Hey everyone!
It's Tuesday and time for Artist Spotlight for this week! This week, I present to you a band based out of Clearwater, Florida called Advocate. Advocate consists of Aaron White on lead vocals, Adam Renfroe on guitar, Danny Mills on guitar, and Chris Costanza on drums. The band has a Christian inspired metal sound that is reminiscent of another Florida area metal band, Underoath who also have an Christian inspirational theme that is mostly found in their lyrics. This band's sound can best be described as dynamic, resourceful, powerful, and one that absolutely rocks your face off in the process. There are so many hardcore bands out there today that all sound the same to me, but this band has that raw, pure, and unfiltered sound that sounds authentic and one that the listening audience can identify with and find a connecting element that they might hear in the lyrics with something going on in their life. From what I've heard so far, this band is definitely one to keep an eye out for in 2011 and one band that definitely won't be ignored!
Advocate is currently working on their debut EP Trial & Error, which the band hopes to have out sometime in early February, so keep an eye out on iTunes for that! In the meantime, to check out studio updates from the band via Vimeo, log on to their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/advocateband To visit their Facebook page and become a fan of them, head on over to http://www.facebook.com/advocateband
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Truezoos Sign Deal With F Nice Records!
Hey everyone!
Big news coming out of The Truezoos camp today! The band just announced on their Facebook page that they have signed with F Nice Records Inc., a Boston based music production company that helps develop independent artists. This is a huge day for the members of The Truezoos so I just wanted to give a quick shoutout to my friends Sean O'Sullivan, Marc Hoffman, and the newest member of The Truezoos, Bob Langlais! This is a huge jump for you guys and I'm so stoked that you guys got signed! Congratulations once again and get ready for big things on the horizon in 2011!
Big news coming out of The Truezoos camp today! The band just announced on their Facebook page that they have signed with F Nice Records Inc., a Boston based music production company that helps develop independent artists. This is a huge day for the members of The Truezoos so I just wanted to give a quick shoutout to my friends Sean O'Sullivan, Marc Hoffman, and the newest member of The Truezoos, Bob Langlais! This is a huge jump for you guys and I'm so stoked that you guys got signed! Congratulations once again and get ready for big things on the horizon in 2011!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Cake - Showroom of Compassion
Sacramento, California's own Cake are back with their first studio effort in over 6 years, Showroom of Compassion. The follow up to 2004's Pressure Chief finds the alt-rockers not deviating much from their laid back, fun brand of mellow alt-rock that has garnered them plenty of fans over the years.
The disc starts off with "Federal Funding" a fun, laid back rocker that features the unique vocal stylings of lead singer John McCrea, who is known for his half-sung lyrics, making it feel like he's just talking over the music which fits in perfectly with the laid back California persona that each of the band members represent. "Long Time" features lightly toned synth arrangements in the background with a bevy of guitars and drums to back it all up. "Got to Move" is a pleasant, laid back affair with a slow, steady guitar pattern that allows the song to coast along without much friction along the way. "Mustache Man" starts off with a few toots of the trumpet that give the song a little party flare and allow the album as a whole to perk up a bit.
The album's second half features the piano tinged effort, "Teenage Pregnancy" that also adds the trumpet in the mix to give it that diverse, dynamic grit that makes the song stand on its own. My favorite song off the album is the disc's first single, "Sick of You" a melodic bombast that packs it on with guitars and John's wordplay style of singing that make the song have a very cheerful nature despite the title of the song. "Bound Away" is a country inspired song that presents the band in a different light with John's laid back vocal power fitting in perfectly with the country crowd. We get ready to shut down here with "The Winter", a mid tempo, melodic alt-rocker that gives off a feeling of calm and melancholy, and is the perfect song to listen to as you watch the snowfall or if you're out shoveling your driveway. "Italian Guy" ends it here with a fun, entertaining track that gives the listener exactly what they paid for and a experience that is very rewarding. Cake have always been that band that has had their own unique style that makes them stand out from the crowd, and they're also formidable human beings as well. This album was recorded using 100% solar energy from their recording studio out in Sacramento, the same method that Jack Johnson used when he recorded his last two albums. Having a band that makes good music and is socially conscious about the world around them shows that they are true and genuine souls.
In retrospect, a solid and passable effort here from Cake, who take their unorthodox blend of alt rock to another level and throw curveballs our way with country among other influences, and continue to be that same band they were when we heard them for the first time years ago.
Album Score: 3/5
Track Listing:
- Federal Funding
- Long Time
- Got to Move
- What's Now Is Now
- Mustache Man
- Teenage Pregnancy
- Sick of You
- Easy to Crash
- Bound Away
- The Winter
- Italian Guy
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Artist Spotlight: Nice Cliques
Hey everyone!
It's Tuesday and time for this week's Artist Spotlight! This week, we have a spotlight on a band all the way from Saratov, Russia called Nice Cliques! The band consists of Ivan Ilin on lead vocals, guitar and piano, Anton Solodkii on guitar, piano, and vocals, Roman Makarov on bass, flute, and backing vocals, and Alexandr Kashev on drums and oboe. The band has a prominent, indie/art-rock sound that is organic and compelling at the same time with a plethora of dynamic instrumentation such as flute, oboe, and piano that melds together beautifully to create something quite spectacular here! With most bands nowadays, they have a pretty standard set of musicians with basic instruments such as guitar, bass, and drums. But when you add a host of instruments that you never thought would blend well together, it completely alters your perception of what can be and makes possible a combination of sounds that is extraordinary and groundbreaking! Some of my favorite songs from these guys include "No (Thoughts of Return)" and "Oh Darling".
