Bring Me The Horizon - Sempiternal 

 A much tame cover if you ask me!

Lets go back to 2008 before I get into this. I’m in 10th grade, a kid starting to get into heavier music. My friend comes up to me and shows me the artwork for the album she is listening to on her iPod. The album cover depicts a girl holding her bloody intestines. Going what the F$#% in my head, I ask her what the hell she is listening too? She tells me it’s a song called “Diamonds Aren’t Forever” by Bring Me The Horizon. I ask her if I can take a listen. As I put on the headphones, I am suddenly thrown into a violent head banging session as the heaviness takes over my body. I tell her, “THIS IS AWESOME” and go home and get the album, Suicide Season, for myself. Jump to 2010, I am waiting till midnight of October 3rd, 2010 for the highly anticipated release of Bring Me The Horizon’s third album There Is a Hell, Believe Me I’ve Seen It, There Is a Heaven, Lets Keep It A Secret. The album hits the web, I download it, and I love it. While yes, it wasn’t even close to being as heavy as Suicide Season, the album was more structured musically. The lyricism was dark, but different dealing with topics such as personal discovery and realization.

The reason for this long introduction is simple, Bring Me The Horizon is a band that doesn’t do the same album twice. It’s what makes them one of my favorite bands. I know they have a wide variety of haters, but I can appreciate a band who tries to experiment and do something different, than just chug out the same album time after time (I’M LOOKING AT YOU WIZ KHALIFA). That being said, if you expected Bring Me The Horizon to go back to the heavy days of Suicide Season, you might be a little disappointed. Don’t let that deter you from listening to Sempiternal though, because Sempiternal is a bold step for Bring Me The Horizon. One that sees the production of experimentation hit a high and surprising level.

The most prominent change with the band this album is the heavy inclusion of electronics. Anyone who has read an interview with singer, Oli Sykes, knows Sykes loves electronic music and has wanted to incorporate it into the bands sound for quite a while. The band recruited keyboardist Jordan Fish of the band Worship to help give that electronic sound to Sempiternal. You see this implemented in just the first song, the very different but in my opinion catchy as hell “Can You Feel My Heart”. You can get a sense that keyboards are now a part of Bring Me The Horizon. The keyboards are heard on every song as Fish makes a nice transition into the sound of Bring Me The Horizon as he adds elements to help the mood and atmosphere of each song. A great example of this is the song, “Crooked Young,” which explores the question of if faith really matters.

Another big change with Sempiternal is singer, Oli Sykes, finally making the full transition to using clean vocals. A change that I say, “BRAVO OLI!” Sykes clean vocals are not far from his screaming voice, but they are still unique. The use of clean vocals also helps with expressing the lyricism better than any other Bring Me The Horizon album has been able too. An incredible example of this is the last song, “Hospitals For Souls”. The song is the most mature song lyrically, and musically the band have ever produced. The lyricism, dealing with the acceptance of the fear of death, is made all the more stronger by Sykes clean vocals. It works to the atmosphere to sing clean and low the prominent lyrics of losing that person you care about than screaming them out. It’s eerie, but beautiful to listen too, and should shut up any hater that says Bring Me The Horizon doesn’t have musical talent.

It’s weird because the bad I have to say about the album is in the two songs released before the album, “Shadow Moses,” and “Antivist”. It’s not that the songs are bad, it’s just that they are both the weakest on the album in terms of musicianship. Moses suffers from the generic chorus, breakdown, chorus formula that is rampant in the metalcore genre today. In terms of “Antivist” the song just feels out of place on the album as it is almost too angry. It feels like a song that would have worked perfectly on Suicide Season, but doesn’t exactly work on Sempiternal.

The final verdict:  If you won’t listen to Sempiternal because you don’t think it is heavy enough, or you are a hater of Bring Me The Horizon, you are truly making a mistake. Sempiternal is a bold album for the band, as two key changes lead to a drastically new sound. Mix in some experimentation music-wise, and you have a HELL of an album that is going to shock a lot of people. I just hope that shock is in a good way as Sempiternal is an album I feel like is going to be on my best of 2013 list at the end of the year.

