this is one of the better songs on the record.  The guitars on this record are too much in the front over the rest of the band.

Fallen

I love the drums and the guitar work at the beginning of the song.  I can hear but barely hear the second guitar solo.  I do not like the lyrics on this song.  The music is pretty solid on Fallen.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the back half of the song.  Please, do not sing over the guitar solo and it did not fit.  There are some songs it fits but not here.

The Weight Of The World

I love the acoustic guitar at the beginning of the song.  I can do without the reverb and delay on Tate’s vocals.  I kind of do not like his singing and melody.  Plus, on top of all this for being the last song the lyrics are pretty bad.  This song just seems too slow for everything that is going on in the song.  There is a pretty neat guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Re-record Hits

I Don’t Believe In Love

I really love this song and I get why bands re-record their hits.  I have to say this a really bad version of this song.  The guitar sounds too bright and Tate has too much reverb on his vocals.  It just seems so empty.  The back up vocals are bad.

Empire

The guitar seems different and drums are too bright.  I can barely hear the bass and once again Tate has reverb on his vocals.  It is not as bad as I Don’t Believe In Love.  The back up vocals are a little better on this song.  This is a pretty solid re recording of Queensryche classic song.

Jet City Woman

It is something with the studio where they recorded all these songs.  They seems so empty and the guitar solo seems a little different than the original.  Tate’s vocals are like the original but there is still too much reverb.  Towards the end of the song, it seems like kids are doing the back ground vocals with Tate.  This is bad version.

Silent Lucidity

It is something with the studio they are recording in because all these songs seems very empty and has a ton of holes in them.  This one seems ok and better than the rest of the songs.  Tate just seems like he is singing a little different in this version.  It is not good but it is far from the original song.  It is just another bad version.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.queensryche.com

Twitter:  @queensryche @geofftate

In closing, I am a huge fan of Queensryche and I was sad to hear they broke up.  I was excited to see each version come up with music.  I have to say this version of Queensryche is NOT Queensryche.  Sorry Tate!  I love your singing and I will still support you and your former band mates.  This record is Tate’s solo record and it is a shame that the Queensryche name is all over this record.  This hurts the brand than helps it.  I will say this is better than Tate’s first record. His second solo record was better than these two records. I have not heard the other version of Queensryche minus Tate.  Who knows that might be bad too.  The parts I have heard I am a little excited because the new singer sounds like a younger Tate.  Plus, I love the fact they are going back to the earlier records.  If this was a Tate solo record, I would have loved it and I still do to some point.  I have to block the name out to maybe it will grow to like this record.  There are some pretty good songs but there are too many fillers.  I believe Tate needs to take a year off from lyric writing and relax.  I believe he is over work and burn himself out.  Please, let me know what you think of this record.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Credit Source:  (I pick up the history part from wikipedia.)

New Music Monday Black Sabbath 13

In this special Music Monday blog, we are going to take a look at a record many of us have been waiting for in years.  We are talking about the new music from Black Sabbath.  This is the first new studio record from Black Sabbath with Ozzy as the lead singer in about 35 years.  I have to say this record has went over really well with everyone in the world.  This record went #1 in the first week in 50 countries.  Let us get into the history of this great pioneer metal band and then the music.