For more info about the guys from Nice Cliques, head on over to their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/nicecliques To become a fan of theirs on Facebook, mosey on over to http://www.facebook.com/NiceCliques To download their album Populra Art which includes some killer tracks such as "Closed" and "Tight Little Group", head on over to their Bandcamp site at http://nicecliques.bandcamp.com/ Also, check out their official website at http://www.nicecliques.com/
It's Tuesday and time for this week's Artist Spotlight! This week, we have a spotlight on a band all the way from Saratov, Russia called Nice Cliques! The band consists of Ivan Ilin on lead vocals, guitar and piano, Anton Solodkii on guitar, piano, and vocals, Roman Makarov on bass, flute, and backing vocals, and Alexandr Kashev on drums and oboe. The band has a prominent, indie/art-rock sound that is organic and compelling at the same time with a plethora of dynamic instrumentation such as flute, oboe, and piano that melds together beautifully to create something quite spectacular here! With most bands nowadays, they have a pretty standard set of musicians with basic instruments such as guitar, bass, and drums. But when you add a host of instruments that you never thought would blend well together, it completely alters your perception of what can be and makes possible a combination of sounds that is extraordinary and groundbreaking! Some of my favorite songs from these guys include "No (Thoughts of Return)" and "Oh Darling".
For more info about the guys from Nice Cliques, head on over to their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/nicecliques To become a fan of theirs on Facebook, mosey on over to http://www.facebook.com/NiceCliques To download their album Populra Art which includes some killer tracks such as "Closed" and "Tight Little Group", head on over to their Bandcamp site at http://nicecliques.bandcamp.com/ Also, check out their official website at http://www.nicecliques.com/
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
UPDATE: Hayley Williams Responds to Josh and Zac Farro's Exit Statement
Hey everyone!
Another update in the ongoing feud between Hayley Williams and the former members of Paramore, Josh and Zac Farro. A couple of weeks back, you might remember me posting here on the blog the infamous exit statement that Josh and Zac posted on their blog, stating that Paramore is a manufactured band and was only a backing band for Hayley's solo career. Hayley, Taylor, and Jeremy are finally setting the record straight in an exclusive interview with MTV News called: "Paramore: The Last Word". In the special which airs this Friday, Hayley and Taylor express their hurt over Josh and Zac's comments and offer their take on the events that have transpired thus far:
"When I was 14, I was offered a contract, but my heart wasn't to be a solo artist; my heart was to be in a band," she said. "I mean, since I [was] a kid, I've always just wanted to be in a band. I didn't even want to be the singer; I wanted to be the drummer, so I could be behind everything. And that's what I fought for, and that's what we've made it. And that's why it seemed so irrelevant that everything was being pointed out [in Farro's statement]. I mean, we've been honest about it, and we are a band, and, to me, it doesn't matter if there's a name on a contract. I hate business, it's the last thing I ever want to talk about. So when that was brought up in the blog, I just felt like, 'Man, fans shouldn't care or need to hear about this stuff,' because all that does is get in the way of music."
"We're not a manufactured band. We've dealt with that rumor for a long time, and that's because of the rumors of Fueled by Ramen and Atlantic's relationship. We've always talked about that ... saying, you know, when we started, I again fought for something that we could really work hard and start from the ground," Williams said. "That's the kind of music that I love, and that's the kind of music we've all shared interest in since day one, and we wanted to be that kind of band, we wanted to be those kind of people that worked for whatever they were going to get. We didn't know it would turn into this. Thank God it did, because we got to experience so many cool things."
To watch the interview with Hayley and Taylor in its entirety, tune in to "Paramore: The Last Word" which airs this Friday, January 7 at 4:00pm as a live stream on http://www.mtv.com/ Check it out!
Another update in the ongoing feud between Hayley Williams and the former members of Paramore, Josh and Zac Farro. A couple of weeks back, you might remember me posting here on the blog the infamous exit statement that Josh and Zac posted on their blog, stating that Paramore is a manufactured band and was only a backing band for Hayley's solo career. Hayley, Taylor, and Jeremy are finally setting the record straight in an exclusive interview with MTV News called: "Paramore: The Last Word". In the special which airs this Friday, Hayley and Taylor express their hurt over Josh and Zac's comments and offer their take on the events that have transpired thus far:
"When I was 14, I was offered a contract, but my heart wasn't to be a solo artist; my heart was to be in a band," she said. "I mean, since I [was] a kid, I've always just wanted to be in a band. I didn't even want to be the singer; I wanted to be the drummer, so I could be behind everything. And that's what I fought for, and that's what we've made it. And that's why it seemed so irrelevant that everything was being pointed out [in Farro's statement]. I mean, we've been honest about it, and we are a band, and, to me, it doesn't matter if there's a name on a contract. I hate business, it's the last thing I ever want to talk about. So when that was brought up in the blog, I just felt like, 'Man, fans shouldn't care or need to hear about this stuff,' because all that does is get in the way of music."
"We're not a manufactured band. We've dealt with that rumor for a long time, and that's because of the rumors of Fueled by Ramen and Atlantic's relationship. We've always talked about that ... saying, you know, when we started, I again fought for something that we could really work hard and start from the ground," Williams said. "That's the kind of music that I love, and that's the kind of music we've all shared interest in since day one, and we wanted to be that kind of band, we wanted to be those kind of people that worked for whatever they were going to get. We didn't know it would turn into this. Thank God it did, because we got to experience so many cool things."
To watch the interview with Hayley and Taylor in its entirety, tune in to "Paramore: The Last Word" which airs this Friday, January 7 at 4:00pm as a live stream on http://www.mtv.com/ Check it out!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Artist Spotlight: A Sunset Tragedy
Hey everyone!
Hope everyone had a festive and relaxing holiday season! I'm back with my first Artist Spotlight feature of 2011 and this week, I present to you a band out of Woodbury, Conencticut called A Sunset Tragedy! The band consists of Quinn Giannini on lead vocals and guitar, Aidan Panagrosso on guitar and backing vocals, Jeff Spencer on drums, and Slater Roosa on bass. The band has a very distinct pop-punk feel to them, reminiscent of such bands such as All Time Low and Boys Like Girls. Quinn's vocals allow the songs to explode with intense melodic vigor and hard edged guitar riffs round out each song with catchy pop hooks designed to reel you in and leave you wanting more. There aren't too many bands nowadays that have that youthful, authentic pop-punk edge that was common from a slew of bands in the early 00's such as New Found Glory and Blink 182, but these guys totally have it down pat and are off to a very promising start! My favorite track from them is "When the Sun Goes".