FINAL GRADE:  A
CHOICE CUT:  “Can You Feel My Heart”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5aibZNVqS4&list=PLcZMZxR9uxC8x1b-IqehsFsSWemdLJWgk

Just to drive the point home...this is a pretty accurate depiction of my face when the album finished

A Bit of An Update Of What To Come

Hello readers! First off, I want to thank everyone who has looked, or read any of my pieces. The fact that some people have read my silly little opinions is motive enough to keep moving forward. As for the next couple of weeks, I got a lot planned for you readers. I'm definitely going to be experimenting with my own personal writing style in terms of making myself a little different from the rest of the pack. I also just received my copy of Alternative Press's 100 Bands You Need To Know issue. So a lot of those bands will be covered by me in the next couple of weeks in a new series of mini-reviews. As for my regular reviews and editorials, I promise you readers at least one a week. This is my goal and I am going to stick to it to the best of my ability. I hope you readers keep checking out my work and it helps you all find some great tunes!

BONAROO 2013!

 

Well music lovers, I was like some of you today. I was anxiously waiting at my computer to find out who was on Bonaroo this year. The festival, which started in 2002, has become a music mecca of sorts for 3 days in June in Tennessee. After seeing the bill last year, I told myself at some point I would trek down to Tennessee for this epic music festival.  The festival has all kind of music and entertainment acts that include bands and artist in the genres of Rock, Hip-Hop, Pop, Jazz, Blues, Country, Folk, Indie Pop, electronic, gospel, reggae, and even comedians performing stand-up. So, who are my top picks to convince me to drive over 10 hours to Tennessee for 3 days? Lets just name 5 entertainers I am dying to see shall we?

 1. Mumford & Sons

 

Yes, I am on the Mumford & Sons bandwagon. I just don’t like Mumford, I absolutely love them. They are the first folk band I have ever liked. Call it the mixing of catchy instrumentals and lyrics, or the natural musical talent of each member of the band, but I have been dying to see Mumford. Sigh No More, while not perfect, was an incredible surprise to me when I listened to it in 2010. The band only kept it up with Babel last year, which I do think justifiably won best album at the Grammy’s. Also, the fact that apparently in live shows, the band members switch instruments each song and know how to play all of them, is something I want to see. 

2. Wu-Tang Clan

I have to do this Dave Chappell reference...WU-TANG! Alright, with that out of the way, I love the Wu-Tang. Any rap from the 90’s I am a huge fan of. The thought of being able to see the legendary Wu-Tang Clan perform is something that is worth the high price admission to me. All I hope is that they play C.R.E.A.M. and show the young rappers who rap about meaningless crap a thing or two.

 3. Daniel Tosh

Wait? Daniel Tosh isn’t music? Yeah, I know, but I love Tosh too much as a comedian to pass up the chance to see him. His I don’t give a damn who I offend style is brave, and hilarious in my opinion. Sometimes it does cross the line, but I think the comedian will be a blast to see as a bit of a break from 3 days of music.

4. Nas

I already said I love 90’s rap, but Nas is one of those 90’s rappers who has constantly made new music ever since he started back in 1991. Not only that, but there isn’t a bad album in the Nas catalog. He’s one of the only rappers today who sticks to the idea of rap being a form of meaningful poetry and expression. I don’t want to see a rapper who raps about partying and getting action. I want to see a rapper who actually stands for something.

 

5. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

As you readers know, I loved Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s major label debut The Heist. It was an album that was a surprise for me in how honest and bold it was with its lyricism and production. I can’t wait to see these guys. If I get to at Bonaroo, I hope to god they get a little instrumental and creative and play “Bombom”.

