Late Review: George Strait "Here For A Good Time"

I thought I would start out this week with a late review of George Straits new album "Here For A Good Time". I decided to do this after all before I dig into the new releases coming out tomorrow Nov. 1.

The king of country is back with a new album and he comes out of the gate swinging! And that's a Texas size swing! Country swing of course! In the past decade George has released 7 studio albums including his new release "Here For A Good Time". I must admit, I have yet to listen to his last release "Twang". But I have listened to the other 6 albums and I have to say, George has never made a bad album. He is a rare artist in that he sticks to his sound and continues to deliver great country music album after album. There isn't a single person that can have anything bad to say about his albums. Unless of course you just hate country music altogether. George Strait's albums may not get huge promotions anymore or really get the attention they deserve and honestly if your not a fan of country music or a fan of George Strait, You're likely to hear about Miranda Lambert, Lady Antabellum, Carrie Underwood and newer more modern country artists albums before you'll hear about George Stait's new albums and thats if you hear about it at all. But make no mistake, his albums are completely worthy of huge promotion and attention!

In his latest album, George Strait writes his trademark upbeat swingin' songs with "Here For A Good Time" and "Love's Gonna Make It Alright" and even some classic slow tunes with "House Across The Bay" and "Dinkin' Man". George Also does a duet with Gary Allen on "A Showman's Life". He even wrote a song for his fans called "I'll Always Remember You" in which midway through the song he talks to his fans saying
"When I first set out on the road,
I figured I had maybe 5 good years to sing my songs for you folks.
Well, it's goin on 30 now
And I still love it just as much as I ever did.
When I hear that announcer say my name,
And I walk through those curtains
And see your smilin' faces,
My feet don't touch the ground again
Til I walk out and get back on that bus that got me here.
I don't know how many more years I've got left to do this,
But I figure a few.
I do want you to know, though,
That when I do walk off this stage for the last time,
And I'm all settled in, away from all this,
You won't be far away.
I'll still hear your screams and cheers in my mind.
And I'll always remember you".


A very moving song for the fans of this longtime country music artist. It's real nice to hear George give back to his fans in a song. George makes his fans feel very appreciated for supporting him throughout his 30 plus year career. If you listen to just one country album this year make it George Strait's "Here for a good time." This 50 plus number one artist has yet to fade into the sunset and when he does his music will live on for generations to come. No one will ever get tired of George Strait. He truly is the king of country music and "Here For A Good Time" proves just that! 


Favorite tracks: "Love's Gonna Make It Alright", "Here For A Good Time", "House Across The Bay", "I'll Always Remember You"

Primus - "Green Naugahyde" Review

Primus makes a grand return with "Green Naugahyde". For those of you who are new to the world that is Primus please keep in mind that you need to have and keep an open mind when listening to Primus. Remember the whole 70's funk music craze? Primus's bass player Les Claypool is well known for his funky bass playing and incorporates the whole funk bass even more so than normal into the music of "Green Naugahyde". Les Claypool and longtime Primus guitarist Larry LaLond reunited with original Primus drummer, Jay Lane for the new album. If you want to get to know the earlier music of Primus and Les Claypool, I recommend checking out their second album "Sailing The Seas Of Cheese". Recommended songs: "Jerry Was A Race Car Driver", "Tommy The Cat" & "Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers". However, Les Claypool as well as others have referred to the new album "Green Naugahyde" as sounding much more like Primus's debut album "Frizzle Fry". Recommended song on "Frizzle Fry": "John The Fisherman".  