If you want to hear selections from A Sunset Tragedy, head on over to their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/asunsettragedy To become a fan of theirs on Facebook, cruise on over to http://www.facebook.com/asunsettragedy
Hope everyone had a festive and relaxing holiday season! I'm back with my first Artist Spotlight feature of 2011 and this week, I present to you a band out of Woodbury, Conencticut called A Sunset Tragedy! The band consists of Quinn Giannini on lead vocals and guitar, Aidan Panagrosso on guitar and backing vocals, Jeff Spencer on drums, and Slater Roosa on bass. The band has a very distinct pop-punk feel to them, reminiscent of such bands such as All Time Low and Boys Like Girls. Quinn's vocals allow the songs to explode with intense melodic vigor and hard edged guitar riffs round out each song with catchy pop hooks designed to reel you in and leave you wanting more. There aren't too many bands nowadays that have that youthful, authentic pop-punk edge that was common from a slew of bands in the early 00's such as New Found Glory and Blink 182, but these guys totally have it down pat and are off to a very promising start! My favorite track from them is "When the Sun Goes".
If you want to hear selections from A Sunset Tragedy, head on over to their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/asunsettragedy To become a fan of theirs on Facebook, cruise on over to http://www.facebook.com/asunsettragedy
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year! New Address!
Hey everyone!
Happy New Year to all my readers! Now that 2011 is upon us, it's time for me to make some changes to the blog that I think you're going to enjoy! Effective tonight at 11:59pm, this blog will be moving over to its new address http://www.musicboxpete.net/ Don't worry guys, I won't leave any of you behind! If you type in my current address http://musicboxpete.blogspot.com/ , you'll automatically be redirected to my new address! It will still feature the same album reviews, Artist Spotlight features, and interviews with local artists that you've come to enjoy over the year so take note of the new address!
2011 promises to be a big year for music, with brand new albums on the horizon from All Time Low, the orginal 2002-era lineup of Taking Back Sunday, and Person L so let's crack open a bottle of champagne and celebrate the arrival of 2011!
Happy New Year to all my readers! Now that 2011 is upon us, it's time for me to make some changes to the blog that I think you're going to enjoy! Effective tonight at 11:59pm, this blog will be moving over to its new address http://www.musicboxpete.net/ Don't worry guys, I won't leave any of you behind! If you type in my current address http://musicboxpete.blogspot.com/ , you'll automatically be redirected to my new address! It will still feature the same album reviews, Artist Spotlight features, and interviews with local artists that you've come to enjoy over the year so take note of the new address!
2011 promises to be a big year for music, with brand new albums on the horizon from All Time Low, the orginal 2002-era lineup of Taking Back Sunday, and Person L so let's crack open a bottle of champagne and celebrate the arrival of 2011!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Top Songs of 2010!
Hey everyone!
Hope everyone is enjoying time with their loved ones and are finally all done with your Christmas shopping! As you spend time with the ones you care about or if you're heading out to the mall to do some last minute shopping, I thought I'd give you a playlist of the songs that totally defined 2010. These songs were always there in one way or another as we carried on our everyday lives and provided the soundtrack for those moments that we'll remember the most about this year. Here's a quick rundown for you to check out!:
The Dirty Heads f/ Rome- Lay Me Down
Minus The Bear- My Time
Arcade Fire- Ready To Start
Mumford + Sons- Little Lion Man
Florence + The Machine- Dog Days Are Over
The Black Keys- Tighten Up
Broken Bells- The High Road
B.o.B. f/ Hayley Williams- Airplanes
Vampire Weekend- Giving Up The Gun
Eminem f/ Rihanna- Love The Way You Lie
Jack Johnson- You and Your Heart
Band of Horses- Laredo
Gorillaz f/ Mos Def & Bobby Womack- Stylo
The Rocket Summer- You Gotta Believe
Spoon- The Mystery Zone
Sade- Soldier of Love
Kings of Leon- Radioactive
Cee Lo Green- Fuck You
Broken Bells- The Ghost Inside
Jimmy Eat World- My Best Theory
Are there any songs that you love that are missing from this list? Just leave a comment here on the blog and I'll be sure to add it to the list to create the ultimate playlist of 2010!
I'd also like to take this opportunity and announce the winner of my Artist Spotlight of the Year Award! And the winner is... The Truezoos! The Truezoos were an Artist Spotlight here on the blog back in early September and have quickly become one of my favorite Boston area bands! If you see these guys in concert, trust me you'll get what you paid for! They're super nice guys and I've had the pleasure of hanging out with them several times and I can tell you that these guys are the real deal!
And this wraps up my last blog entry of 2010! Thank you guys so much for checking out my blog, it really means alot to hear so many compliments from readers and bands who have really enjoyed what I have written about them! Keep a look out for my next blog post coming on January 4, 2011! Until then, you have a safe and happy holiday and an awesome 2011!
-Pete
Hope everyone is enjoying time with their loved ones and are finally all done with your Christmas shopping! As you spend time with the ones you care about or if you're heading out to the mall to do some last minute shopping, I thought I'd give you a playlist of the songs that totally defined 2010. These songs were always there in one way or another as we carried on our everyday lives and provided the soundtrack for those moments that we'll remember the most about this year. Here's a quick rundown for you to check out!:
The Dirty Heads f/ Rome- Lay Me Down
Minus The Bear- My Time
Arcade Fire- Ready To Start
Mumford + Sons- Little Lion Man
Florence + The Machine- Dog Days Are Over
The Black Keys- Tighten Up
Broken Bells- The High Road
B.o.B. f/ Hayley Williams- Airplanes
Vampire Weekend- Giving Up The Gun
Eminem f/ Rihanna- Love The Way You Lie
Jack Johnson- You and Your Heart
Band of Horses- Laredo
Gorillaz f/ Mos Def & Bobby Womack- Stylo
The Rocket Summer- You Gotta Believe
Spoon- The Mystery Zone
Sade- Soldier of Love
Kings of Leon- Radioactive
Cee Lo Green- Fuck You
Broken Bells- The Ghost Inside
Jimmy Eat World- My Best Theory
Are there any songs that you love that are missing from this list? Just leave a comment here on the blog and I'll be sure to add it to the list to create the ultimate playlist of 2010!
I'd also like to take this opportunity and announce the winner of my Artist Spotlight of the Year Award! And the winner is... The Truezoos! The Truezoos were an Artist Spotlight here on the blog back in early September and have quickly become one of my favorite Boston area bands! If you see these guys in concert, trust me you'll get what you paid for! They're super nice guys and I've had the pleasure of hanging out with them several times and I can tell you that these guys are the real deal!