Well there it is folks. 5 bands I am going to be in the crowd for at Bonaroo this year if I head down. As for the rest of the artist, they are all amazing talent that deserve some listeners. Head to the bottom of the page for a link to the full line-up for this years festival. Now if you excuse me, it's time to listen to these 5 artist above to start getting pumped. I don't even care the festival is about 4 months away.

http://lineup.bonnaroo.com/

Gary Clark Jr. - Blak And Blu

Hello My Summer Album

It’s time for another reader recommendation! This time though, it’s a very special one to me, because it was given to me by my Dad. The man who got me so heavily into music at a young age, and it has never stopped. After telling him I was starting this blog and how I loved the genre blending of Frank Ocean’s Channel ORANGE, he excitedly told me to look up Blak And Blu. Intrigued, since my dad always gave me good music, I did my research and found out that Blak And Blu is the first major label release of Gary Clark Jr., a blues guitarist from Austin, TX. Not even done with the first track on the album, I realized why my dad gave me the album. Blak And Blu is not only a great blues album, but an album that mixes so many genres perfectly, that it is an album that shows just an amazing love of music by Clark Jr.

Clark Jr. showcases such a strong love for so many genres that I made notes on each different genre that was used in the album, and with what songs they were used. Lets go through these shall we.

“Ain’t Messin ‘Round” - Rock with a Blues edge
“When My Train Pulls In” - Country Rock
“Blak And Blu” - R&B
“The Life” - Hip-Hop
“Numb” - Psychedelic Rock
“Things Are Changing” - Soul
“Next Door Neighbor Blues” - Bluegrass

I did this unconventional writing style to prove a point. There are so many different genres mixed into one album, that it shows such a strong love of music as a whole by Clark Jr. I know I brought this point up in Frank Ocean’s review too, but I love that artists are starting to do this. It shows such a burst of creativity that it is refreshing to listen too. In a day where artist and bands stick with one genre and fall into the tropes of the that genre, it’s awesome to see young artist taking risks by genre blending and experimenting. It is even more refreshing when the music is so well crafted and executed.

Production-wise, musicianship-wise, and lyric-wise, Blak And Blu shines bright. Clark Jr. is such a strong guitarist and musician that he can make all this genre blending work. His guitar work carries the rock and blues style songs, while his smooth, jazzy voice can carry the hip-hop and R&B songs with ease. When he mixes these two strengths, like in the blues and R&B mixed “Blak and Blu”, it is such a treat to the ears because it is a mix that you wouldn’t think would work, but does.

The final verdict:  I have nothing bad to say about Blak And Blu. It’s the type of album that is right in my wheelhouse. Creative, surprising, and fun as hell to listen too. The amount of genre blending and love put into this album is something that should be aspired too and marveled. Once again, I have to tip my hat off to my Dad for showing me another amazing artist and album.

FINAL GRADE: A+
CHOICE CUT: Black And Blu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYyM_Capz8I

 Tegan And Sara - Heartthrob

When reading Alternative Press’s 2012 Most Anticipated albums article last year, they asked indie darlings, Tegan And Sara, what influences they were taking with their 7th album. The band told the magazine they were listening to the likes of Tom Petty, Kate Bush, and ABBA while constructing their next album. Now, that album in question has been released, and to say they took a lot of influence from ABBA is an understatement. Heartthrob, the band’s 7th album, is pure dance pop that takes a page from the dance infused tunes from the 80’s that made the likes of Madonna and Men Without Hats successful.

Fans haven’t been particularly kind to this album. The last 6 albums in Tegan And Sara’s discography have been indie, acoustic albums with relatable lyricism. While the truthful lyricism is still in tact, the band have definitely taken the step towards becoming pop artist. The amount of 80’s dance sounds and influence from the album is astonishing. It kind of feels fresh in a day where synths are starting to sound the same in pop songs. 

I give a lot of credit to Tegan And Sara for changing genres so late into their careers. Progression is something a lot of artist, especially ones with as many fans as Tegan And Sara, are terrified to do. The step to go from indie to pop is something that will definitely piss off their hipster fans, but get over it. I’ll give a lot to credit to a band or artist that will try something different than do the same thing over and over again.

Now this album does have one major problem. Most of the songs deal with the same topic lyric-wise. Most of them are about love, and that’s about it. While I tend to like love songs done right, the album does wear the subject to a thread in the course of 12 songs. I can't stand when albums are all the same topic. You readers will realize it is one of my biggest pet peeves with music. A little lyrical diversity can’t kill an album, only help it.

