Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Queensryche - Take Cover

Take Cover is a Queensrÿche cover album, released on November 13, 2007. Its release was announced by the band on August 28. "We'll never top the originals; they're classics for a reason," singer Geoff Tate says. "We were more focused on finding different approaches that took the songs in unexpected directions."
He explains that the album gave the band a chance to have some fun. "During sound checks, guitarists Mike Stone and Michael Wilton like to play 'name that riff,' and sometimes the whole band joins in. That's really the way this album came together. We got together and started playing songs to each other, and then we picked our favorites."
Queensryche has only released a few covers, one of them being a powerful interpretation of "Scarborough Fair" in the early 1990s. Some of the 11 selections naturally fit the band's progressive rock influences, particularly Pink Floyd and "Innuendo" by Queen, one of Tate's favorite bands. Others will definitely raise eyebrows. The group is giving Broadway a spin by performing "Heaven on Their Minds" from "Jesus Christ Superstar," as well as the O'Jays' R&B classic "For the Love of Money," the operatic "Odissea" by Italian duo Carlo Marrale and Cheope and an acoustic version of Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth."
Tate says he enjoyed the demanding arrangement of "Odissea." "I really like this song because there is a lot for a singer to sink his teeth into," he reports. "Plus I got a chance to sing in Italian, which was interesting, considering I don't speak a word of it."
He considered singing "Red Rain" and The Police's "Synchronicity II" opportunities to explore music he'd previously overlooked. "I'd heard these songs on the radio before, but I didn't really appreciate them before the guys suggested we record them," he admits. "It was a rewarding experience doing this album because it gave us all a chance to pay tribute to some of the bands that have meant so much to us over the years, and we all discovered new songs to love."

Tarja Turunen - My Winter Storm

Hot on the heels of Nightwish's new album (charted at 25) comes former frontwoman Tarja Turunens debut album under her "Tarja" personna.Press coverage in Kerrang, Rocksound, Powerplay, Classic Rock with a dealer namecheck ad and with CD and poster giveaway for the Spinestores. Will be performing in London in December at the Electric Ballroom with more dates next year. Video is playlisted on Scuzz, MVN and Kerrang TV

Motley Crue - Dr. Feelgood

Motley Crue's biggest seller, Dr. Feelgood is the best example of Beyond Music's CRUCIAL CRUE series reissue of the band's catalog. A meaty and in-your-face digitally remastered sound, with added extras of four demos and a hitherto-unreleased track, improve this title greatly. Superlative liner notes are also included.

Riding a string of platinum releases, Motley Crue here employed producer Bob Rock to help achieve the blockbuster sound that accompanied their glam metal image; the title track kicks in with a ferocity not heard since SHOUT AT THE DEVIL. Drummer Tommy Lee's shuffle propels "Kickstart My Heart," while singer Vince Neil wails to good effect on the radio-friendly "Without You." Crowd favorite "Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.)" sensitively explores lesbianism, while the politically incorrect "She Goes Down" features guest vocals by Cheap Trick's Robin Zander. Although album closer "Time for Change" proposes a better future through social action, don't look for a deep message on Dr. Feelgood. This is perfect pop metal.

Darkthrone - Transylvanian Hunger

5 starsTransilvanian Hunger to represent Black Metal
This is a briliant Black Metal album. I would chose Transilvanian Hunger to represent the genre, however I think Skald Av Satans Sol is the best song by Darkthrone.
Submitted by Max (Paekakariki, New Zealand) 5 starsGlorious
Top Black Metal band, top Black Metal album, 2nd favorite in the genre only to De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas. However number 1 when it comes to Black Metal bands.
Submitted by Thamuz (Canada)
5 starsa true black metal fan will enjoy this
this album sounds like burzum this is probably there most well worked album and my favorite ...actuall its tied with there first 2 realeases the 2nd track rocks and so doeas transylvanian hunger darkthrones first 3 releases are some of the best metal albuims evr they are the best black metal act sept maybe burzum might be btr but hey buy there first three albums!!!.. and let the freezing (or funeral) moon control you
Submitted by dead is the best bdm singer evR! (seattle,WA,usa)

Weezer - The Blue Album

All songs written or co-written by members of Weezer.

There's a demented pop fanaticism to Weezer you gotta love. Weezer's debut, produced by former Cars frontman Ric Ocasek, combines Pixies roller-coaster guitar rides with a helping of Beatle-esque moptop harmonies. Ocasek's production and Weezer's strong material will bring a glimmer of recognition to the eyes of anyone who remembers the Cars' melodic pop hooks.

Weezer's songs are groovy garage sales you wish happened every weekend. Songs like "The World Turned And Left Me Here" and "Surf Wax America" betray the heart of a kid who would rather skateboard to work every day than face up to the responsibility of buying a car.

Rivers Cuomo's wit and songwriting chops are evident in "In The Garage," where he sums up his generation's fascination with kitsch pop culture. Cuomo readily makes fun of Kiss posters and his own "stupid words" and "stupid songs," but later, in "Say It Ain't So," his self-mocking seems more like self-protection. After a decade of divorced parents, Cuomo comes to terms with a childhood he didn't want to give up. "Dear Daddy I write you in spite of years of silence," he admits, begging him to "Say It Ain't So."

WEEZER breathes life into the bloated corpse of guitar rock. If they'd only stay little till their pop records wore out, maybe more bands would be as enjoyable as Weezer.

Led Zeppelin - Mothership

Led Zeppelin redefined rock in the Seventies and for all time. They were as influential in that decade as the Beatles were in the prior one. Their impact extends to classic and alternative rockers alike. Then and now, Led Zeppelin looms larger than life on the rock landscape as a band for the ages with an almost mystical power to evoke primal passions.

- from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's web page on the band's 1995 induction: It's rare that a group can truly rock today s world, but the arrival of Mothership, the first-ever comprehensive 2CD Led Zeppelin compilation with the soon to follow re-release
of The Song Remains The Same on CD & DVD and a concert event reuniting Jimmy Page,
Robert Plant and John Paul Jones qualifies. Produced by Page and mixed by Kevin Shirley,
Mothership's 24 monolithic tracks were selected and sequenced by the band, who also
oversaw the painstaking remastering. Spanning their epic career, the unprecedented
collection pulls immortal songs from all eight of the band s classic studio albums,
one of the 20th century s most enduring bodies of musical work. Arguably the most influential
and innovative rock band ever, Led Zeppelin has sold over 200 million records worldwide.
They continue to inspire successive generations with their passionate, groundbreaking,
genre-transcendent, mystic, heavy and blues-infused rock n roll. Forty years since they formed,
the song indeed remains the same.

Fuel - Angels & Devils

Nearly four years after 2003's Natural Selection, Fuel finally returned with its follow-up, Angels & Devils. In the interim, the Pennsylvania-based rock band endured the departure of vocalist Brett Scallions and drummer Kevin Miller, along with a failed attempt to recruit popular American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry. This '07 outing finds Fuel revitalized, thanks largely to the presence of new singer Toryn Green, who tones down the neo-grunge drama in favor of a slightly subtler approach (see the mid-tempo anthem "Wasted Time"). While not a radical departure for the neo-grunge act, ANGELS does mark a significant new chapter for Fuel, and proves that it can soldier on, despite major setbacks.

Amoral - Reptile Ride

Usually the press materials accompanying a review copy of a CD are filled with hype and wishful comparisons to successful bands. But in the case of the Finnish band Amoral, the description of their music is actually pretty accurate. They call it "progressive, technical and melodic death thrashing metal."
Reptile Ride is heavy and dense, packed with riffs and very catchy melodies. Amoral takes that melodic death style and infuses a lot of progressive elements, including long instrumental breaks and tempo shifts. Guitarists Ben Varon and Silver Ots do a nice job creating powerful riffs and interesting solos. Their abilities are especially showcased on the instrumental "Apolcalyptic Sci-Fi Fun."
Delving into the progressive always brings the risk of self-indulgence and wankery, but Amoral avoid that pitfall and their forays into that area are interesting and for the most part, enjoyable.

Rob Zombie - Zombie Live

The long-awaited first live album from Rob Zombie has arrived. A brain-bashing, soul-shaking sonic earthquake, Zombie Live (Geffen Records/UMe), released October 23, 2007, in both clean and explicit versions, spans songs from the hard rocker's entire career. Rob Zombie has sold over 15 million albums worldwide and continues to be one of Geffen Record's top selling artists. Recorded in 2006 during the tour supporting the Educated Horses album, which hit #5 on the Pop chart, Zombie Live finds Zombie leading a supercharged band featuring guitarist John 5, bassist Piggy D, drummer Tommy Clufetos and was produced by long-time co-writer and producer Scott Humphrey.

Upcoming songs
Carrie Underwood - Ever Ever After Lyrics
Lenny Kravitz - Bring It On Lyrics
Leona Lewis - Homeless Lyrics
Jay-Z - Sweet Lyrics
Bow Wow - Slam Lyrics
Simple Plan - When I'm Gone Lyrics