And this wraps up my last blog entry of 2010! Thank you guys so much for checking out my blog, it really means alot to hear so many compliments from readers and bands who have really enjoyed what I have written about them! Keep a look out for my next blog post coming on January 4, 2011! Until then, you have a safe and happy holiday and an awesome 2011!
-Pete
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Let It Sway
The Springfield, MO quartet known as Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin are back with their brand new studio album, Let It Sway. The follow up to 2008's Pershing finds the group still adhering to the free flowing, independent state of mind that was found on their previous records, and allows the band to mature and flourish with intricate lyrics and captivating melodies.
The album starts off very strong with "Back in the Saddle" a melodic, easy going indie jam that finds lead singer Philip Hickey expressing his mellow, freeform lyrics amongst a charge of electric and lightly percussed drums. "Sink/Let It Sway" is another exquisite track seeing the band bumping it up a notch with a more prevalent drum pattern that also increases the attack of the electric guitars on a much more advanced level that works very well here. "In Pairs" features a melodic explosion with a simultaneous onslaught of guitars, bass, and drums providing for a very enjoyable and fulfilling music experience. The track builds right into the next one, "My Terrible Personality" a country tinged jam that pays homage to the band's Southern roots and also allows them to let loose and have fun. "Everlyn" returns the band back to their comfort level of indie and dream pop that shows the versatility of this band and gives us another reason to pay attention to them.
The disc's second half starts off with "All Hail Dracula!" a melodic, fun filled adventure that features Phillip's vocals entering another stratosphere of greatness with an array of guitars and drums used freely at his disposal. My favorite song off the disc is "Animalkind", a melodically advanced track that shows off all facets of the band in a natural, untouched state. "Phantomwise" is a melancholy, dreamy track with melodies that will make you want to just kick back, relax, and forget about the world around you for awhile. "Made To Last" makes wonderful use out of the drums, which have been very prevalent on many of the disc's subsequent tracks and continues to move the disc along at a steady but manageable pace. We get ready to end the disc with "Cardinal Rules", a tune that adds in some distinct keyboard elements that are spread throughout the disc to add a bit of flavor in order to entice the listener. "Tanks Jam" is a very simple, straightforward track that presents the band in a much different light with no vocals present whatsoever at any point during this song, making this instrumental one of the main selling points of the disc. This year has brought us a number of indie based bands who are daring and think outside of the box on a much larger scale than we had ever anticipated. Bands such as Mumford & Sons and Florence + The Machine have been game changers and have brought us a new breed of creative and adventurous people who will be around the music scene for the foreseeable future. While Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin just started back in 2004, this album has demonstrated that they think in a different light than 99% of the bands out there and have a raw, unfiltered sound to them that music fans crave for these days.
In retrospect, a sonically pleasing and wonderfully executed effort here from Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, that gives the listener a new way of exploring music that they won't find in any of the commercial bands out there today, and is a honest, pure, and heartfelt effort that shows all the hard work and determination that these guys have put into their music.
Album Score: 4/5
Track Listing:
- Back in the Saddle
- Sink/Let It Sway
- Banned (By the Man)
- In Pairs
- My Terrible Personality
- Everlyn
- Stuart Gets Lost Dans Le Metro
- All Hail Dracula!
- Critical Drain
- Animalkind
- Phantomwise
- Made To Last
- Bended
- Cardinal Rules
- Tanks Jam
UPDATE: Josh and Zac Farro Speak Out About Leaving Paramore!
Hey everyone!
A quick update from my breaking news story that I posted on Saturday about the departure of Josh and Zac Farro from Paramore. Yesterday, the brothers spoke out on their blog about their side of the story about why they quit the band, and what you'll hear is quite surprising. Here is the post from their blog:
A quick update from my breaking news story that I posted on Saturday about the departure of Josh and Zac Farro from Paramore. Yesterday, the brothers spoke out on their blog about their side of the story about why they quit the band, and what you'll hear is quite surprising. Here is the post from their blog:
Hey guys,
Let me start by apologizing to you for the way everything went down on Saturday. I had a statement typed ready to post to you guys but Hayley released one without my permission. We were not going to issue a statement until we worked out our exit agreement with Hayley. I wish it didn’t have to happen that way, Zac and I wanted to be the ones you heard it from. I want to be honest with you guys about how this band formulated from day one. I did not think Hayley’s version told the whole story, at least from our perspective and hopefully this will explain a bit about why we are leaving.
Zac and I had a garage band in high school with the intentions of just making music for the love of it. We met Taylor and our friend Jason Clark at our school and found out that we shared the same musical tastes. So, we asked them to join our band. It was some of the greatest times of our lives playing music in Taylor’s basement with them. We obviously needed a lead singer and one day Zac met Hayley. We asked her to come try out and eventually to join the band.
Months down the road things changed and this band became all about Hayley. She had a manager at the time that controlled her every move along with her parents. They didn’t like the idea of Hayley being in a rock band so they forced her to leave wanting her to pursue a solo career.
Hayley went off to write and record her solo demos while the four of us continued on without her. A couple of months later Hayley came and asked us if she could use the song “Conspiracy” that we had all previously written together. We agreed that that would be fine. I got a call a while after that from Hayley telling me that her manager said that Zac and I were invited to be back in the band (the band we started), but not Taylor and Jason because they weren’t good enough in his eyes. Hayley brought in Jeremy and our first rhythm guitarist Jason Bynum as the other two members.
We travelled to LA a few weeks later for a showcase and it was a nightmare. Hayley’s manager would tell the band to be in the lobby of the hotel at a certain time, but he and Hayley wouldn’t show for hours. We found out that they had been meeting with record label executives all morning without us, which is totally weird given that this wasn’t simply a solo artist, but we were a band. The band was in the dark the whole time. After many meetings between Hayley, her manager and the labels they decided to sign her to Atlantic records. We didn’t understand why Hayley was the only one signing the contract since we were told this was a “band”, but we were too young to grasp all of this. So far, Zac and I haven’t signed with another label, although I guess our part of Paramore sure could. Next thing we knew we were having a signing party for Hayley.