The final verdict:  Heartthrob is a little perplexing for me. On one side, I do like the 80’s style dance pop the album has because it feels fresh and exciting. On the other side, it isn’t all that creative lyric-wise. Yes, the songs lyricism is well done, but they all deal with the same topic. I don’t really remember any songs really standing out except the slow and wonderful “How Come You Don’t Want Me”. I think Tegan and Sara deserve to branch out of the indie genre and try new things, but next time I hope they take more lyrical creativity and deliver a hell of a great pop album.

FINAL GRADE: C+
CHOICE CUT: “How Come You Don’t Want Me”

Silverstein - This Is How The Wind Shifts

Sometimes I love being proven wrong!

Doing this music blog, I realized early on that bands I haven’t given chances too would be brought up in reviews. Some bands would prove that they didn’t deserve my attention, and that they are over hyped (I’m looking at you Black Veil Brides). Other bands would prove that they deserve the attention and fandom they receive. I bring this point up because today we are talking about This Is How The Wind Shifts, the seventh album from post-hardcore heroes Silverstein. Silverstein is loved by almost everyone I know. I haven’t been on the love train of theirs because I just never really sat down with a Silverstein album. Listening to clips off their previous albums, nothing ever really stuck out to me. With this album, I get it...I finally get it. This Is How The Wind Shifts is a post-hardcore gem that while not perfect, flourishes high and about its competition.

The album is a concept album that focuses on the idea that a single moment in someone’s life can change that someone forever. Instead of being like most conceptual albums and following a narrative story line, This Is How The Wind Shifts takes a different approach of looking at multiple views of topics. Each track on the album has a parallel to it that discusses the same topic, but from a different mindset. It’s a risky, but creative idea that pays off in keeping your interest throughout the whole album.

Another strong point of the album is the fact that most of the songs have a catchy elements that grab your attention quick. A great example is off the first track “Stand Amid The Roar”. It has an infectious guitar hook that is one that I want to pick up a guitar and learn immediately, and I don’t even play guitar! Most songs have an aspect to them that will make you want to keep listening, whether it is a breakdown, a guitar hook, or some great lyricism.

The only bad note I can bring up is the shorter songs. Songs like “This Is How” and “Arrivals” take you out of the fast pace that the album brings up throughout the listening. The songs feel like interludes that don’t have as much power as the faster songs. They still hold messages yes, but they don’t resonate as much as the faster songs.

The final verdict:  This Is How The Wind Shifts is an album that goes for a high level of creativity and succeeds. The concept works, the instrumentals and vocals are strong, and the album is catchy as all hell. I now am on board with loving Silverstein. It took a while, but now I understand, and I’m damn glad I do.

FINAL GRADE: A-
CHOICE CUT: Stand Amid The Roar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTB4bifBpgI
 

The Return of Fall Out Boy

Last week, I discussed the impact of the band Underoath, and why them breaking up is a big factor in the world of metal music. This week, a bomb got dropped on the pop punk scene. Pop punk juggernauts Fall Out Boy, after being on hiatus for 4 years, announced their return with a new album, and tour. Fans lost their minds on Twitter, industry experts were baffled, and even I was blindsided by the news. Fall Out Boy was back and ready to pick up where they left off!

So you guys are probably asking, “What is your opinion on Fall Out Boy? Are you happy they’re back?” Well...I’ll just say I have a bit of mixed feelings. On the positive, Fall Out Boy returning tells the rest of the pop punk scene, which has picked up in the last couple of years, to step up their game. On the other hand, I haven’t been that big of a fan of Fall Out Boy. I, like every other kid in the mid-200’s, picked up From Under The Cork Tree and loved it at the time. Unfortunately, it hasn’t had that strong of staying power with me over the years though. I’ll talk about that more in a bit.

I’ll look on the positives first. Fall Out Boy returning is a good thing for pop punk. In a genre that is mixed with good bands with actual heart and love of the genre (The Story So Far, Transit, The Summer Set) and bad bands who are only popular due to their hot guy looks and generic, relatable lyricism (Mayday Parade, All Time Low) it’s nice to have Fall Out Boy back. Having them back will do two things.

1. It will make the good and bad bands realize that they need to step up their game to compete with a juggernaut force like Fall Out Boy. This will give us better music that is more focused and meaningful since if they don’t, fans will jump ship fast.