History

Black Sabbath was founded in 1968 under the name of Earth.  As they have learned later on they found there was another band under the same band name of Earth in England.  Earth changed their name to Black Sabbath in 1969 from 1963 horror movie Black Sabbath.  They wrote their most haunting and evil song after their band name.  Black Sabbath was signed to Warner Bros in the states.  They release their debut record of Black Sabbath in 1970.  The record companies push Sabbath back into the studio in June of 1970 to record their second record.  It was supposed to be called “War Pigs.”  Warner Bros changed the name to “Paranoid” and lead with the title track as their first single.    “Paranoid” was released in early part of 1971 and went to #2 on the music charts.  In the early part of 1971, the band enter the studio to record “Master Of Reality.”  Following the World Tour of “Master Of Reality,” the band took break from touring and recording.  However, in June 1972, the band was back in the studio recording “Vol. 4”, it would be released in later part of 1972.  In the summer of 1973, they enter the studio, which was a house outside of Los Angeles, to record “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.”  The record was released in the later parts of 1973 after a long and beat up time to come up with music and ideas for “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.’  Sabbath went on a World Tour for the year of 1974.  In the early part of 1975, the band started working on “Sabotage.”  It would be released in July 1975.   Also in 1975, the record company put out the band’s first greatest hit, which was called “We Sold Our Souls For Rock And Roll.”  In 1976, Black Sabbath added a keyboard player, who was Gerry Woodruffe, to their next record, which was “Technical Ecstasy.”    It was released on September 1976.  In 1977, Ozzy quits the band just before Sabbath was supposed to be entering the studio.  Dave Walker was brought in to replace Ozzy on vocals.  They performed live with their new song “Junior’s Eyes.”  Ozzy had a change of mind on leaving the band and wanted to rejoin the band in January 1978.  Ozzy was welcome back but all the new songs they wrote with Dave Walker had to be tossed because Ozzy could not sing those songs.  “Never Say Die!” was released later part of 1978 and it marked the last studio recording for Ozzy in Sabbath for a while.  The band return to LA area to start working on new songs but the band was doing too much drugs and drinking way too much.  Ozzy had no ideas and did not want to practice. Ozzy was busy getting drunk and doing drugs. Tony fired Ozzy and had Bill Ward his buddy and lead singer he was not the singer of Black Sabbath anymore.  The band went through several line up changes in the 1980’s.  Ronnie James Dio replace Ozzy on vocals and this was the most success the band had in the 1980’s.  They also had Ian Gillin, who was from Deep Purple fame, on “Born Again” record as the lead singer, which to this day it is cult classic.  Then the band had Tony Martin and Ray Gillan, who replaced Glenn Hughes.  Glenn Hughes was on the record “The Seventh Star.”  Glenn to this day still does not remember recording that record with Tony.  At this time in Sabbath, Tony was the only original member of the band.  This record was supposed to be Tony’s first solo record but the record company said no to the idea.  Finally, in 1997 Black Sabbath with all four original reunited for a tour on the Ozzfest.  They would play along the side of Ozzy’s solo band.  The band did several recordings in Europe for their live record called “Reunion” that was released 1998.  It also mark the first time in years that the band recorded new music in a studio with Ozzy.  They recorded three songs but only two made the live record.  In the spring of 2001, the band went into the studio with Rick Rubin to start working on new record with Ozzy on vocals but Ozzy was called away to finish up his solo record “Down To Earth.”  Black Sabbath reunited with the Heaven And Hell line up and toured with Dio.  The band later started to work on new songs for the new Black Sabbath.  The band released the new record, which was “The Devil You Know,” under the band name of Heaven And Hell.  The band toured the world until Dio received some bad new about his health.  Ronnie James Dio pasted away on May 2010 from stomach cancer.  The Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund is still active to this day and please support.  Rest In Peace Dio!  In November 2011, Black Sabbath reunites with Ozzy on vocals in the studio with producer Rick Rubin.  Bill Ward could not play the drums because of other things going on in his life.  There are several different stories out there about this situation.  Brad Wilk of Rage Against Machine was called in to play drums on the record.  “13” was released last week in the United States.  It has mark the first studio record from Black Sabbath in 18 years and the first with Ozzy in 35 years.  Let us get into the music!

Track List

End Of The Beginning

The classic dark dooming guitar riff from Tony at the beginning.  It is supported by some great drumming and bass playing.  This song reminds of something off the early Black Sabbath.  This is really creepy.  I love how Ozzy is singing over the guitar playing.  This song is extremely haunting and awesome.  I love the lyrics.  This is a great opening track to this great record.  I love the pick up towards the middle of the song.  I also love the fact that Ozzy has no effects on his vocals.  He also sounds really good on his singing.  Tony has a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I love how they let the drums and bass fill the spaces during the guitar solo.  I mean there is a rhythm guitar but it is not over the top like most rhythm guitars with the solo.

God Is Dead?

God Is Dead? is  the first single off this record.  Just like the opening track, this song is pretty creepy.  They have found the fountain of youth on this record so far.  I love the guitar work.  The drums and bass is pretty solid.  They have out did themselves on the music.  Once again, Ozzy has no effects on his vocals.  He sounds like old school Ozzy.  I love the pick up for the chorus and then the music pulls back to the background during the versus while Ozzy’s vocals are pushed forward over the music.  The band has written some great lyrics and music.  This is a great song for a single.  This record seems like it could be forty years old.  Tony has a great guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I love the time changes on this song.