Our next move was to rerecord her solo demos with our own music rather than studio musicians to make it sound more genuine. Meanwhile, we tossed around band names. I wrote out a list of names, including “Paramore”, a name my old band with Taylor and Jason Clark had thought about using. Obviously, we settled on that name. The label received the rerecorded demos and once again tried to fire the entire band, saying we were terrible. Thankfully Hayley and I had been writing some new songs together (Hallelujah, Here We Go Again) that the label was pleased with so that acted as leverage for the band to stay. The label and management then decided to build our band up the grass-roots route. They put Hayley on Fueled by Ramen not making it known she was signed to Atlantic as well. All the while we still questioned whether or not we were an actual band, but Hayley continued to insist we were, despite our being ignored and pushed around by the label.
They then sent us all to Orlando to rehearse and write eight hours a day for our first record. Half -way though this process, Jeremy decided to quit. We were all really upset about it. So we finished the record, replaced Jeremy, and hit the road with Hayley’s father as our tour manager/driver of a twelve-passenger van. Her dad would constantly threaten to “pull the plug” on the whole band if we complained about anything, suggesting that we were hired guns and Hayley was the real artist, when in reality we were also part of the band. We’ve always been treated as less important than Hayley. It’s been obvious how her family views things.
Jeremy ended up rejoining and we toured non-stop for two and half years building our fan base, pretending to be a band that started naturally. In reality, what started as natural somehow morphed into a manufactured product of a major label, riding on the coattails of “Hayley’s dream.”
Before recording our next record, we kicked out Jeremy for his lack of work ethic and participation in things that Zac, Hayley and I didn’t agree with. At this point it was just the three of us to record Riot. Once the record was done, we needed a bassist and another guitarist. Eventually Zac and I convinced Hayley to let Taylor rejoin and she convinced us to let Jeremy back in, promising he had changed his ways.
Once again we hit the road and toured on our biggest record as a band. As you all know Hayley and I dated and broke up during this album cycle. Things then started going downhill for our band. Hayley and Jeremy’s views started changing from what we all once believed in. The band almost split after cancelling a tour in Europe, but we managed to keep it together somehow. This is when Zac and I started to consider quitting the band.
Once we finished touring on Riot, we came home for a break and started writing for Brand New Eyes. Hayley presented lyrics to us that were really negative and we didn’t agree with. For example, “the truth never set me free”, which contradicts what the Bible says in John 8:32 (“and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall sat you free”). We fought her about how her lyrics misrepresented our band and what we stood for, but in the end she got her way. Instead of fighting her any longer, we decided to just roll over and let it go.
Hayley claimed that this record reunited us as band and made us grow closer together, when in reality we were all growing further apart. Suddenly the band had spilt into two sides. Touring became more difficult since we couldn’t agree on anything. The friendships our band once had were no longer existent. Amos 3:3 says, “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction”. In addition to the band turmoil, touring had really taken its toll on us both. We left home at such a young age and missed taking part in normal teenage years. When you own part of a band and are constantly playing, you make sacrifices. Touring has taken its toll on our family members as well. I specifically remember many moments where our parents would break down in tears when we had to leave. It broke my heart. Seeing our siblings grow up so much during our absences was never easy either.
After a lot a prayer and counsel Zac and I came to the decision that it was time to leave the band. We truly feel that God is leading us elsewhere and is going to do great things with us. The intention of this statement was not to belittle or disgrace the rest of the band, it was simply to clarify our decision for leaving and our desire to finally tell you guys the truth. We are still hoping to work out a friendly way to leave our part of Paramore intact with the remaining band members, including Hayley.
We want to thank you guys for all of your love and support over the past 7 years. It’s been an honor creating and playing music for you. If music is what God calls us to in the future, we hope that you all will be a part of it.
All of the glory be to God,
Josh and Zac
No response from the remaining members of Paramore (Hayley, Taylor, and Jeremy) on this matter, but this post is very contradictory to what the band said happened in their statement on their website on Saturday. UPDATE: According to Alternative Press, the blog post is confirmed to be legitimate and written by Josh Farro. Please leave your comments about this breaking development and tell me what you think about it!
No response from the remaining members of Paramore (Hayley, Taylor, and Jeremy) on this matter, but this post is very contradictory to what the band said happened in their statement on their website on Saturday. UPDATE: According to Alternative Press, the blog post is confirmed to be legitimate and written by Josh Farro. Please leave your comments about this breaking development and tell me what you think about it!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Artist Spotlight: G. Jonz
Hey everyone!
It;s time for my last Artist Spotlight feature for the year! This week, I bring to you a producer out of Lynn, Massachusetts called Greg Jones, also known by his stage name of G. Jonz. G. Jonz hones his production skills into something extraordinarily unique here, as he uses the theme of cooking around his debut mixtape album titled Check The Recipe. The album showcases his extraordinary talents over a set of layered, thumping beats that is guaranteed to keep your head moving and also showcases the talents of different artists on the album, opening the opportunity for some undiscovered artists to get some exposure to a open and willing audience. It's really awesome to see what producers are doing behind the scenes to get the creative juices flowing, and G. Jonz certainly has the magic touch when it comes to producing and ensuring that the artists that he works with sound excellent while performing. Probably one of the most creative up and coming producers in the scene today!
G. Jonz released Check The Recipe last December, and it's currently available on his Band Camp site! To check it out, head on over to http://sunspot781.bandcamp.com/album/check-the-recipe and see the best of what G. Jonz has to offer! To follow G. Jonz on Twitter, his username is @gjonz
It;s time for my last Artist Spotlight feature for the year! This week, I bring to you a producer out of Lynn, Massachusetts called Greg Jones, also known by his stage name of G. Jonz. G. Jonz hones his production skills into something extraordinarily unique here, as he uses the theme of cooking around his debut mixtape album titled Check The Recipe. The album showcases his extraordinary talents over a set of layered, thumping beats that is guaranteed to keep your head moving and also showcases the talents of different artists on the album, opening the opportunity for some undiscovered artists to get some exposure to a open and willing audience. It's really awesome to see what producers are doing behind the scenes to get the creative juices flowing, and G. Jonz certainly has the magic touch when it comes to producing and ensuring that the artists that he works with sound excellent while performing. Probably one of the most creative up and coming producers in the scene today!