2. The bad bands won’t be able to recover the lost of fans thanks to Fall Out Boy and either fade into existence or change themselves to be better to compete.

On those two grounds, I am extremely ecstatic that Fall Out Boy are back. It will only make the other bands in the scene better, which is a good thing for all fans of the genre.

Now, as I said before, I’m not the biggest fan of Fall Out Boy. Them coming back doesn’t particularly effect me personally. I wasn’t at the computer screaming or going, “HOLY SHIT” I was just more like, “Wow...ok cool I guess.” Like I said before, From Under The Cork Tree hasn’t held up for me over the last couple of years. I can still listen to “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down” but that is about it. My favorite song from Fall Out Boy wasn’t even that song. It was “The Carpal Tunnel of Love” off of Infinity On High, and it was only because the music video was made in the world of Happy Tree Friends which made me laugh pretty damn hard. It’s not that Fall Out Boy is a bad band to me. They have factors that do make them different and unique in the genre like Stump’s vocals and their blending of genre ideas. It’s just after the years have passed, I can’t find myself relating to their lyricism anymore. I’m not that kid in middle and high school who struck out with the girls every time anymore. I’m now a college student with a steady 2 year relationship with the girl of my dreams. So Fall Out Boy’s lyrics of screw the girl or boy don’t exactly resonate with me at all. I understand that there is always going to be an audience for that, but that audience isn’t me anymore.

Fall Out Boy’s return is a mixed bag for me. On one angle, it is great for the pop punk genre that they are back, since it will make other bands try harder. On the other hand, I’m just not that big of a fan anymore, so personally I don’t care as much as others. That being said, I am always happy to see a big band reunite, because even if I am not a fan, it will effect me and a genre I enjoy in a good way.

Oh and by the way...here is that video I was talking about. If you don't like bloody humor...don't watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCV2h1uHx3o

Madeon - The City EP

 And not a sing bass drop was heard...

Electronic and bass music is a genre that I love when it is done right. By this, I mean it is actually cohesive, structured music that is fun to dance too. My problem with a lot of electronic music is it is so A.D.D. that there is no sense of structure. It doesn’t feel like a song to me, it just feels like the artist is sitting there throwing in any sound they can and if they make if fast, people will dance and like it. Either that, or they take the dubstep route and think a large bass drop will make the song automatically good. Those 2 ideas are what I have been hearing a lot in electronic and bass music lately, and I’m getting really tired of it. Then came a glimmering light of hope in the form of the short, 5 song EP by Madeon, The City. It is only 5 songs, most of them remixes of Madeon’s former singles, but that doesn’t matter to me. It’s time to get into the reasons why This City was my favorite EP of 2012, and why I am going to keep a sharp eye on Madeon in the next year or two.

Lets drop this bomb first. Madeon, his real name Hugo Pierre Leclercq, is only 18 YEARS OLD! I don’t know about you, but this blew my damn mind when I found this out. At 18, this kid has got a video with over a million hits on Youtube (his first single “Pop Culture” check it out) and 3 of his songs being used on national commercials or media products. So, how did this kid rise to fame? Well, This City shows you why real quick. The opener, the title track “The City”, is a expertly well crafted electronic song with great production and an endless use of different synth sounds, but has the sensibilities of great pop songs. Catchy lyrics, a wonderful chorus, it is just one of those songs that you want to put on a party and have everyone go, “Holy Crap! What is this song? This is AWESOME!” As if that isn’t great enough, the extended version of the song is even better. Where most extended versions show quickly why they weren’t the song sent to the radio, the extended version of “The City” is even better in my opinion because it keeps everything I love about the original song and just keeps it going. I know that sounds kind of stupid, but I can’t put my finger on the technical terms I can use to say why I like the extended version more.

The rest of the EP consists of excellent remixes or live versions of his other singles. The remix of his awesome song “Finale” done by Netsky starts slow, but picks up the pace pretty well as the song goes along. I still recommend the original version of “Finale” by Madeon more, as it is a great pump up song. Some video game players might know “Finale” as it is the song that opens up Play Station All Stars. Actually, that is how I found out about Madeon because I loved that opening song so much and decided to look up Madeon’s other work.

