Second Stage Rawk
It’s actually been a while since I got any new music so I did a big purchase
(and of course there is already more stuff to get, but I’ll wait for the next
several things to come out). And now, on with the show:
Coheed and Cambria: The Second Stage Turbine Blade and In
Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3
Where have I been these last two years? These guys are amazing. I love that
they’ve got a concept that will span four albums and these two are #2 and #3
respectively. The singer has a high pitched voice and more than one person
has likened him to Getty Lee of Rush and while similar he’s not the same at
all. The music is good to listen too and has several catchy songs. I mean
how can you not like a band with a singer/song writer with such
great hair. Right now I’m really digging these guys while I’m working
out. Check out their videos.- Swingin’ Utters: Live in A Dive
Well, I love these guys.
show">The last show I saw by them was excellent. This live recording
is no exception. A good mix of old and new and well mixed this I will
enjoy listening to for a long time to come.
Alexisonfire: Watch Out!
I had heard of this band here and there, but never heard them. My friend
Matt suggested I give them a listen as usual he’s right on (we have near
identical tastes in music). I will admit the album took a little bit to
grow on me, but now that it has I like it. There are definitely points where
I’m glad the singer sings instead of the screamer screaming.- Only
Crime: To the Nines
Take several of the best musicians in punk rock today from bands like Good
Riddance, Hagfish, Bane, and The Descendents/All and you get Only Crime.
Because Russ Rankin is the singer there are many direct parallels to Good
Riddance, but the music is much different in a good way. For hard rocking
punk this album is a must have. It’s also good work out music. - Tiger Army:
III: Ghost Tigers Rise
Tiger Army, how I love you. With this third release Tiger Army shows no
signs of slowing down. Some of the songs are a little slower than one might
expect, but overall the album is solid and has a lot of energy and great
song writing that we’ve come to expect from the Army. If you like psychobilly
then you’ll want this release in your catalogue. - Subhumans:
Live in A Dive
Yet another in the Live in a Dive series. Again, Fat Wreck does not
disappoint. While I’ve heard the Subhumans in the past I got into punk
in the era post them. Slowly I’ve been picking up older stuff and this
album is a great addition since it’s well mastered and a good mix (a “best of”
if you will). Definitely a buy for anyone that likes the Subhumans. - Bad
Religion: The Empire Strikes First
What more can one say about these legends of punk? Not much except that this
album is great and spot on exactly what I’d expect from them. They did
manage to release a couple of albums in the 90s that are just not recommended at all,
but that’s all over now (and has been over for the last couple of albums).
Bad Religion will rock your lame ass, believe it. - Sparta:
Porcelain
A sophomore effort from some of the members of At the Drive-In. This album
is solid but I will admit I haven’t given it enough listens to really
embrace it yet. I liked it on the first couple of listens so it’s going
to fall into regular rotation now.