Loner

I love the start to Loner with the solid guitar, drums, and bass.  This song seems like it would have been part of “Master of Reality” or “Vol. 4.”  This is classic Ozzy singing and lyrics.  I am really loving the fact there is no effects on his vocals.  I am really enjoying this guitar solo and I love the effects that are put on the Tony’s guitar.  Brad has done an awesome job on the drums.  Tony did a pretty good job on the ending guitar solo to finish up the song.

Zeitgeist

Tony has the Planet Cavern acoustic guitar sound going.  Bard playing the congas is a very nice touch.  This is the only time that Ozzy has effects on his vocals and it is perfect.  The bass is just right from one of the best in the business.  I love the lyrics on Zeitgeist.  Tony has some great guitar work towards the end of the song.  It is a nice touch for the song.

Age Of Reason

Brad has some awesome drumming and the bass and guitars are solid.  Ozzy is singing is solid and lyrics are really good.  I am loving the pace of this song.  I love how this song developed with the some keyboard action in the middle of the song.  I love the music on this song.  There is awesome guitar riffs throughout this song.  Tony puts together a pretty good guitar solo in the later parts of this song.  It has a perfect ending.

Live Forever

The guitar riff is pretty solid with the drums and bass at the beginning of  “Live Forever.”  The main riff is classic Black Sabbath.  Ozzy has his classic singing with some great lyrics.  Once again, it seems like this song could have been off one of their earlier records.  This is one of my favorite songs so far off this record.  Tony has a solid guitar  solo towards the back half of the song.

Damaged Soul

I love the sample or sound effects they use at the beginning of the song.  I love how the drums, guitar, and bass comes into the song.  The music is pretty solid.  Ozzy has some reverb on his vocals but it fits where they are taking this song.  Classic Tony’s guitar riff bleeds throughout this song.  I love the double vocals from Ozzy.  It gives you the crazy feeling that the song is trying to get out.  Tony has some pretty awesome guitar breaks and solos throughout this song.  The music is awesome on this song.  I am loving the ending guitar solo.

Dear Father

“Dear Father” is the final song off the record before we get into the bonus tracks from special edition from www.bestbuy.com.  There is classic Black Sabbath music and Ozzy singing and lyrics are solid.  I am loving the pace and the feeling on this song.  It is a perfect song to finish this comeback record.  Brad is killing it on the drums.  He is not Bill Ward but if someone told me Bill Ward played on this record, I would have believe them.  I love Ozzy’s melody on this song.  The rain storm is perfect and echoes the time in the past and the record that put them on the map.

Methademic

I love the start of this song.  Tony has a nice acoustic guitar riff.  It is a thinking music.  It then slams right into your face with the distorted and evil guitar riff.  The bass and drums are solid.  Ozzy is solid on his vocals and lyrics.  This song has a good pace to it.  Tony has an awesome guitar solo in the later part of the song.    It has a nice ending to the song.

Peace Of Mind

“Peace Of Mind” has an awesome guitar riff.  It is deep, dark, and thick.  Ozzy has some awesome singing and lyrics also on this song.  Brad drum beat is simple but it is to the point.  I love how the guitar and drums echo off each other.  I love how this song ends.  It is perfect.

Pariah

I love the beginning of Pariah.  There is an awesome main riff.  Bulter is all over that bass along with Tony’s guitar work.  Dear lord, this has to be the best song of the bonus tracks and maybe the record itself.  This has to be a song they never used back in the day.  This is a great song.  I love how they moved the guitar down to an acoustic in the later part of the song.  It goes back to distorted and Tony has guitar solo that fits this song.

Naivete In Black

“Naivete In Black” is the finally song from the bonus tracks and the record.  I love the fast pace of the song.  Ozzy has been pretty solid throughout this record.  The lyrics are done up really well.  I love the movements of the riffs.  Tony has a nice guitar break in the middle of the song.  I love the ending to this song and the riff going out.

Current Line Up

  • Ozzy Osbourne – Lead Vocals
  • Tonny Iommi – Guitars
  • Geezer Bulter – Bass

Special Guest Drummer

  • Brad Wilk – Drums

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.blacksabbath.com

Twitter:  @OfficialSabbath

In closing, I am glad Sabbath reunited and put out mind-blowing new record.  It seems like they never broke up and all the music between did not happen.  Geezer Bulter did a great job on the lyrics and bass playing.  Ozzy did a great job helping write the music and the singing.  Tonny Iommi was off the charts good on the guitars.  Brad Wilk from Rage Against The Machine was as close as you are going to get on drums to Bill Ward.  I was pretty sad to see Bill Ward was not playing drums on this record.  I do not understand why but I saw the reports and stories.  It is funny to think that Ozzy was picked on by Geezer and Tony in school would end up fronting one of the pioneers of metal music.  “13” was a solid record from start to finish that is including all the bonus tracks.  I do not know which one is my favorite or favorites.  I enjoyed listening to all the songs.  I am looking forward and hoping to hear more new music from this line up of Black Sabbath.   I highly recommend this record from the old school metal guys or the new to the music of metal.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Credit Source:  (I pick up the history part from wikipedia and some from stories I heard throughout the years.  Most came from Talking Metal and Eddie Trunk.)