G. Jonz released Check The Recipe last December, and it's currently available on his Band Camp site! To check it out, head on over to http://sunspot781.bandcamp.com/album/check-the-recipe and see the best of what G. Jonz has to offer! To follow G. Jonz on Twitter, his username is @gjonz
Saturday, December 18, 2010
BREAKING NEWS!! Josh and Zac Farro Leave Paramore!!
Hey everyone!
This news just coming in. In a shocking announcement, it was revealed today that Josh and Zac Farro of Paramore have left the group. The decision doesn't come a shock to the remaining members of Paramore: Hayley, Taylor, and Jeremy as they have been aware of this news for a few months now. The remaining members posted this message on Paramore's website:
Over the past 6 years, our band has been through some of the most intense and incredible experiences of our lives. None of these things have been without trial. We've worked so hard to get to where we are and the fact that you are all still here with us says something about you that we will never be able to truly understand. You have stuck with us through thick and thin and we are so grateful. A couple of months ago, Josh and Zac let us know they would be leaving the band after our show in Orlando last Sunday. None of us were really shocked. For the last year it hasn't seemed as if they wanted to be around anymore. We want Josh and Zac to do something that makes them happy and if that isn't here with us, then we support them finding happiness elsewhere. But we never for a second thought about leaving any of this behind. We really hope that you can be encouraged by the fact that the three of us who are still here are ready to take on another chapter of our journey together. You have always been what keeps us going so why would we stop now? We want to stick by you. Knowing that we have a unified passion and a clear vision makes us feel stronger than ever.
The "blog" that was posted regarding everything that is going on with our band was a fake. We aren't sure who did it or why... And we aren't sure how they timed it this way. This is the first time that we have spoken out about what's going on and we wouldn't have released an official statement that important through a personal blog. So, we're sorry for any confusion and just to remain clear, this is the first time we have spoken out about this.
We have some amazing things lined up for next year starting with our tour in South America. We are still coming to you and we are excited about who we are bringing with us! The tour is still on and we can't wait to see you all.
As we look back, and now as we look with excitement to the future, in all of this what truly matters are the good times. The pictures of us with our arms around each other, the long van rides, your faces while you sing along as we play. Thank you for getting us right here to this very moment. We look forward to our best times. And we hope you will go there with us.
Love,
Hayley, Jeremy & Taylor
Paramore
Zac and Jeremy are slated to play their final show with Paramore this Sunday in Orlando. The remaining members of Paramore will be taking a little bit of a break in 2011 before finding a replacement guitarist and drummer for the band. What are your thoughts on this story? Leave a comment here on the blog and tell me what you think!!
This news just coming in. In a shocking announcement, it was revealed today that Josh and Zac Farro of Paramore have left the group. The decision doesn't come a shock to the remaining members of Paramore: Hayley, Taylor, and Jeremy as they have been aware of this news for a few months now. The remaining members posted this message on Paramore's website:
Over the past 6 years, our band has been through some of the most intense and incredible experiences of our lives. None of these things have been without trial. We've worked so hard to get to where we are and the fact that you are all still here with us says something about you that we will never be able to truly understand. You have stuck with us through thick and thin and we are so grateful. A couple of months ago, Josh and Zac let us know they would be leaving the band after our show in Orlando last Sunday. None of us were really shocked. For the last year it hasn't seemed as if they wanted to be around anymore. We want Josh and Zac to do something that makes them happy and if that isn't here with us, then we support them finding happiness elsewhere. But we never for a second thought about leaving any of this behind. We really hope that you can be encouraged by the fact that the three of us who are still here are ready to take on another chapter of our journey together. You have always been what keeps us going so why would we stop now? We want to stick by you. Knowing that we have a unified passion and a clear vision makes us feel stronger than ever.
The "blog" that was posted regarding everything that is going on with our band was a fake. We aren't sure who did it or why... And we aren't sure how they timed it this way. This is the first time that we have spoken out about what's going on and we wouldn't have released an official statement that important through a personal blog. So, we're sorry for any confusion and just to remain clear, this is the first time we have spoken out about this.
We have some amazing things lined up for next year starting with our tour in South America. We are still coming to you and we are excited about who we are bringing with us! The tour is still on and we can't wait to see you all.
As we look back, and now as we look with excitement to the future, in all of this what truly matters are the good times. The pictures of us with our arms around each other, the long van rides, your faces while you sing along as we play. Thank you for getting us right here to this very moment. We look forward to our best times. And we hope you will go there with us.
Love,
Hayley, Jeremy & Taylor
Paramore
Zac and Jeremy are slated to play their final show with Paramore this Sunday in Orlando. The remaining members of Paramore will be taking a little bit of a break in 2011 before finding a replacement guitarist and drummer for the band. What are your thoughts on this story? Leave a comment here on the blog and tell me what you think!!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Top Albums of 2010!
Hey everyone!
As we get closer and closer to the end of the year, it's time for my year end recap of the Top Albums of 2010! 2010 was another awesome year for music as we saw big comebacks from some high profile artists (Eminem, Sade), spectacular albums from breakout indie artists (Mumford & Sons, Florence & The Machine) and career defining discs from some familiar faces (Arcade Fire, The Black Keys). This list here represents the 10 best albums that have made it into the upper echelon of the musical consciousness this year. Keep in mind that these albums aren't ranked in any particular order, as I feel that every artist on this list is equal and should be honored to be chosen as one of the Top 10 albums of the year, out of the thousands of records that came out this year! And without further ado, here is my list:
Vampire Weekend- Contra
The kings of the NYC indie rock scene returned with their much anticipated sophomore release this year. The album is a mixture of African rhythms and classical music, much like the sound of their self-titled debut only this album hits at a much higher level than the previous one did. Lead singer Ezra Koenig's calm and relaxing vocals gave listeners a fun and laid back experience that will be remembered as their artistic achievement! Some highlights from the album include songs such as "Cousins", "Giving Up The Gun", "Holiday", and "Horchata".
Arcade Fire- The Suburbs
The Canadian indie rock powerhouse return with what is perhaps their career defining album. The follow up to 2007's Neon Bible finds the group delving deep into art rock rhythms and baroque pop arrangements that make this disc one of Arcade Fire's most cohesive and emotionally resonating albums to date. Lead singer Win Butler's hauntingly beautiful vocals are best highlighted on the disc's soaring first single "Ready To Start". Other standouts from the album include "Month of May", "We Used To Wait", and "Empty Room".
The Black Keys- Brothers
The Black Keys exploded their way into the mainstream this year with their latest effort "Brothers". The band have been together as a group since 2001, but this was the year that they exploded in the mainstream consciousness. Lead singer Dan Auerbach and drummer Pat Carney blend together their blues inspired rhythms to create an album that is raw, authentic, and straight to the point. Some highlights from the disc include: "Tighten Up", "Everlasting Light", "Howlin' For You", and "Next Girl".
Minus The Bear- Omni
Straight out of Seattle, WA Minus The Bear made a breakout effort this year with their latest effort, Omni. This effort finds the group abandoning the sound found on their earlier albums for a slightly more commercial sounding record. This album was recorded in the style of a live show, where all the songs were played straight through without any breaks in between the songs, giving it the feel of a live concert setting. Some highlights from this stellar disc include "My Time", "Summer Angel", "Secret Country", and "Dayglow Vista Rd.".
Broken Bells- Broken Bells
One of the most anticipated albums of 2010, Broken Bells delivered big with their debut release! The side project of The Shins frontman James Mercer and producer extraordinaire Danger Mouse came together with a indie rock delight that combined together space rock rhythms and an indie rock sensibility that made this album unlike anything else released this year in the musical landscape. Some highlights from the disc include "The High Road", The Ghost Inside", "Sailing To Nowhere", and "October".
Eminem- Recovery
Marshall Mathers AKA Eminem made a comeback to remember with his latest effort, Recovery. The follow up to 2009's ill fated comeback attempt Relapse finds Em doing much better second time around with an album that is nearly as good as 2000's The Marshall Mathers LP, and shows Eminem in a more mature and confident frame of mind this time around. Some standouts from the disc include "Not Afraid", "Love The Way You Lie" (f/Rihanna), "No Love" (f/Lil' Wayne), and "Won't Back Down" (f/Pink).
Circa Survive- Blue Sky Noise
Doylestown, PA's finest Circa Survive flew back onto the map this year with their latest release! Lead singer Anthony Green is absolutely marvelous as his voice permeates every crevice of each song with remarkable strength and versatility, a true testament to the extraordinary amount of talent that he displays on this record. Some highlights from the album include: "I Felt Free", "Get Out", "Through The Desert Alone", and "Strange Terrain".
Sade- Soldier of Love
Sade made a huge comeback this year with her first album in 10 years, Soldier of Love. Not much has changed from Sade since 2000's "Lovers Rock" as Sade and her band return to the same R&B styled jams that launched Sade into stardom int the mid 80's with "Smooth Operator". It's very rare for a star to maintain a strong following after several years away from the music scene, but Sade has made it look almost easy. Some of my favorites from this one include "Soldier of Love", "The Moon and The Sky", "Babyfather", and "Morning Bird".
Underoath- Ø Disambiguation
Jacksonville, Florida's finest Underoath returned big with their latest effort, Ø Disambiguation! The first record since original drummer Aaron Gillespie left earlier this year finds the group sounding harder, faster, and stronger than they ever were before. Lead singer Spencer Chamberlain screams his heart out on many of the disc's ear splitting tracks and cements Underoath as one of the premier metal groups out there today! Some highlights from this great disc include "Illuminator", "In Division", "Paper Lung", and "Catch Myself Catching Myself".
Trapt- No Apologies
Los Gatos, California's own Trapt returned back on the scene with their latest, No Apologies! The band is best perhaps known for their 2002's smash hit "Headstrong", but this record proves that this group is far from being classified as a one hit wonder. The record packs in a massive amount of guitars, drums, and lead singer Chris Brown's melodic and ripping vocals to wow the listening audience. Some tracks to check out include "Sound Off", "End of My Rope", "Get Up", and "No Apologies".
And there you have it, my list of the Top 10 Albums of 2010! What do you think of my choices? Were there any albums that I may have missed? Leave a comment here on the blog and also let me know what albums you enjoyed the most this year!
Check out videos, live features and digital radio from your favorite artists and top albums on a dish network TV. There’s loads of music programming for almost any taste – find out more at InternetLion.com.
As we get closer and closer to the end of the year, it's time for my year end recap of the Top Albums of 2010! 2010 was another awesome year for music as we saw big comebacks from some high profile artists (Eminem, Sade), spectacular albums from breakout indie artists (Mumford & Sons, Florence & The Machine) and career defining discs from some familiar faces (Arcade Fire, The Black Keys). This list here represents the 10 best albums that have made it into the upper echelon of the musical consciousness this year. Keep in mind that these albums aren't ranked in any particular order, as I feel that every artist on this list is equal and should be honored to be chosen as one of the Top 10 albums of the year, out of the thousands of records that came out this year! And without further ado, here is my list:
Vampire Weekend- Contra
The kings of the NYC indie rock scene returned with their much anticipated sophomore release this year. The album is a mixture of African rhythms and classical music, much like the sound of their self-titled debut only this album hits at a much higher level than the previous one did. Lead singer Ezra Koenig's calm and relaxing vocals gave listeners a fun and laid back experience that will be remembered as their artistic achievement! Some highlights from the album include songs such as "Cousins", "Giving Up The Gun", "Holiday", and "Horchata".
Arcade Fire- The Suburbs
The Canadian indie rock powerhouse return with what is perhaps their career defining album. The follow up to 2007's Neon Bible finds the group delving deep into art rock rhythms and baroque pop arrangements that make this disc one of Arcade Fire's most cohesive and emotionally resonating albums to date. Lead singer Win Butler's hauntingly beautiful vocals are best highlighted on the disc's soaring first single "Ready To Start". Other standouts from the album include "Month of May", "We Used To Wait", and "Empty Room".
The Black Keys- Brothers
The Black Keys exploded their way into the mainstream this year with their latest effort "Brothers". The band have been together as a group since 2001, but this was the year that they exploded in the mainstream consciousness. Lead singer Dan Auerbach and drummer Pat Carney blend together their blues inspired rhythms to create an album that is raw, authentic, and straight to the point. Some highlights from the disc include: "Tighten Up", "Everlasting Light", "Howlin' For You", and "Next Girl".
Minus The Bear- Omni
Straight out of Seattle, WA Minus The Bear made a breakout effort this year with their latest effort, Omni. This effort finds the group abandoning the sound found on their earlier albums for a slightly more commercial sounding record. This album was recorded in the style of a live show, where all the songs were played straight through without any breaks in between the songs, giving it the feel of a live concert setting. Some highlights from this stellar disc include "My Time", "Summer Angel", "Secret Country", and "Dayglow Vista Rd.".
Broken Bells- Broken Bells
One of the most anticipated albums of 2010, Broken Bells delivered big with their debut release! The side project of The Shins frontman James Mercer and producer extraordinaire Danger Mouse came together with a indie rock delight that combined together space rock rhythms and an indie rock sensibility that made this album unlike anything else released this year in the musical landscape. Some highlights from the disc include "The High Road", The Ghost Inside", "Sailing To Nowhere", and "October".
Eminem- Recovery
Marshall Mathers AKA Eminem made a comeback to remember with his latest effort, Recovery. The follow up to 2009's ill fated comeback attempt Relapse finds Em doing much better second time around with an album that is nearly as good as 2000's The Marshall Mathers LP, and shows Eminem in a more mature and confident frame of mind this time around. Some standouts from the disc include "Not Afraid", "Love The Way You Lie" (f/Rihanna), "No Love" (f/Lil' Wayne), and "Won't Back Down" (f/Pink).
Circa Survive- Blue Sky Noise
Doylestown, PA's finest Circa Survive flew back onto the map this year with their latest release! Lead singer Anthony Green is absolutely marvelous as his voice permeates every crevice of each song with remarkable strength and versatility, a true testament to the extraordinary amount of talent that he displays on this record. Some highlights from the album include: "I Felt Free", "Get Out", "Through The Desert Alone", and "Strange Terrain".
Sade- Soldier of Love
Sade made a huge comeback this year with her first album in 10 years, Soldier of Love. Not much has changed from Sade since 2000's "Lovers Rock" as Sade and her band return to the same R&B styled jams that launched Sade into stardom int the mid 80's with "Smooth Operator". It's very rare for a star to maintain a strong following after several years away from the music scene, but Sade has made it look almost easy. Some of my favorites from this one include "Soldier of Love", "The Moon and The Sky", "Babyfather", and "Morning Bird".
Underoath- Ø Disambiguation
Jacksonville, Florida's finest Underoath returned big with their latest effort, Ø Disambiguation! The first record since original drummer Aaron Gillespie left earlier this year finds the group sounding harder, faster, and stronger than they ever were before. Lead singer Spencer Chamberlain screams his heart out on many of the disc's ear splitting tracks and cements Underoath as one of the premier metal groups out there today! Some highlights from this great disc include "Illuminator", "In Division", "Paper Lung", and "Catch Myself Catching Myself".
Trapt- No Apologies
Los Gatos, California's own Trapt returned back on the scene with their latest, No Apologies! The band is best perhaps known for their 2002's smash hit "Headstrong", but this record proves that this group is far from being classified as a one hit wonder. The record packs in a massive amount of guitars, drums, and lead singer Chris Brown's melodic and ripping vocals to wow the listening audience. Some tracks to check out include "Sound Off", "End of My Rope", "Get Up", and "No Apologies".
And there you have it, my list of the Top 10 Albums of 2010! What do you think of my choices? Were there any albums that I may have missed? Leave a comment here on the blog and also let me know what albums you enjoyed the most this year!
Check out videos, live features and digital radio from your favorite artists and top albums on a dish network TV. There’s loads of music programming for almost any taste – find out more at InternetLion.com.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz
Coming out of Detroit, Michigan Sufjan Stevens is back with his first album in 5 years, The Age of Adz. The follow up to 2005's Illinois finds the singer-songwriter heading in a more electronic based direction this time around, while still retaining the indie rock elements of his past releases.
The album opens with the ethereal "Futile Devices", a warm, electronic tinged number that is very comforting and features some melodic piano sounds embedded within the tune and Sufjan's comforting and mellow voice. "Too Much" is an active, upbeat electronic tune that also features a children's choir heard in the background that adds a layer of musical dexterity to the track that allows it to have a longer shelf life. The disc's title track is a mysterious yet calming track that features Sufjan's voice weaving in and out through the musical landscapes of the track, providing some comfort as the listener takes notice of the unusual patterns omnipresent throughout this track. "Now That I'm Older" sounds like a track you would hear Sunday morning at church. It might seem a little out of place here, but it actually adds a nice, layered touch to an already musically diverse album.
The album's second half starts off with "Get Real, Get Right", a hybrid electronic/gospel tune that features drastic changes in tempo all throughout that make it one of the more complicated songs on the disc to keep track of. My favorite track off the album is "Vesuvius", a melodic, linear delight that features Sufjan's voice and a choir adding an element of elegance and happiness to this standout track. The album draws to a close with "I Want To Be Well", one of the more fast movers on this track as it starts off at a faster pace than the other songs, but begins to taper off towards the end and has a nice, clean finish that allows it to conclude properly. The last song, the 25 minute "Impossible Soul" is a long song to listen to all the way through, so feel free to stop listening at any point along your way. There is no right or wrong way to listen to this epic track. Many of Sufjan's prior albums revolve around themes that are each dedicated to every one of the 50 states, like 2005's Illinois which produced the memorable track, "Chicago". It'll probably be awhile before he finishes this 50 states project, but from what we've heard so far, he's done a beautiful job so far with the lush musical arrangements and the beautiful chords that sets Sufjan apart from the other singer-songwriters out there.
In conclusion, Sufjan Stevens has made a respectable effort here that sees Sufjan continuing to express his unorthodox brand of music that is very ambient yet experimental at the same time that gives the listener plenty of time to explore each track and take it for what it's worth.
Album Score: 3.5/5
Track Listing:
- Futile Devices
- Too Much
- Age of Adz
- I Walked
- Now That I'm Older
- Get Real, Get Right
- Bad Communication
- Vesuvius
- All For Myself
- I Want To Be Well
- Impossible Soul
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