Now that you've been brought up to speed in the world of Primus and while still keeping an open mind, you can slowly start digging yourself into "Green Naugahyde". In order to fully understand and appreciate "Green Naugahyde", it's recommended that you understand & appreciate to some degree the wacky funk bass styling's of funkmaster Les Claypool. For newcomers to the world of Primus, you may find "Green Naugahyde" hard to swallow if this is your first Primus album. The album really isn't all that commercially accessible nor does it fit well into mainstream music which is why Primus IS Primus. However, longtime Primus fans may really appreciate this album for it's "getting back to basics" approach and really going back to their roots of which very few artists ever do. Open minded bass players will really enjoy Claypool's amped up funkiness on the new album. "Green Naugahyde" serves up a more than generous helping of Les Claypool's funky bass as well as funky guitars and the very funky drumming of Jay Lane. You can really hear Jay Lane's funky drumming influence on the new album compared with previous works under Tim "Herb" Alexander (1989–1996, 2003–2010) and Bryan "Brain" Mantia (1996-2000). Overall, "Green Naugahyde" is worthy of the Primus name and catalogue. Claypool and company deliver a genuine funky work of art you can really sink your brain into. If your ready to expand your mind and experience a whole new experience then dive into the world that is "Green Naugahyde".

Jane's Addiction - "The Great Escape Artist" Review

For those that don't know who Jane's Addictions is, they are a 90's alternative band currently comprised of Dave Navarro (Guitar), Perry Farrell (Vocals), Stephen Perkins (Drums), Chris Chaney (Bass) and have done such catchy alternative songs as "Jane Says", "Been Caught Stealing", and "Just Because". If your still having trouble knowing who Jane's Addiction is, here's another clue: Dave Navarro co-hosted the tv reality show Rockstar: INXS and Rockstar: Supernova. He also was a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers For one album as well as performed on the popular song from the Beavis and Butthead Do America movie "Love Rollercoaster" and has his side band The Panic Channel.

Now that you remember who Jane's Addiction is, let's move on to their new album. Jane's Addiction reunited once again for the new album "The Great Escape Artist". But this time without original bassist Eric Avery. Ex-Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver, and Loaded bass player Duff Mckagan briefly joined Jane's Addiction for  6 months and contributes to the songs "Broken People", "Words Right Out of My Mouth," and "Ultimate Reason" afterwhich Chris Chaney takes over bass duties for the rest of the album. You can really here Duff's influence on the song "Words Right Out of My Mouth" as well as the other two songs. The bass playing on "Words Right Out of My Mouth" is really noticeable and you can tell right away it was duff's work! With that being said, the song rocks as do the other two songs.

The album as a whole isn't classic Jane's Addiction BUT it's damn good! The band shows it's maturity from their almost childish punk days. The first single "Irresistible Force" is one of my favorite songs on the album. The song sounds like a science project and would fit really nicely as the theme to The Discovery Channel. It incorporates what sounds like orchestra music with an eerie guitar work to provide a really epic song! "The Great Escape Artist" sounds like Pink Floyd on crack! Much of the album has a bit of underlining Pink Floyd influence but the band revs it up for some heavy guitars, some orchestra perhaps?, grinding bass, and killer drums to provide what I believe is one of Jane's Addiction's best albums to date! It's like hearing a Pink Floyd album or a Led Zeppelin album but done in Jane's Addiction's interpretation. It's that momentous and monumental of an album. Don't be fooled by the 4 and a half stars. Like I said this isn't classic Jane's Addiction. Take the hint? But nonetheless it deserves a whole lotta credit! Definitely one of my favorite albums of 2011 and deserves to be on your playlist! A must have for any Jane's Addiction fan!


Favorite tracks: "Irresistable Force", "Words Right Out Of My Mouth", "Underground", "Curiosity Kills"

Guitar World Interview: Slash - 1992

GuitarWorld.com - Slash talks guitars and G N' R

I thought I'd share this really cool article I found on www.guitarworld.com. It's titled "Slash Talks Guitars and Guns N' Roses in 1992 Guitar World Interivew". I particularly liked this article not only cause it's Slash but because of what he has to say in it. One point I wanted to mention that Slash talks about in the article is about the way he plays guitar. Slash is very open and candid about how he plays. The way he talks about his own playing (such as the fact that he can't play slide guitar to save his life) and what we see not only on albums he makes but in live shows seem to be two different Slash's. I love the fact that he is willing to admit he can't do this or do that or just won't do this or that when playing the guitar and yet he is still one of the most respected guitarists. In my experience, in these modern times, I have found that most musicians won't tell you they can't play this or that and in a band they expect you to be able to do it all (in a sense). If you can't do a (not so) simple thing such as reading music, most bands don't want you. Musicians have just gotten so snobby nowadays and its great to see one musician that hasn't become snobby.

Anyways, here is the article for your enjoyment. Click the picture or the picture caption to take you to the Guitar World article.

Machine Head - "Unto The Locust" Review

Side note before the review: I've never really listened to Machine Head before this album. I did however see them in concert on the Mayhem Festival Tour 2008 and they were awesome! One of the best shows that night! However, I knew none of their songs but it was still awesome! So my review comes from being sort of an outsider hearing their music really for the first time and being very pleased with the new album!

Now onto the review: Machine Head's new album "Unto The Locust"  is perfect in terms of a metal album and honestly this album makes me wonder why I never listened to them before. I don't know about their previous works but this album sounds a lot like Trivium or rather Trivium sounds a lot like Machine Head. Which is a good thing as I love Trivium. Nonetheless, I will be checking out some of their earlier works and play catch-up in the world of Machine Head! I will say this, I don't think Machine Head really gets the promotion it should from Roadrunner Records. They are kinda like Roadrunner's underground band cause Machine Head rarely gets mentioned in mainstream music or played on mainstream radio. However, they do play at mainstream festivals and shows and that's really where they get their promotion but it's to a limited audience of those who attend the shows.

If you're into metal music, then I would highly recommend checking this album out! It is easily one of the best if not THE best metal album of 2011! Machine Head is a powerful force in the world of metal music. So emerse yourself into what is "Unto The Locust". You won't be disappointed!

Favorite tracks: "Be Still And Know", "Locust", "Who We Are".

No tatts for Mustain

Posting from my Facebook page:

Wow I learned something new today. Megadeth's frontman Dave Mustain has no tattoos because as he believes "I don't think you should put a bumper sticker on a Mercedes Benz". That's thinking highly of ones self and being very vain! Just in case you think I'm b.s.ing, check this out. In the video he explains it.

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/EXCLUSIVE--The-History-Of-Vic-Rattlehead-23558.aspx?utm_source=Exact%2BTarget&utm_medium=EX%2B%28Vic%2BRattlehead%29&utm_campaign=EX%2B%28Vic%2BRattlehead%29

Goes to show that you can still be baddass without all the ink! 

Thanks to www.roadrunnerrecords.com for the awesome article on the history of Vic Rattlehead.

EXCLUSIVE - The History Of Vic Rattlehead

www.roadrunnerrecords.com

Story by Ryan Downey<br /><br /><strong>Iron Maiden</strong>'s beloved "Eddie," <strong>Motörhead</strong>'s iconic "warpig" symbol, <strong>Danzig</strong>'s instantly recognizable skull - no discussion of heavy metal mascots is complete without mention of <strong>Vic Rattlehead</str…

Limp Bizkit - "Gold Cobra" Review

I posted this via my Facebook page on 10/16/11 (Additional comments in blue):

OK, finally the album review of "Gold Cobra" By Limp Bizkit. Sorry for the delay ya'll. So after listening to the album, it is VERY apparent that the first half of the album from the first track "Introbra" to the seventh track "Douche Bag" sounds VERY much like "Significant Other". Then they head right into the second half of the album from the eighth track "Walking Away" to the thirteenth and final track "Killer In You" which sounds VERY much like "Chocolate Starfish and The Hot Dog Flavored Water". While of course providing hints of "Three Dollar Bill Ya'll" & "Results May Very" amongst all the tracks. Favorite tracks being "Douche Bag", 'Walking Away', "Loser", & "Shark Attack". However, small side note: "Shark Attack" sounds oddly like "Break Stuff". Overall if you like Limp Bizkit, you will definitely be pleased with this album. It's definitely a return to the Wes Borland days of Pure, unadulterated rap/nu metal that is Limp Bizkit. But It's by no means a full return the days of "Three Dollar Bill Ya'll". So for those of you who really only like the "Three Dollar Bill Ya'll" Limp Bizkit sound, you may be disappointed in "Gold Cobra". Limp Bizkit a has been act? Not if "Gold Cobra" has anything to say about it. May not be the greatest album for a comeback but its decent enough for Limp Bizkit.

I then posted this via my Facebook page 10/16/11:

Is it wrong to feel oddly weird and strange for still liking Limp Bizkit or even for having liked them at all? I mean despite what many people say about Fred Durst being a douche bag and Limp Bizkit being a crap metal band, I always thought they were good and have done some really good music. And I know I am one of the very few people who actually liked the album "Results May Vary" and probably one of the very few who like the new album.

Favorite tracks: "Shark Attack", "Walking Away", "Loser".

So it looks like a positive return for Limp Bizkit if they want to take it. If Limp Bizkit wants to return to it's hey-day glory, it needs to first shut up all the haters of this band as they really can kill any momentum Bizkit may have. I am however, definitely psyched about the return of Wes Borland! Without Wes, no one pays attention to Limp Bizkit, no matter how good they still are without him as evident on "Results May Very". Kudos to Wes for making a return!

Vanilla Ice - "WTF" Review

I posted the album review via my Facebook page on 10/16/2011 (additional comments in blue):

REALLY!?!?! Vanilla Ice has a new album?!?! Ok so it peeked my curiosity and I am all prepared for curiosity killing me just like it killed the cat lol. So I downloaded the album and he does a collab with I.C.P. Wierd song. Also collabs on 2 songs with Cowboy Troy. I have to say it is a very mature album but interesting. None of the Ice Ice baby stuff. More hardcore rap kinda like Eminem without the weird rapping. All I can say is you have to check it out for yourself to understand. That is if your curious.

My rating of the album is because maybe in underground hip hop/rap it may gain some mention and play but in mainstream music there will never be any mention of this other than to say it came out in 2011. Other than that I still feel that Vanilla Ice is a one hit has been wonder. Granted I do still like his "To The Extreme" album for nostalgic and memories purpose but I don't see him ever making a full comeback to stardom. Just as I don't ever see hip hop/rap returning to it's hey-day glory. People prefer good old Rock N' Roll to the crap that is rap/hip hop. My advice to you Mr. Rob Van Winkle is put down the mike, grab yourself a guitar or bass and kick the shit out of someone with a full blast of in your face American Rock N' Roll and heavy metal. Then maybe people will stop laughing at you and you won't be a one hit has been wonder. 

Nu music of 2011

I started listening to some new albums that have come out recently and posted some albums reviews via my Facebook page and some of my friends commented on them and those comments got me to wondering about the best albums of 2011, up coming albums that I'm looking forward too and even a couple albums I thought were insterestingly weird enough to see that deserved mention so I posted this to my Facebook page on 10/16/11 and am now reposting via my blog I decided to start:
"Listening to a few new albums that have come out. Loving all this new music right now! Does anybody have a favorite album of 2011? What would be your top 5 albums so far of 2011? Any notable mentions outside the top 5? What album releases are you looking forward to for the rest of the year?"

I also posted a comment with my answers (Any additions or revisions to my comments are posted in blue):
My top 5 albums so far for 2011 are:
1. Born This way - Lady Gaga
2. I'm With You - Red Hot Chili Peppers
3. The Hunter - Mastodon
4. American Capitalist - Five Finger Death Punch
5. Evanescence - Evanescence

Notable albums to mention that fall outside the top 5 (In no particular order):
1. Night Of Hunters - Tori Amos
2. Welcome 2 My Nightmare - Alice Cooper
3. In Waves - Trivium
4. Nothing But The Beat - David Guetta
5. Here For A Good Time - George Strait
6. Green Naugahyde - Primus
7. Paper Airplane - Alison Krauss
8. This Is Gonna Hurt - SIXX A.M.
9. The Fall - Gorillaz
10. Alpocalypse - "Weird Al" Yankovic (Wird Al always deserves mention. he's just that cool)
11. Stronger - Sara Evans
12. Unto The Locust - Machine Head

A couple albums I noticed on the List of albums released in 2011 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_albums_released_in_2011) That deserve mention for being interestingly weird to see:
1. WTF - Vanilla Ice - Really?!?! the Ice is back?!?! Do we really need to see him again. On the plus side he does a song with I.C.P. so that could be a good thing. Yeah right!
2. Gold Cobra - Limp Bizkit - Yes Limp Bizkit is back. I know, they will yet again take the heat for as Zakk Wylde says during the live version of the song "Superterrorizer", "Limp Bizkit still sucks dick". I didn't put this in the notable Albums list because well after all who cares about Bizkit anymore. On the plus side the original guitarist Wes Borland is back in the lineup! So The Bizkit looks to be getting back on track. After Wes left, Limp Bizkit went out of style. I will have to take a listen to the new album and may revise my notable albums list but I'm not holding my breath and I didn't even really hear any promotion for Limp Bizkit coming back so apparently looks like the album isn't all that. I had to actually look up Limp Bizkit on the wiki to see what the hell happened to them and found out about the new album otherwise I would have never known! Great job making a comeback Fred!

Upcoming albums I'm looking forward to:
1. Stronger - Kelly Clarkson
2. The Great Escape Artist - Jane's Addiction
3. Here and Now - Nickelback
4. Four the Record - Miranda Lambert
5. Lulu - Lou Reed and Metallica
6. TH1RT3EN - Megadeth
7. The Lost Children - Disturbed
8 Untitled - Van Halen (slated for release in 2011 and according to wikipedia apparently has been recorded but no official announcement on title or release date.)
9. Untitled - No Doubt (Possible fall 2011 release or 2012 according to wikipedia)
10. Untitled - Rage Against The Machine (According to Wikipedia, de la Rocha said a new album is in the works for a possible 2011 release. Morello later said no new album is being done and their not even writting songs or doing any kind of work on an album. So one can be hopeful that RATM is really working on a surprise album!)
11. Born and Raised - John Mayer (Wikipedia - originally slated for october 2011 release, Mayer developed granulomas in his throat near his vocal cords and the album is being delayed and Mayer expects it out early 2012)

Sorry not looking forward to the new Korn album. In recent years they have continued there trend towards a more electronic sound (Dubstep) or as fans call it "Dub Metal" and I just can't get into it. They have just strayed from there classic nu-metal sound and its rather irritating. Even tho they still can put on the best metal concert on earth!

There ya have it.. my picks for 2011 music! Enjoy!

Red Hot Chili Peppers - "I'm With You" Review

From My Facebook page 10/15/11: 
New song "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" & New album "I'm With You" by Red Hot Chili Peppers and Gotta say, I really like this song as well as the album! BUT, yes, BUT, Their new album sounds like they are trying to do what No Doubt did with there Rock Steady album. Go in a funky discoesque style and direction and they leave their roots down at the junkyard. This sounds nothing like old school RHCP as it is slower songs and not the fast funky punk stuff we know from Flea and RHCP. It's kinda disappointing but yet it's catchy and I'm hooked on the album! Yes I know it came out in August and I'm a tad late on listening to it. Oh well you'll get over it!

Favorite tracks: "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie", "Monarchy of Roses", "Ethiopia"

                                           

Evanescence - "Evanescence" review

"Evanescence" dives into what is some of Evanescence's best work and doesn't disappoint. I've heard some fans of Evanescence's first two albums say that the new album just doesn't really live up to those albums. But in my opinion, I would say your all wrong. And I will say this, just like I say this about a lot of bands who people start complaining that they don't sound like their first few albums, You have to give the album a chance and understand that bands grow up and mature, just like we as humans do. We go from being a baby to being a kid to being a teenager to being an adult. And along the way we grow up and mature. I think this album will stand the test of time and people will look back on it in 5, 10 years and longer and see that it really was some of Evanescence best work.

Favorite tracks: "What You Want", "My Heart Is Broken", & "Sick".

From my Facebook post 10/15/2011:
Wicked awesome song! New song "What You Want" By Evanescence off there new album "Evanescence". I love this album and feel like its some of there best work to date. They continue to evolve and do what they do best. I think this album stays right in line with what is Evanescence. They have not strayed from the path!