New Music Monday Blog Aerosmith Music from Another Dimension!

In this Music Monday Blog, we are going to get into the latest and overdue record from Boston Legends known as Aerosmith.  Aerosmith’s last record was Honkin’ On Bobo which was released in 2004.  It has been twelve years for original music and that record was Just Push Play in 2001.  Aerosmith was founded in 1970 in Boston.  Aerosmith signed with Columbia Records in 1971 and in 1973 Aerosmith debut record hit the shelves.  Aerosmith is a really successful band in American history.  They have sold over 150 million records worldwide and 65.5 million in the United States.  Aerosmith was put in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2001 and listed in Rolling Stones 100 Greatest Artist Of All Time.  Aerosmith has put out 15 studio records, 5 live records, 11 greatest records, 68 singles, and 7 video records.  We are going to do the latest from this band and it is 15th record, which is called Music From Another Dimension!  Let us get into the music.

LUV XXX

There is a voice in the opening track.  It gives you an outer space type of feel and sets theme of this record from Aerosmith.  I am loving the drums, bass, and guitar work at the beginning of the song.  I am not liking the singing and effects on Tyler’s vocals.  I am not a fan of lyrics either.  The music is old school Aerosmith but the singing is something you would hear from Moroon 5.  The music kind sounds like Love In Elevator and melody.  I am love the guitar break from Joe Perry.  Joey Kramer still has it on the drums.  Great music but just bad lyrics on this song.  I hope this not a theme throughout this record.

Oh Yeah

Great drumming at the beginning of Oh Yeah, the guitar has a late 1970’s feel to it.  I am not too sure on the lyrics just like the opening track.  The music is pretty solid with a nice guitar break and then a little guitar solo from Joe.  I am not a fan of singing and lyrics.  This record is missing something and it feels like it was rushed even though they took forever to out this record.  I did like that ending to Oh Yeah.

Beautiful

What is up with the beginning of this song?  Come on stop reliving the rap days of Aerosmtih and Run DMC.  Steve you can not rap and same thing with the rest of your band members.  This song is really bad.  They should have put a rapper on this song.  It would have been a little better because the music is pretty solid.  I love the guitar solo from Joe.  I am glad there was a good solo at least.  So far this is the worse song out there and on this record.

Tell Me

I am love the beginning of this song.  It has nice singing from Steve and acoustic.  Please cut off the reverb on Steve’s vocals.  You are not the greatest singer in the world but you do hold your own.  I did not like how the drums came into Tell Me.  I am kind of liking the lyrics on Tell me.  This is a pretty solid song.  So far this is beyond the best song on the record.  This is what I am looking from this legendary band.

Out Go The Lights

Out Go The Lights has a some solid guitar and drumming that echoes some from their earlier work.  Joey has some solid drumming and bass playing from Brad.  The lyrics are pretty good too.  Steve is singing like he did in the past.   Is this record turning period in the right direction after the first three bad songs? Joe has a solid guitar break in the first quarter part of the song.  This is a pretty solid song.  It has well written in every part of this band.  I am loving the back up singing too.  There was a great stop and the start-up from the drums.  Joey then rides the cow bell into sunset.  The back half of the song has some nice trade-off from all the guys in the band while Steve just chills in the background.  There is a nice touch on the fade out of the music for the ending.

Legendardy Child

This song sounds like something off Get A Grip or Just Push Play.  There is a solid start to the song.  I am enjoying the lyrics and guitar work.  The drums and bass are right there up to Aerosmith standards.  So far, Aerosmith has turn the corner on this record.  This is another good song.  Joe has a great guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I like the ending of Legendary Child.

