Avenged7fold “Nightmare” The multi-genred rockers are back with an almost “concept” album following the death of "The Rev" (the drummer). “Nightmare” gets you into the album with a radio friendly tone but be forewarned, this album takes multiple listens with track times longer than most attention spans these days. It’s a good album though not their best and the band continues to evolve. Check out their older albums that are getting re-released to find some hidden old gems. Rock on. Metal
Johnny Cash “Ain’t No Grave” So what if it’s kinda the same song as “Gonna Cut You Down” but it’s the best track from American VI which may be the last new music from the country legend. Country
Hatebreed “Become The Fuse” Jasta returns with the hardest metal band working today and always with inspiration not hate. “The strength to be the catalyst to action. Awaken!” Metal
Brandon Boyd “Courage & Control” Why these singers think they need to release solo albums that sound exactly like what they would have put out with their band is beyond me but hey. I like Incubus so here’s the best song off the unnecessary “BB” solo CD. “Give yourself permission,” to enjoy it. Rock
Big Boi “Shutterbug” Why these rappers think they need to release solo albums that sound exactly like what they would have put out with their group is beyond me but hey. I like Outkast and the 1st release from ½ the team is pretty good. Hip Hop/Rap
Vinnie Paz “End Of Days” Why these rappers think they need to release solo albums that sound exactly like what they would have put out with their group is beyond me but hey. If you enjoyed Jedi Mind Tricks or the Army of Pharaohs then you’ll love the album by the leader of said groups. Paz is simply one of the best in “underground” rap today. This track is his best effort to date counting all his group work and appearances. Really good stuff. Hip Hop/Rap
J Boog “Let’s Do It Again” Never a big fan of Reggae, this infectious groove caught me a bit off guard but it’s hard not to bop along to this encouraging ditty. Reggae
Hanson “Thinking About Something” Yes, it’s that Hanson back again with pure positivity that you cannot help but smile and dance to. That is unless you have no soul. And who is that guest tambourine player in the music video? I believe if you look close it’s “Weird Al” Yankovic! Pop
Nelly “Just A Dream” The STL rep to the Hip Hop world has fallen off on his last couple of efforts but he brings it back while getting his “Usher on.” Nelly can channel the R&B. Hip Hop/Rap
Hey Marseilles “Rio” This is not the Duran Duran cover you were expecting so relax. It’s more of a “keep moving forward” type song with encouragement. Indie
The Roots “The Fire” The Roots are teaming with John Legend on a new album and here’s their 1st work together. We all know how talented this group was already and now they have just added to their creativity. “Reach for the sky and never let anyone tell you otherwise.” Hip Hop/Rap
Lyrics Born “I Changed My Mind” Had not heard this cat before but he combines the rhyming word with funk and hip hop in an inventive way. Good luck not bobbing your head to this catchy fun track. Hip Hop/Rap
Stone Sour “Say You’ll Haunt Me” Always a fan of Corey Taylor though not usually so much with his original band (Slipknot came 2nd). This is a good start for the band’s new album which is pretty standard fare though much better than Papa Roach, Nickelback, Godsmack, Finger Eleven and the crap that rule the rock airwaves of today. Rock
Sonny & The Sunsets “Too Young To Burn” I am just a sucker for the resurgence of surfer music coming out these days (Wavves, Surfer Blood, Real Estate, etc.) and this may be my favorite so far. “Every tear rolling down is a, lesson learned. Are you too old to turn are you, too young to burn?” Rock
The Gaslight Anthem “She Loves You” The new Jersey sound (no Jersey Shore jokes please) creates a marching beat to this sing-a-long. A blue collar true love story complete with Romeo & Juliet. "And if all was well, and your heart could find the words. Would we be for better baby, would we be for worse? And if there was a way to navigate your seas. If tonight my true love, did belong to me.” Rock
House Of Broken Promises “The Hurt (Paid My Dues)” Finally, some awesome new heavy metal! Most of the new/nu metal these days is pure shiite but this gritty group of hard asses can actually be understood and rock hard. It’s a miracle. Metal
OTEP “Confrontation” Though OT3P isn’t new (nor is this song), this bitch rocks harder than most men and with a political passion that I admire. “Stand up speak out strike back!” Girls should listen to this and not worthless dis empowering drivel like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry. Metal
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers “I Should Have Known It” Tom Petty and the boys will always rock but they really bring the swagger with them on the 1st release from the new album “Mojo.” "Its over now you see, it’s the last time you gonna hurt me.” Rock
Noah Hunt & Jason Dennie “Shakin’ Hands” You may remember Noah from his team ups with Kenny Wayne Shepherd but striking out with buddy Jason they hit home with a sad song about returning to your broken heartland and avenging your honor. “And I ran so far, from that place. With the green eyed devil, with the angels face. And that man down there, he made a fool outta me. That woman of mine, brought me to my knees.” “I’m goin’ down to Alabam, goin’ home ta kill a man. Lord won’t you guide my shakin’ hands.” Rock
Old Crow Medicine Show “Alabama High Test” Drug fueled blue grass music is so common these days (especially on MTV) but OCMS does it the best with this song about bootlegging illegal narcotics in their old tymey way. Country
Fol Chen “In Ruins” To be honest I’m not a fan of this group yet this song about treating a riot as an excuse to party is infectious to say the least. The beat just kicks and the smooth groove forces you play this one over and over. Pop
Freedy Johnson “Don’t Fall In Love With A Lonely Girl” Sporting a piano riff even I could play only sets the stage for a simple sweet song of advice for dealing with the fairer sex. Pop
Gogol Bordello “Last One Goes The Hope” I won’t claim to understand all of Eugene Hutz's music but I love it. A bit more mellow from the normally blitzkrieging gypsies on this the best track from the new album "Trans-Continental Hustle.” Punk
The Killigans “Season Of My Weakness” Irish punk music about self-loathing goes hand in unlovable hand here. I think it’s obvious I have an affinity for this type of music. Punk
Mark Bates “Death Sucks” The runaway favorite of this set list finds the unknown Bates killing it (ha) on a joyful song about death. All the different uncomfortable death scenarios are played out here and I laugh out loud at the 2:27 mark every time I play this song! Indie
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