We then move on to the live version of “Icarus”. “Icarus” is a perfect electronic song in my opinion. The synths get you amped up to dance, it doesn’t feel unfocused by having too many sounds forced in by the artist, and it doesn’t feel like it has to be fast to be good! It just makes you smile and want to boogie! The final song is a remixed version of “Icarus” by Fred V. & Graffix. It is the weakest song on the EP, but it still is a great song to put on at a party as it’ll have everyone moving quick.

The Final Verdict:  Madeon’s The City might be a game changer in the terms of electronic music in my opinion. Everyone who I have showed it too doesn’t know exactly what type of sub-genre to classify it under. It is something unique and entertaining. It isn’t overproduced, and it has a pop sensibility most electronic music tries to turn away from. As for what Madeon is doing in 2013, the only known information is that he is working on a song with Lady Gaga for her next album, so it is safe to say people are noticing the talent

FINAL GRADE: A+
CHOICE CUT: EVERYTHING!...but I guess “The City (Extended Mix)”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyU2Ju46R1Q

 A$AP Rocky - Long Live A$AP

Something tells me I should have known what I was getting into...

I'm always weary of people telling me, “Hey dude! Check out this new rapper! He is dope as shit!” Usually 9 out of 10 times someone tells me a rapper is good, I end up hating them because they fall into the same problems I have with rappers today. Lets rap about how bad ass we are, how much drugs we do, and how many bitches we screw. Yeah...I’m sorry but I like my rap to have meaning like the days of Tupac and The Wu-Tang Clan. So this time, we got A$AP Rocky with his first album Long Live A$AP. A$AP has received great praise from critics and rap enthusiast after his mix tape Live.Love.A$AP. So I did have a little hope going in that I would get something that was on the better end for rap today. Too bad to say those hopes were dashed pretty damn quick.

This album could have been great. I see so much to love in this album. Very meaningful lyrics that could have had Rocky automatically on my good side. Too bad he ruins it really quick by falling into tropes of modern rap. By this, I mean trying way to much to look like a hard ass. Rappers, I’m going to say this right now...SAYING THE N WORD EVERY OTHER DAMN WORD IS NOT POETIC! IT’S JUST REPETITIVE AND MEANINGLESS! Phew, got that out of my system. A$AP falls into this trope of the overuse of the N word in the first song. It doesn’t stop there as each song on the album at least mentions the word once. I have heard amazing rap albums that don’t even utter the N word, so I find it pointless to exploit it to try to look awesome.

Another point that I should bring up is A$AP “tongue in cheek” misogynist lyrics. I put tongue in cheek in quotes because I didn’t get the feeling it was jokingly used. In some songs, yes I could see it, other songs not so much. Misogynist lyrics on a rap album will bring down my points on an album quick. I can’t stand rappers that put down women. I’m sorry you don’t look like a bad ass using misogynist lyrics, you look like a tool who has a compensation problem.

Its a shame really, because A$AP does have some great stuff to talk about in his serious songs. Unfortunately, those serious songs are few and far on the album. For one serious song you get like “Hell” you get three songs that jut go back to A$AP trying to look like a hard ass. It’s not something I look for in rap albums. I like rap albums with substance, songs that mean something. A$AP doesn’t seem too concerned with doing rap like that.

I will give credit where credit is due though. The production on the album is very well done. The fast paced production fits A$AP’s fast style of rapping very well. Each song works off whatever time signature A$AP is going with his rapping. This is especially shown in the fun “Wild For The Night”. A song I know I normally shouldn’t like because it is about partying, but it is infectious with a nice spot by Skrillex and great rapping done by A$AP.

The final verdict:  I understand why A$AP has fans and positive critical reception. The dude does have a lot of talent with his rapping ability and production. For me though, Long Live A$AP falls flat by falling into the negative stereotypes of just rapping about how awesome he is. Even with the songs that do show signs of leaving these stereotypes, they quickly go back in the area of being generic. If A$AP is just gonna be another rapper like the 100 others out there, I can’t say I’m going to support him.