What Could Have Been Love

This is the first Ballard on this record.  I like Steve’s singing and Joey and Joe’s playing on this song.  The lyrics are well written.  I do enjoy their ballads in the past so this one lives up to those songs.  Joey has some great drumming on this song.  There is some great melody.  I just feel this song does not need back up singing.  This is a great song.  I love the ending to the song.

Street Jesus

Street Jesus start out with a sample from the street and the guitar comes in.  It is an average to below average guitar riff.  Steve’s singing is average.  I have heard better from this band.  The main part of the song is Ok.  I really not liking this song.  The title is a little cheesey.  I like the drum beat and the bass playing on Street Jesus.  I could do without the rest of the members on this song.  I really do not like what they did at the end of the song.  At least Joe has a great guitar break and solo in the middle of the song and it sounds like the two guitar players are trading off solos.   I could not finish listening to this song that how bad it was for me.

Can’t Stop Loving You (feature with Carrie Underwood)

Here is another Ballard song on this record.  Steve and Carrie are a good fit on this song.  Their voices and vocals fit perfectly together.  This song has a nice pace to it.  I love how they bend together.  I am also liking the music.  It has a little country touch to it and it is not because Carrie is singing on this song.  Please, cut the reverb off Steve’s voice.  This is a well written song and it is one of my favorites so far on this record.  I love the fade out of the song at the end.

Love Alot

I love the drum action at the beginning.  There is some great music but the lyrics are a little weak again.  I am enjoying the melody that Tyler has on Love Alot.  I just feel there could be better lyrics than the ones that are on this song.  I just feel he is singing the same thing over and over.  I know there are different words but it echoes too much.  I really did not like the ending of the song.

We All Fall Down

The start of We All Fall Down has some singing with piano work which is well written.  Steve has a nice melody and is singing great.  Here is another slow song and the lyrics are average.  They are livable to what I have heard on this record.  To be honest, drums and bass are great on the song but Aerosmith could live without them on this song.  I am loving the guitar riff on this song but really do not need them.  It might make more sense towards the end of the song for the guitar, bass, and drums.  I really not a fan of the ending.

Freedom Fighter

Freedom Fighter has a great bass, guitar, and drum working.   I am not a fan of the singing and the lyrics.  This is pretty bad song.  I really love the music on this song but I could do without the lyrics and singing.  I do not know where they came up with this song.  To me, this is not Aerosmith.  Is this a Joe Perry solo song that he brought over to Aerosmith? I know he has done that in the past and had some success with it.  This song does fall short but I love the ending of the song.

Closer

I love the effects on the guitar at the beginning and a well written riff.  I love the blues singing from Steve.  It fits the feeling of the song and the theme.  The music is pretty good and nice blues guitar solo between versus.  I am also enjoying the lyrics.  It has a pretty solid ending to the song.

Something

The beginning sounds like something from a hockey game and video game.  I am enjoying the guitar playing.  Joe sounds like Gene Simmons after a bender.  He did get better as the song went on but please Joe play the guitar and do back up vocals.  You are not a lead singer.  I do not know how I feel towards this song.  It has a pretty good ending.

Another Last Goodbye

I am enjoying the piano and flute playing at the beginning.  Steve singing is pretty good also and with some really good lyrics.  Steve is singing his heart out on this song.  This is a great song to end this bad record.  Please, do not get me wrong there are some gems on this record.  Damn!  Steve really hit it on this song.  His singing is the best I have heard from him in a long time.  I have to be honest this song could be shorter.  The lyrics getting pretty boring as the song goes on with the singing at the very end of the song.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.aerosmith.com

Twitter:  @aerosmith

Closing out, I will be really honest on this record.  Is there are some good songs and gems on this record?  Yes, there is but they are not great song or up to Aerosmith’s standards.  I feel they cut them short on many of these songs.  I just feel this record is missing something.  Is the band getting along and are they talking about their music?  I just feel they are not talking to one another.  Two summer ago, Aerosmith almost replace Steve Tyler as lead singer.  I do not know how much of that put into this release.  I just know they have been working on this record for a while.  I am glad they are still together.  I am glad they are touring and I might have to see them this upcoming summer.  I saw them at Tiger Stadium with Kiss and Slavia.  It was one of the best shows I saw that year.  I believe that is the last time I was in Tiger Stadium.  Well to wrap this up, I have to say just because I did not like this record and dogged on it.  It does not mean you will not like it.  We as music fans have a ton of chances to listen to the record before we buy it.  Just what I said there are some good songs.  I just feel there are too many filler songs to get this record out to the people.  Let me know your thoughts.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser