Coheed and Cambria - Year of the Black Rainbow

New York's finest Coheed and Cambria are back with their latest album, Year of the Black Rainbow. All of Coheed's previous efforts were concept albums embedded in a storyline called The Amory Wars. Their last album, 2007's No World For Tomorrow was the last chapter in that unfolding saga. This album is a prequel to that saga, showcasing Coheed and Cambria's tremendous and unique talent of telling a story through intricately crafted songs that describe a deeply enthralling storyline.

The album kicks off with one the disc's epic tracks, "The Broken" a hard edged, melodic rocker that features lead singer Claudio Sanchez's powerful and captivating vocals that pound through the speakers with great fury and intensity and captures the emotional essence of the song perfectly. "Guns of Summer" bumps it up a notch with furious guitar patterns and non-stop drums that make this song one of the standouts on a very rich and dynamic album. The album's first single, "Here We Are Juggernaut" is an epic and bombastic opus that makes dynamic use of the instrumentation at hand to create a standout piece that weaves the storyline into the song to create a unique and fulfilling listening experience that you just can't find anywhere else. "This Shattered Symphony" evokes the sounds of Led Zeppelin with Claudio's powerful vocals carrying the song to a whole new stratosphere and the epic guitars and pounding drums just add to the experience here on the album.

The album's second half starts off with my personal favorite track off the album, "World of Lines" a fast paced, melodic rocker that never stops until the very end with its resourceful guitars and blistering drums allowing the song to coast along with ease, "Made Out of Nothing (All That I Am)" is a slightly toned down effort with the guitars toned down a notch to give the listener a little variety along the way. "Pearl of the Stars" is an acoustic inspired tune that best showcases Claudio's beautiful and inspirational vocals that are revealed in its purest form right here. A totally unexpected surprise that might not be familiar territory for the prog-rockers, but they conquer it quite well on this track.

The album's last two tracks are "When Skeletons Live" a mid tempo, melodic rocker that teeters on the edge of becoming a fast paced tune but finds a comfortable balance to bring the best of both worlds together in one cohesive track. The album's title track does an excellent job of describing the whole storyline of the album through song and wraps up the whole album with a bevy of synthesized guitars and powerful drums, bringing everything together to create a synopsis of the album in one cohesive song. Coheed and Cambria have created a well constructed work of art here that bridges the gap between music and art. Some detractors out there might think they're trying to be Pink Floyd or The Mars Volta, but in my opinion they're light years apart from those bands and have created a universe all their own here with this epic saga. The deluxe edition of this album includes a 352 page novel penned by Claudio and author Peter David.

In retrospect, a well conceived and thought out effort that wraps up Coheed and Cambria's epic storyline with a prequel that shows their evolution from obscure little known band to prolific prog-rock pioneers and also shows that they aren't afraid to break the rules when it comes to combining music with a underlying narrative.

                                                                                                                         Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. One
2. The Broken
3. Guns of Summer
4. Here We Are Juggernaut
5. Far
6. This Shattered Symphony
7. World of Lines
8. Made Out of Nothing (All That I Am)
9. Pearl of the Stars
10. In the Flame of Error
11. When Skeletons Live
12. The Black Rainbow 

Where Are They Now?

This week I'm taking a break from reviewing albums and presenting to you a special feature entitled Where Are They Now?

Have you ever wondered what happened to your favorite artists from way back when? You know, the artist that had that one big hit you remember hearing on the radio over and over, then you never heard from them again? Well I'm going to give you the scoop of what happened to your favorite musical artists of yesterday and what they are up to right now! I've picked four artists from the 1990's who have dropped off the musical radar completely, some are still involved in music while others have gone off to do other projects! And now, here we go!

Who: Semisonic
Best known for: Closing Time

Semisonic formed in Minneapolis, MN in 1995. They released their full length debut Great Divide in 1996 to very little fanfare. Their mainstream breakthrough didn't come until 2 years later in 1998 when they released their sophomore effort, Feeling Strangely Fine. The album produced the monster hit, "Closing Time", which had a 5 week reign at #1 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in the summer of 1998. They released their next album All About Chemistry in 2001 which produced the hit single, "Chemistry", but was only successful overseas. The album was met with very little enthusiasm upon its release in the U.S.

Where Are They Now?

After their last album, the band went on an indefinite hiatus. Lead singer Dan Wilson has said in interviews of making more music with Semisonic in the future, but he said that his busy day to day life keeps putting that on the back burner for now.

Who: Gin Blossoms
Best Known For: Hey Jealousy

Gin Blossoms formed in Tempe, AZ in 1987. Their name was taken from a photo of W.C. Fields which bore the caption, "W.C. Fields with gin blossoms" referring to what appeared to be the actor's nose that was affected by gin, but was actually a skin condition known as rosacea, where the name Gin Blossoms originated from. Gin Blossoms released their debut album, New Miserable Experience in 1992. The album produced the hit, "Hey Jealousy" which peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100. Tragedy struck the band a year later when lead guitarist/songwriter Doug Hopkins committed suicide. A song that was written by him, "Found Out About You" also peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went to #1 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. They released their next album, Congratulations, I'm Sorry in 1996 which produced the Top 10 hit, "Follow You Down". In the spring of 1997, the band decided to part ways.

Where Are They Now?

After their breakup, each band member decided to do other musical side projects to keep themselves occupied for the time being. The band reformed in 2002, performing a couple of one-off shows around the U.S. The band released their next album, Major Lodge Victory in 2006, their first album in 10 years. The album debuted at #159 on the Billboard 200 album chart and the band continues to tour various locations across the country today.

Who: Fiona Apple
Best Known For: Criminal

Fiona Apple burst onto the music scene in 1996 with her debut album, Tidal. The album produced the hit single, "Criminal" which peaked at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #4 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. The album eventually went triple platinum subsequently after that. The video for the song featured a scantily clad Fiona cavorting with strangers, which generated a great deal of controversy with its provocative sexually charged imagery. Fiona again attracted controversy at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards when Fiona went on a tangent after accepting the Best New Artist trophy, telling the audience about "how you shouldn't model your life on what we think is cool, what we're wearing, and what we're saying." The irony here is that her video for "Criminal" reinforced the same celebrity fixation with both weight and appearance that Fiona herself had publicly condemned.

Fiona released her next album, When The Pawn... in 1999 which produced the minor hit, "Fast As You Can" and pushed the album to platinum sales status. Her next album, Extraordinary Machine commenced production in 2002 and continued on for about a year. Tracks from that album were later leaked onto the Internet, and the album was repeatedly delayed due to the record label feeling dissatisfied with the finished product. A fan led campaign called Free Fiona was started in support of the album's release. The album was eventually released in October 2005, debuting at #7 on the Billboard 200 album charts and eventually went gold. However, none of the singles managed to appear on any of the Billboard charts.

Where Is She Now?

After her tour in support of Extraordinary Machine wrapped in 2006, Fiona has made a collaboration with comedian Zach Galifanakis on a comedy track entitled "Come Over and Get It" and has made occasional concert appearances. No word yet as to whether she plans to record another album.

Who: Eve 6
Best Known For: Inside Out

Eve 6 formed in 1995 in La Crescenta, California. The band's name is inspired by the TV show The X-Files from a character named Eve #6. The band released their self titled debut in 1998, producing the monster smash, "Inside Out" which spent 4 weeks at #1 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. The album was propelled to platinum sales status shortly after that. The band released their follow up Horrorscope

Where Are They Now?

The members of the band moved on to other, short-lived side projects. Two-thirds of the band reunited in 2008 with a brand new guitarist, playing at a college show in Virginia. The band is planning to release a new album sometime in the near future, but a release date has not been confirmed as of yet.

So, there you have it folks! An update of some artists whose time in the spotlight has long since faded and have moved on to greener pastures. I'll be back next week with my regular album review and if you have any suggestions on what that album should be, leave a comment here on the blog or reach me on Facebook or Twitter and drop me a line!

MGMT - Congratulations

Brooklyn, NY's finest MGMT are back with their highly anticipated sophomore effort, Congratulations. The follow up to 2007's superb Oracular Spectacular finds the psychedelic duo of Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden completely abandoning the sound that was found on their predecessor for a more organic, raw effort that definitively captures the essence that is MGMT, and that makes for one of the best albums of 2010 so far.

The album kicks off with "It's Working", which has a distinct surf-rock feel to it which is largely depicted on the album's cover art, and that the album was recorded out in Malibu, CA which explains the ethereal, beachlike atmosphere on this track and totally defines their hippie-like persona that they seem to emulate both on the record and in person. "Song for Dan Treacy" is a melodic and musically diverse number that sounds like nothing they have done before with a variety of different instrumentation that is mind-boggling and is too much for me to list here. "Someone's Missing" is a total flashback track to the late 60's Woodstock era with its brilliant instrumentation and fun-loving vibes that are ever present on this track and all throughout the album. My favorite track on the album is "Flash Delirium", a electronic infused ditty that combines with the psychedelic rhythms to create a song that is nothing like any of their songs on their last album, most notably "Time To Pretend" and "Kids". It can best be described as an "anti-single".

As we continue on, we hear "Siberian Breaks", a mystical 12 minute opus that takes you on a trippy journey through calm, ethereal waves of electronic infused psychedelia and a bevy of instrumentation that will leave me rambling on for hours describing all the different sounds that are present on this track. "Brian Eno" is a fast paced, groovy rocker that offers up a little diversity on a predominantly psychedelic influenced album. Closing out the album, we hear "Lady Dada's Nightmare" a quiet, serene track that offers up a heavy dose of ambiance that allows the listener to take a break from all the heavy psychedelia heard so far and settle in a little with some similarly positive vibes. The album's title track closes out the disc on a high note with some surf-infused rhythms and pristine vocals from Andrew and Ben, who are at the top of their game on this one.

MGMT took a monumental risk on creating their second disc, as is with any band who are trying to recreate the same magic that made their debut album so successful. The band executed a very unique tactic for this album, as they released no singles to radio in advance of the album's release, although some radio stations have been spinning "Flash Delirium" in their daily rotation. It shows here that MGMT are not just that band who created the hit song "Kids", but a full fledged collective who are deviating from the norms of the music industry and creating an album that is representative of who they are and what they aspire to be, not some commodity of the record label that is only designed to recreate songs that are similar to their prior work.

All in all, a surprising and cohesive effort here from MGMT who have rewritten the formula for how a follow up album should be made, and have gone against the grain in terms for expectations from critics who thought that this album would be just like their last effort, but ultimately it's not. It'll be fascinating to see where MGMT is 5-10 years from now, possibly still evolving into a band that is constantly changing their sound with each album they make, but still retaining their distinct sound that has made them who they are today.

                                                                                                                             Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. It's Working
2. Song for Dan Treacy
3. Someone's Missing
4. Flash Delirium
5. I Found a Whistle
6. Siberian Breaks
7. Brian Eno
8. Lady Dada's Nightmare
9. Congratulations

As an added bonus, here is the video for "Flash Delirium"! Hope you like it!

Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures

The side project known as Them Crooked Vultures have released their much buzzed about debut album. You might recognize a few familiar names from this group based out of Los Angeles, CA. The super group is fronted by Josh Homme of Queens of The Stone Age with Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and Led Zeppelin bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones on board as well. Judging by the overall sound of the album, this is definitely a full fledged group effort and not just a one-off side project.

The album opens up with "No One Loves Me & Neither Do I", a gritty and melodic hard rock opus that features Josh's familiar and rhythmic vocals pouring through every crevice of the song. "Mind Eraser, No Chaser" features Josh's fantastic guitar work that is leaps and bounds ahead from the music he had created in Queens of The Stone Age. My favorite song off the album is the disc's first single "New Fang", an extremely melodic and gritty tune that highlights Dave's legendary drum skills that he perfected when he was a member of Nirvana. A solid tune all around and one that best encapsulates the spirit of the album as a whole.

As the album rolls along we hear "Elephants",  a fast paced, non-stop fury of guitars and drums that has slow, melodic interludes in between each hardcore breakdown to allow the listener to take notice of the musical characteristics that are present in this tune. "Scumbag Blues" features some intricate guitar riffs set amongst a backdrop of furious drums that all adds up to an exquisite listen. "Bandoliers" is a mid-tempo melodic blast that has a toned down edge to it that makes it different from all the other songs on the album.

As we near the home stretch, we discover "Warsaw or The First Breath You Take After You Give Up", a simple, straight-forward rocker that again features Josh's dazzling vocal harmonies and masterful drum work. John Paul Jones' keyboard skills are also a particular highlight of this track. "Gunman" is a fiercely melodic tune that sets the bar pretty high from the get-go and never lets up until the very end with its fiery guitar riffs and Josh's piercing vocals once again taking charge on this one. I'm always a bit skeptical about side projects because I don't know if the principal members of the band intend to return to their original bands after they complete an album or whether it's a permanent fixture. With Them Crooked Vultures, they have a distinct sound that is nothing like their counterparts have created and blends together the sounds of all three bands they were in prior to joining this group, and this shows that they are a full time band, not just a side project.

All in all, a splendid and well constructed effort that brings together three musicians you never thought you would see together in a band, and completely smashes the perception on rock supergroups and proves that this is a band we'll be hearing from a lot more in the future.

                                                                                                                               Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. No One Loves Me & Neither Do I
2. Mind Eraser, No Chaser
3. New Fang
4. Dead End Friends
5. Elephants
6. Scumbag Blues
7. Bandoliers
8. Reptiles
9. Interlude With Ludes
10. Warsaw or The First Breath You Take After You Give Up
11. Caligalove
12. Gunmen
13. Spinning In Daffodils

BREAKING NEWS!! Aaron Gillespie Leaves Underoath!!

Hey everyone!

This news just came in over the wire. Aaron Gillespie, drummer for the band Underoath, has announced on his Tumblr page that at the conclusion of their current European tour, he will part ways with the band. He says that there is no bad blood between him and the other members of the band, and that this was an agreed upon band decision that came about recently. Here is the official statement from his Tumblr page:

"I am more then aware the the news you have heard of seems rash, and probably hasty. I wanted to be able to write a few thing down here to maybe help you understand a bit, or at least clear up the rumor mill before it starts grind like a mo fo'.




1. Underoath and i have parted ways. Yes that is a true statement. There is no bad blood, there is no anger, i was in that band for eleven years, i love every person with my whole heart, i love the music we made together, the shows we played and the good times we had. People change, times change, and sometimes change just comes hunting for you.



2. Yes i will continue to play in the almost. I will also play acoustic, as well as speak and do other musical/ ministry type things.



3. Yes underoath will remain a band, yes without me.



4. I really still love you, alot.



5. I am still giving drum lessons, all your appointments will be honored and kept.



6. Everything you read here is true, regardless of what your friends or internet connection might tell you.



7. Its all good. listen to uo, listen to the almost if you want, times change, roll with the hurricane."

This is just another announcement of a lineup shuffle in a rock band in about a week. Just last week, I broke to you guys that longtime Taking Back Sunday members Matt Rubano and Matt Fazzi were out of the band and replaced with original members John Nolan and Shaun Cooper. What do you make of this sudden announcement from Aaron Gillespie and the Underoath camp? Feel free to post your comments here on the blog and tell me what you think!

King Midas Sound- Waiting For You

This week, I'm handling a viewer request for this weeks album review. This album was suggested to me by my friend Phil Mohr. Thanks for the tip Phil!

Waiting For You is the full-length debut effort from the duo known as King Midas Sound. King Midas Sound originate from London, England and have a sound all their own with influences of dub, dancehall, and other genres to create a sound that is radically different from all the other music currently out there.

The album starts off with "Cool Out", an ambient, laid back jam that has elements of reggae and dub music, adding to an overall pleasurable listening experience. The album's title track is another fine track, exemplifying the overall peaceful nature of the album that the duo set out to create. "One Ting" is a more melodic track with a more noticeable dub groove that allows the listener to experience a little variety in addition to the wide range of influences that have been heard on this album so far.

The album continues on with "Darlin'", another ambient, laid back jam that continues its quest to infuse the listener with some quality tunes that have something new to offer to the listener who might not be accustomed to this type of music. "Meltdown" has some subtle hip-hop influences mixed into this one, while "Goodbye Girl" offers up some ambient jams to allow the listener to settle in a little and enjoy the sounds.

My favorite track off the album is "Lost", a bombastic, rhythmic track that is a very enjoyable listen and one that shows the overall influences that make up the album and how they commingle with each other to create something unique and inspiring at the same time.

The album closes out with "Outta Space", which is a very fitting title for this track with its outer space influenced rhythms that is one of the more rhythmically appealing tunes on this album, and "Miles and Miles" is another peaceful and serene track that really showcases the overall feel and mood of the album. Sometimes we all need a break from a hectic week, whether it be from work or school, and this album has the solution for you to take a break from the ordinary and relax to some soothing and peaceful music.

Overall, an enjoyable listen and one that needs repeated listens in order to fully grow to love and appreciate. This album in particular is radically different from the genre of music that I regularly cover on the blog, but I'm glad I gave it a listen!

                                                                                                                               Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Cool Out
2. Waiting For You
3. One Ting
4. Earth a Killya
5. Darlin'
6. Meltdown
7. I Man
8. Blue
9. Goodbye Girl
10. Lost
11. Sumtime
12. Outta Space
13. Miles and Miles  

What albums would you like to see me review here on the blog? I'm still taking viewer requests, shoot me an e-mail at: amara02@gmail.com or get in touch with me on Facebook or Twitter. The links to those pages can be found on the right hand side of the blog. It doesn't matter the genre of music it is, if it's good, I'll give it a listen!!

BREAKING NEWS!! Matt Rubano and Matt Fazzi Leave Taking Back Sunday!!

Hey everyone!!

For those of you who may or may not know, a major bombshell came from Taking Back Sunday yesterday when it was announced that bassist Matt Rubano and guitarist Matt Fazzi are no longer in the group. On Taking Back Sunday's official website, Matt Rubano posted the following statement:

   "After seven years I'm sad to announce that I will no longer be playing the bass with Taking Back Sunday. I would like to thank Adam, Eddie and Mark for giving me this amazing opportunity that changed my life. I am proud of the music we made together and cherished every moment of it. And to Taking Back Sunday fans, there isn't anything I can say that will express the way I feel toward you. It's literally been a dream come true and you were the cast of that dream. I am happy to have met and befriended so many of you. I will miss you all."

Immediately after that, Matt Fazzi posted the following statement:

   "To everyone in the TBS family, it is with great sadness I am announcing today that I am no longer a part of Taking Back Sunday. The last 2 years with Taking Back Sunday have been beyond a dream come true, from touring and playing with bands that I really admire, to playing new places all around the world, to meeting and working with so many wonderful people along the way. It's something that I never once took for granted and that I will never forget. I want to thank Eddie, Matt, Adam and Mark for giving me the chance to play and make music with them, if even for a short while. We've accomplished a lot in a short time that I will forever be proud of. Thanks to everyone involved for making this such a beautiful experience for me, especially YOU, the fans. You have been so warm and receptive to me since I joined and for this I am forever grateful. As for me, I will continue on with my own music and I hope to see some of your smiling faces around soon."

While it hasn't been officially confirmed by the band, a photo has been posted on Taking Back Sunday's website indicating that former members John Nolan and Shaun Cooper are back in the band. What do you make of this news? Do you think this is a good move of the band? Do you think the members left on their own or do you think they were kicked out of the band? Leave your comments here on the blog and tell me what you think!

The Rocket Summer- Of Men and Angels

Bryce Avary, the mastermind behind the one-man band The Rocket Summer, has released his latest album entitled Of Men and Angels. The Fort Worth, TX native brings his vision of unbridled optimism into his music, which can be heard greatly both in his voice and in the lyrics to his songs. If you're looking for an album to get you out of an emotional rut, this album is a sure thing for you!

The album kicks off with "Roses", a high energy, bombastic track that is a combination of both acoustic and electric guitars which give the song a very unique sound and also gives us something we haven't heard before. The album's first single, "You Gotta Believe" is an extremely melodic and upbeat track that is guaranteed to make you want to dance along and will put a smile on your face at the same time. "Hills and Valleys" is a low-key, piano driven track that best showcases Bryce's earnest and optimistic sounding vocals, which seem to permeate every facet of this song and will make you sing along every time you hear it. "Walls" is another stellar track that shows Bryce's introspective side and displays the wide range of talents he's capable of. This song also evokes feelings of trying to fit into society and breaking people's perceptions about you.

The album continues on with "Pull Myself Together (Don't Hate Me)", a mid-tempo, melodic rocker that is sure to get you out of your foul mood and get you rocking out to this song. The album's title track is a simple, melodic tune that has a flurry of guitars, drums, and Bryce's vocals allowing the song to coast along with ease. "I Need A Break...But I'd Rather Have A Breakthrough" is a fun and melodic tune that has a distinct hook that reels you in with an "oh-oh-oh" chorus that is sure to be ingrained in your mind after hearing this song.

As the album starts to conclude, we hear "Tara, I'm Terrible", a song written about his wife and is an acoustic tune that is stripped of all other instrumentation to show Bryce's heavenly and inspiring vocals at its finest. "Let You Go" is a bombastic and melodic tune that has a host of instruments arranged around a simple melody to give it a natural and harmonic feel. "This Is A Refuge" is a solid and well written song that is sure to be a fan favorite at the next Rocket Summer show where I'm sure the audience will be singing along to this song and many others.

My favorite song off the album is "Light", a remarkable and extremely catchy song that is determined to put you in a good mood and positive frame of mind, and ultimately succeeds in doing so. Every single one of Bryce's songs are entirely created by him, everything from the instrumentation to the lyrics, which are some of the most well written and optimistic lyrics that I've heard in quite awhile. With the current state of affairs in the world today, we all need some hope and inspiration in our lives, and Bryce Avary has the antidote for you on this album.

All in all, a wonderful and extraordinary album that is the perfect solution if you haven't been in the best mood lately for whatever reason, and is an album that if you listen to with an open mind and listen to very carefully, you'll find an album that makes you so happy to be alive, breathing, and thinking in a positive frame of mind. Highly recommended!

                                                                                                                        Album Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Roses
2. You Gotta Believe
3. Hills and Valleys
4. I Want Something To Live For
5. Walls
6. Pull Myself Together (Don't Hate Me)
7. Of Men and Angels
8. I Need A Break...But I'd Rather Have A Breakthrough
9. Nothing Matters
10. Japanese Exchange Student
11. Tara, I'm Terrible
12. Hey!
13. Let You Go
14. This Is A Refuge
15. Light

Autumn- Altitude

Every few weeks or so, I will be taking viewer requests for albums that I'm gonna review each week. This weeks' request comes from my friend Sara who recommended Autumn's "Altitude". This album is a little different from the music that I regularly cover, but I'll give it my best shot. And without further ado, here is my review!



The Dutch metal band known as Autumn have released their latest album, Altitude. The female fronted group from The Netherlands have a very unique sound that can best be described as atmospheric rock with a  symphonic component attached to it. The album itself is a very melodic and aggressive one that really strikes you the first time you hear it.

The album starts off with "Paradise Nox", a melodic and gritty number with lead singer Marjan Welman's powerful vocals taking charge of the song and allowing it to make a lasting impact on the listener. "Liquid Under Film Noir" is a slightly more aggressive tune that has a toned down outro, making it for a perfect divide between mid-tempo and high energy sound that makes the song standout from all the others on the album. "Skydancer" is an elegant and atmospheric tune that is another example of Marjan's prominent vocals that give this song a life of its own and gives it its own identity in a way.

As the album rolls along, we hear "Synchro-Minds", an acoustic based tune that shows the softer side of the band with its simple instrumentation and pleasant sounding melodies that show the wide range of music the band is capable of creating. "A Minor Dance" is a cryptic and mystical track that has elements of piano mixed in with heavy guitars to give the song its own unique drive and sense of purpose. My favorite track off the album is "Cascade (For A Day)", a melodic and powerful number that has wonderful instrumentation throughout and gritty guitars putting that extra spark there to light here on this track. "Horizon Line" is another stellar track that continues on its musical mission to deliver quality music that the masses will appreciate immediately upon listening to it.

As the album closes out, we hear "Answers Never Questioned", a mid-tempo track that does a great job of starting to close out the album on a low-key scale and without a overwhelmingly loud track that would have otherwise diluted the musical quality of the album to a great degree. The album's title track ties all the elements of the album together in one song that gives the listener a blend of all the distinct harmonies that we heard on the album and gives the listener who might not be familiar with this band (including myself) an idea of what to expect on this album. There have been a few female fronted rock bands that have attained a great deal of popularity recently such as Evanescence and Paramore, while Autumn are still a ways off from attaining that star status, this album does provide some hope for the future that they will be recognized by many more fans and will finally appear on the musical radar that so many artists aspire to appear on.

All together, a solid and cohesive effort that is a great example of the symphonic metal sound that has a very low-level audience. While this is not a genre of music that I regularly listen to, it was a worthwhile listening experience and an enjoyable one in that it gave me a broader sense of the musical spectrum and all that it has to offer.

                                                                                                                         Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Paradise Nox
2. Liquid Under Film Noir
3. Skydancer
4. Synchro-Minds
5. The Heart Demands
6. A Minor Dance
7. Cascade (For A Day)
8. Horizon Line
9. Sulphur Rodents
10. Answers Never Questioned
11. Altitude

Thanks again to Sara for recommending this album for me to review here on my blog! If you guys have any suggestions as to what album I should review next, shoot me an e-mail at: amara02@gmail.com or send me a message on Facebook or Twitter and I'll take a look at it!

The History of 311 Day

How many bands can you think of that have their own holiday where fans from all the world congregate in one place to see their favorite band perform live all the songs you know and love? You're probably not going to come up with many bands as you're reading this, but in actuality the only band on the list that has their own holiday is 311.

Every other year since 2000, thousands of 311 fans from all over the world gather every March 11th to bask in each other's company as 311 puts on an exquisite show to pay homage to all the fans that have supported them over the years and to all that have gathered there in attendance to witness this monumental and special occasion. The first 311 Day occurred at the State Palace Theatre in New Orleans, LA. That night 311 played 47 songs, their longest setlist to date. The next one happened in 2002 at the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans where they churned out 59 songs, twelve more than they played the other year. They played at the same venue in 2004 where they blasted out 68 songs, nine more than the 2002 concert and lasting for over 5 hours. Many consider this 311 Day concert to be the best as they played rarities, covers, and songs that they haven't played in awhile.

For their 2006 concert, they played at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, TN. This was the first 311 Day to be held outside of New Orleans, as the UNO Lakefront Arena was damaged by Hurricane Katrina the year prior. Nevertheless, despite the location change, 311 was able to pull off a stellar show and excite the masses that had gathered there. Likewise for the 2008 concert, which returned to New Orleans at the New Orleans Arena where they continued the tradition. For 311 Day 2010, 311 will be playing in Las Vegas, NV at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. For this celebration, there will be 3 amazing days of celebration and all the stops will be pulled out for this occasion. The day before the big concert, there will be a 311 Fan Party where thousands of 311 fans from all over the world will partake in drinks, music, and each others' company as they listen to a DJ crank out the tunes of 311 over the soundsystem! The next day is of course the massive celebration where 311 will blow the roof off the place with a monumental concert and one which I'm sure will fail to disappoint the crowd. The day after the concert, there will be a 311 Beach Party, where everyone will be relaxing poolside as they enjoy some drinks, BBQ, and the sounds of The Wailers as they get the crowd moving and grooving as they bask in the sun and in each others' company.

311 Day is surely an exhilarating and unifying experience as fans flock from the world over as they partake in this biennial ritual to see the band they've loved all these years, some who might be seeing the band for the first time. While I haven't personally been to a 311 Day celebration, I have had the pleasure of seeing 311 twice in concert and if it's anything like what I saw at those shows, it wouldn't cease to amaze me. So for those 311 fans reading this, wear a 311 shirt, crank out some 311 tunes on your stereo, or hell just throw your own 311 party altogether, and just know that thousands of other people are doing the same thing worldwide, listening to the band they love with the people that they love. Happy 311 Day everyone!!

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

After a five year hiatus, the virtual cartoon band known as Gorillaz are back with their brand new album Plastic Beach. The follow up to 2005's hugely successful Demon Days, Plastic Beach is a concept album of sorts about a post-apocalyptic world made up of the last remnants of humanity. Damon Albarn of Blur and Jamie Hewlett are the masterminds behind the group and the creative force behind principal members 2-D, Murdoc, Russell, and Noodle.

After a brief instrumental intro, the album kicks off with "Welcome to the World of Plastic Beach" featuring a guest vocal appearance from Snoop Dogg, who adds his trademark vocal stylings to a hip-hop inspired track with mysterious rhythms emanating strongly and evoking the overall feel of the album. "Rhinestone Eyes" is a melancholy, laid back track with lead vocalist 2-D lending his trademark vocals to a solid and sustained track. My favorite track off the album is the album's first single, "Stylo". This track also features Mos Def and Bobby Womack, who make a terrific combo on this upbeat and funky track that perks up the vibe a bit on a bleak sounding album.

As the rest of the album chugs along, we hear "Superfast Jellyfish", which features a guest spot from hip-hop legends De La Soul, who add their trademark rhymes to a fun and escapist type of track. "Empire Ants" gives us some synthesized keyboard effects also brought to you courtesy of 2-D. "Some Kind of Nature" features a guest spot from Lou Reed, who does a great job of adding some mystique to an eerie and unique track, while "On Melancholy Hill" is a mysterious and a pure escapist track that seeks to take us away on a magical odyssey.

As the album winds down, we hear Mos Def again on "Sweepstakes", a hip-hop flavored jam that mixes up the vibe a bit on the disc, "To Binge" is a laid back and smooth track that features great variances in both sound and mood that feels different from all the other tunes on the album, and "Cloud of Unknowning" features a return vocal appearance from Bobby Womack, who provides a soulful and powerful punch that brings all the elements of the album together in one, cohesive package. Gorillaz are one of the more unique bands around in the sense that they only exist in the virtual world, and provide us with a form of escapist entertainment that is a glimpse of the post-apocalyptic world that some conspiracy theorists believe is going to occur in 2012. While I firmly believe that the apocalypse is not going to happen then, I think this album does provide us some insight as to what humans can do to prevent further damage to our environment and learn to better appreciate our surroundings more.

In retrospect,  a well put together and cohesive effort that furthers the musical mission of Gorillaz and co-creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. While it's not as catchy and instantly grabbing as Demon Days was, it still provides us some musical entertainment that takes us away from the ordinary lives we lead and into a mystical, fantasy world where we witness the damage that man has caused upon the world.

                                                                                                                          Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Orchesral Intro (f/sinfonia ViVA)
2. Welcome to the World of Plastic Beach (f/Snoop Dogg and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble)
3. White Flag (f/Bashy,Kano, and The Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabian Music)
4. Rhinestone Eyes
5. Stylo (f/Mos Def & Bobby Womack)
6. Superfast Jellyfish (f/Gruff Rhys & De La Soul)
7. Empire Ants (f/Little Dragon)
8. Glitter Freeze (f/Mark E. Smith)
9. Some Kind of Nature (f/Lou Reed)
10. On Melancholy Hill
11. Broken
12. Sweepstakes (f/Mos Def & Hypnotic Brass Ensemble)
13. Plastic Beach (f/Mick Jones & Paul Simonon)
14. To Binge (f/Little Dragon)
15. Cloud of Unknowning (f/Bobby Womack & sinfonia ViVA)
16. Pirate Jet

As an added bonus for you guys, here is the music video for "Stylo" which features a cameo from none other than Bruce Willis! Hope you enjoy it!

Concert Review- Copeland w/ Des Vail, Person L, and I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody's Business

Copeland's farewell tour rolled into the Middle East Downstairs last night with Des Vail, Person L, and I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody's Business that offered up an ambient selection of music with intermittent changes in between that suited the sold-out crowd there quite well and I was very pleased with the groups that performed.

The band to kick off the night was Des Vail. A five piece group hailing from Russellville, Arkansas performed an ambient style of music that is quite similar to Copeland's genre of music with its simple arrangements and laid-back instrumentation. The performance was rock solid, showing remarkable consistency all the way through to the final song of the set. The band has a sound that is similar to that of Death Cab For Cutie with its keyboard effects and vocal stylings that got the night off to a great start.

The next band to hit the stage was Person L. Person L hails from Philadelphia and it's the side project of The Starting Line frontman Kenny Vasoli, who recently released their second album, The Positives this past November. The set featured some songs from their latest album including the title track and "Loudmouth" which has a harder, rougher edge to it than some of the other songs heard prior, "Pleasure is All Mine" had more of a old school R&B vibe to it, which definitely got the crowd dancing along as well. "Sunshine" from their first album Initial brought the ambient feel back into the mix, and "Untitled" brought everything together with Kenny's vocals really shining through full force on this one. While it was a short set, it definitely provided for one of the highlights of the evening.

Next up is I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody's Business. This band is the side project of The Early November frontman Ace Enders, who created the band to experiment with music that was different from the band that he was best known for, much like with what Kenny did with Person L. The set featured a variety of ambient leaning songs with uptempo breaks in between that definitely intrigued the crowd and really incited my curiosity about the band, who I was not aware of prior to the show and I didn't even recognize Ace who's music from The Early November I really admired. All around, a very solid set from them, who will be releasing their new album The World We Know on March 23.

And finally the headlining band Copeland finally took the stage to a thunderous applause of fans who were waiting for awhile to see Copeland in their final Boston area appearance ever as they announced this past fall that they would be disbanding after this tour after performing together as a group for 10 years. The band's set featured some classics, rarities, and tunes from their latest album, You Are My Sunshine. The band's sound is best described as a more user accessible version of Coldplay with songs that are rooted deep in an ambient and experimental sound that fans have really enjoyed over the years. After finishing up their set, the group returned to perform an encore of 2 songs before finishing up their performance for the night, amid a roar of cheers and applause from the crowd, who were disappointed that this would be their final appearance as a group in the Boston area. Overall, a great night from four very unique and different bands whose sound is quite similar but all have different goals and ambitions musically and reach fans from a different spectrum than that of the mainstream audience.

Beach House - Teen Dream

This album was recommended to me by my good friend, Ryan Ward. Thanks for the tip Ryan!!



The Baltimore, MD duo known as Beach House have released their brand new album titled Teen Dream. This is a fitting title for the album, as the album evokes melodies that are commonly associated with a dreamlike landscape, and that leads to a very unique and sophisticated album.

The album opens with "Zebra", a mystical and aura-filled tune that has wonderful melodies and the beautiful vocals of Victoria Legrand add to an atmospheric and well thought out tune. "Silver Soul" is a warm and laid back tune that feels like you've been transported to a beach with its wonderfully syncopated rhythms providing that effect. "Walk in the Park" is an upbeat and trippy tune with its well harmonized instrumentation providing a plethora of visual stimuli to add to a dynamic and fulfilling listening experience.

As we go along, we hear "Used to Be", which was also included on the duo's last album, Devotion. It's a piano laced tune that is one of the more rhythmically attractive tracks featured on the album, a wonderful track all around. "Lover of Mine" is a toned down, mystical tune that feels like you're in a dream all your own, and the music heard here provides the perfect backdrop for that. "Better Times" is another fine track that best exemplifies the other worldly environment that Beach House set out to create on this record. My favorite track on the album is "10 Mile Stereo", a wonderful, hauntingly beautiful track that is a prime example of the strikingly unique music that Beach House have produced with this track, a lucid, picturesque view of the dreamlike atmosphere that we escape to when we go to sleep at night.

Overall, an escapist and well orchestrated effort that showcases our desire to escape from the ordinary world that we live in, and journey to a world where the only thing we hear is this beautiful music, which is a representation of our thoughts and who we are as a person.

                                                                                                                               Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Zebra
2. Silver Soul
3. Norway
4. Walk in the Park
5. Used to Be
6. Lover of Mine
7. Better Times
8. 10 Mile Stereo
9. Real Love
10. Take Care

Keep the tips coming! If you have any suggestions as to what albums I should review next, just leave a comment here on the blog or shoot me an e-mail at: amara02@gmail.com. You can also reach me on Facebook and Twitter as well.

What Albums Do You Want Me To Review?

Hey everyone!

I'm in the process of making more changes to my blog and I've been thinking about asking you, the blog readers as to what albums I should review each week. Send me an e-mail at: amara02@gmail.com or feel free to reach me on MySpace, Facebook, or Twitter as to what albums you want me to review and I'll post them right on the blog along with a little shout out to you! My contact info is at the right hand side of the page so shoot me a message my way and let me know what you want me to review!

Also below, I've posted the music video for Person L's "Goodness Gracious" which they world premiered last night on MySpace! The video is pretty insane! Hope you like it!!

Goodness Gracious

Person L | MySpace Music Videos