FINAL GRADE: C-
CHOICE CUT: Wild For The Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW4gFZTi9So

Stray From The Path - Make Your Own History 

This one is a reader recommendation! One of my readers messaged me asking me to please do an album by Long Island, NY hardcore band Stray From The Path. I did a little research as to what critics consider their best album, and my answer was Make Your Own History. The album is the band’s second on Sumerian Records, which gave me strong hope as Sumerian lets their artist really experiment with their potential. This showcases really quick on Make Your Own History as Stray From The Path prove pretty quick that this isn’t your normal hardcore band.

First off, major props to vocalist Drew York. I’m bringing him up first because he is the real reason Stray From The Path manage to sound different from many hardcore bands. His vocals are indescribable for hardcore standards. While some might be turned off by his different voice, I believe it is strong, well forced, and something that takes Stray From The Path’s music and elevates it to something unique.

The other positive to bring up on the album is the amazing production that went into the craft of the album. I don’t know how to describe it, but you get a feel of a live aesthetic from how the recording sounds. You hear each drum hit, you hear each guitar strum, and you hear each bass string flicked. It all sounds like you are in the crowd of a live show getting ready to mosh.

The negatives to bring up are minor but still there. The lyricism is pretty normal for the hardcore scene. The whole idea of songs about people sucking, while in some cases true, is a little bit overdone. Also, the album does become a bit wearing towards the end, but that is only a minor qualm to bring attention too.

The final verdict:  Make Your Own History is a great reader recommendation for the hardcore listener. It’s fast, it’s brutal, and it does a great job of capturing your attention with its fantastic production and musicianship. If you like your hardcore, give these guys a listen, because now they are on my watch list for good hardcore bands.

FINAL GRADE: B
CHOICE CUT: Fraudulent
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ic8ilGjRmM

If YOU have a reader recommendation send them my way in a message or comment, and I will gladly take a look at it!

 Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - The Heist

After the explosion of the song “Thrift Shop” on popular radio, indie producer and rapper Macklemore and his production partner, Ryan Lewis, have broken into mainstream success. After telling my brother I was starting this music blog, he begged me to do a review of the album “Thrift Shop” is off of, The Heist, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s first major label album. I told him I would, but I didn’t have high expectations. He told me that I would be surprised to see that “Thrift Shop” wasn’t like the rest of the album, and that the album was awesome! So I got my copy and started it up. Not even after the first song, I had to admit defeat, as my brother was right. The Heist is one of the biggest surprises I have had with an album in a very long time.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis understand that rap has to stand for something. Macklemore has a lot of great topics to talk about in his songs. Take for example “Same Love”, a song about Macklemore calling out the rap genre for being homophobic. Songs like this I can get behind. Not only does it stand for something, but Macklemore is taking it a step further calling out his peers on something that needs to be changed. It is a great idea that accelerates Macklemore above his competition.

Another factor that gives Macklemore an edge is the amazing production done by his partner Ryan Lewis. Lewis has wonderful skills behind the production desk as he showcases he knows his skills on every song. The prime example of this is the instrumental track “Bombom”, a amazing track that showcases he knows his musical craft and that he knows how to experiment well.

I know I’m going to get a lot of lip for this next paragraph, but I honestly feel like “Thrift Shop” is the one song on the album that doesn’t fit. With all the other songs breaking the common tropes of rap songs and having meaningful messages, “Thrift Shop” just feels out of place. The lyricism, while catchy, just falls into the tropes of making Macklemore seem awesome, even if he is wearing his grandpa’s coat. It just doesn’t feel right to me being on the album. I will give credit where credit is due though, the production by Lewis is awesome on “Thrift Shop”. It feels like an old school rap song that honestly made me think of Will Smith in a good way.

The final verdict: The Heist is a major surprise in my book. My low expectations because of “Thrift Shop” were shattered by the first song as Macklemore & Ryan Lewis showed that they were a rap group that stood for something. Each song has fantastic messages, some even calling out the tropes of rap that need to change. I hope these two don’t let the fame get to their heads, and they keep making albums like The Heist.

FINAL GRADE: A-
CHOICE CUT: Bombom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNZkN7k-7qg