We Do What We Want
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Emery Emery do what they want. I'm glad they do because it results in very good music. In their sixth album, they once again tweak their style enough to create some of their heaviest and some of their softest...
Awake And Remixed
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Skillet "Hard rock" and "remix" don't seem to go together. Yet here we are with Skillet's latest project: remixes by Skillet's own Korey Cooper and former guitarist Ben Kaisca. The four tracks...
My Brain Says Stop, But My Heart Says Go!
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FM Static I've always been a moderate fan of FM Static's pop/punk music, especially Dear Diary. When I first heard they were moving on to a polished more-pop-less-rock sound, it didn't sound that appealing. Luckily,...
We Do What We Want | Posted April-29-2011
Emery do what they want. I'm glad they do because it results in very good music. In their sixth album, they once again tweak their style enough to create some of their heaviest and some of their softest songs to date. The whole CD hardly slows until well past the halfway mark and then closes with two heartfelt ballads. My worry for this album was that without their second lead vocalist (who recently announced his departure) and the harmonies we've come to love, it would fall short. Although the harmonies are missed, the contrast between screams and vocalist Toby Morrell's fantastic singing voice is more than enough to make the album as amazing as it is. On top of these changes, there also is a significantly darker vibe than on other albums with more faith based based lyrics than ever. There isn't a bad song on here, but some of my favorites are The Cheval Glass, Curse of Perfect Days, The Anchors, You Wanted It, Daddy's Little Peach, and my new favorite slower Emery song, I Never Got to See the West Coast. All in all, a fantastic CD worth every cent.
My Brain Says Stop but My Heart Says Go | Posted April-11-2011
I've always been a moderate fan of FM Static's pop/punk music, especially Dear Diary. When I first heard they were moving on to a polished more-pop-less-rock sound, it didn't sound that appealing. Luckily, my introduction to their new style was in the form of the title track. "My Brain Says Stop and My Heart Says Go" is an incredibly catchy tune that's on the better side of the genre in my opinion. It even has some hip hop elements that might remind you of TFK's first album. The whole album is filled with carefree gems like that. It's easy listening through and through and you're sure to be singing along in no time.
My favorites off the album continue with the next track,"F.M.S.T.A.T.I.C.." Beginning with a cheer, it's a fun, albeit corny, song that's sure to become an anthem for any FM Static fan. The contagious "Hey (I Want It)" has been stuck in my head since I first heard it. I've caught myself randomly singing it around the house more times than I'd like to admit. "Cinnamon and Lipstick" is an upbeat and sentimental love song that's definitely a highlight. "Black Tattoo" brings the album to a more serious mood as it tackles the story of a girl who finds the strength to move on from an abusive relationship. The R&B tinged "Last Train Home" is a great slower track capturing the highs and lows of friendship.
Although this is certainly a solid album for the duo, it does miss some of the lyrics that Dear Diary got so perfectly. The songs are at times simple and even a little cheesy. Despite that, if you take the record for what it is - a pure fun summer soundtrack - you'll definitely love it.
Awake and Remixed | Posted April-11-2011
"Hard rock" and "remix" don't seem to go together. Yet here we are with Skillet's latest project: remixes by Skillet's own Korey Cooper and former guitarist Ben Kaisca. The four tracks come from Skillet's latest and most succesful album, Awake. Firstly, I should admit I stand with the minority in thinking that Awake was a step backwards for the band, so I had little to no expectations for this release. Plus, more often than not, remixes annoy me. They're usually just sped up and drawn out versions of a song that never make it to the level of the original. However, Skillet do step out of that norm, for better or worse.
This point is proven with the first track. Awake and Alive was given a very poor remix title. The Quickening? I guess it sounds better than The Slowing. The whole song is much slower than the original which you won't find in most remixes.The next track, Hero (Legion of Doom remix), isn't a very surprising or memorable rearrangement of the song. Also, it's around this point I started noticing how the vocals don't go well with the music. John Cooper's fantastic made-for-rock voice pulled from the heavier original songs don't mesh well to me in 3 out of 4 of these lighter tracks. There is that one exception though. Don't Wake Me (Pull Remix) surprised me. I'm not a fan of the original and, thankfully, I find myself liking the remix moreThe last track I found myself enjoying a bit too. Monster (Unleash the Beast) starts off well
My low expectations were exceeded, I'll give them that. Still, it's a very mellow listen and I can't picture myself listening to it often. Besides the surprise of Don't Wake Me, the EP serves as another example of remixes that fall short of the originals. Hopefully Skillet will bounce back soon with new material.
Who Can Know It? | Posted March-09-2011
There are a lot of unique bands out there. But saying Showbread is unique is a gross understatement. They're in a league of their own. If you ever thought you had this band's style down then allow Who Can Know It? to prove you wrong. The band has changed before, but not like this. Here you won't find any of lead singer Josh Dies' trademark screams that I've come to love. So what is there? A more gentle rock approach that even features some harmonies and piano driven songs.
The album begins with A Man With a Hammer. This brings me to one of my favorite things about Showbread. The don't skirt around issues. It might make for some controversy and PG-13 songs, but I love the brutal honesty of their lyrics. The verses of this song are filled with horrible scenes of sin. Following is the chorus "Before I could ever love you back/You gave your love to me/Now I see my sentencing reprieve/You offer me your everything/Even though I am still me." The strong contrast between our own wretchedness and God's grace makes for an unforgettable worship song.
Personally, out of all the songs, my favorites are You're Like a Taxi and Myth of a Christian Nation. The first of these is a song that, in all seriousness, I would love to have played at my funeral. It's a moving song thats point is because Christ conquered death we no longer have to fear it. Now it is nothing more than transportation to our permanent home... like a taxi. The second of my favorites, Myth of a Christian Nation, offers a harsh and convicting look at the American church. Musically, it's definitely the song I like most.
As a diehard Showbread fan, I respect the creative leap the band took with Who Can Know It? but I have to be honest: I find the music very hard to get into. A few of the songs seem to blend together and after a while some of the vocals start sounding borderline monotonous. That said, it's still a good album, especially thanks to the amazing lyrics. Plus, it's free. How can you go wrong with that? I'm still a huge Showbread fan and can't wait to see what they do next. I'm sure whatever it is will be just as unexpected as this.
Best TFK Album | Posted March-09-2011
My favorite kind of CD is the ones where, if asked what your favorite song is, you honestly have no idea. This is one of those for me. Since it's 2009 release, I've listened to it over and over and still love each track. I think if you you mixed together all the best parts of Thousand Foot Krutch's earlier albums, Welcome to the Masquerade would be the result. The combination of their earlier nu metal/rapcore days along with their later hard rock style makes for a unique sound all their own.
Lyrically, the theme of the album is made apparent from the start with the title track. The message portrayed is that we all live behind the mask of things we try to hide from the rest of the world. The theme carries through with some of the heaviest songs the band has made to date, like highlights Bring Me to Life, E for Extinction, Scream, and The Part that Hurts the Most (Is Me). Masquerade also marks the return of TFK's pure fun, anthemic rock songs that seemed to have disappeared for a while with The Flame in All of Us. "Fire It Up" and "Smackdown" may not have any lyrical depth, but you can't help but love them.
One of the reasons I can listen to this album without it getting old is how versatile it is. Although the majority of songs are loud rock, there are other sides of the band mixed in. Forward Motion is a catchy tune with a positive message that is more pop than rock. Look Away is another stand out with it's soft sound and storyline lyrics. Inspired by letters and emails from struggling fans, it's a song of hope in the face of depression and suicide. The last track of the album, Already Home, starts with a beautiful instrumental piece and continues to end the album in a worshipful mood.
If you're a hard rock fan and still haven't picked up this album, go buy it! There won't be any regrets.
Not Their Best | Posted March-09-2011
I think the Art of Breaking is very much a hit and miss CD. The songs that are good- Absolute, Move, The Art of Breaking, Hit the Floor, and Breathe You In- are very good. Classics for any TFK fan. But the rest of the songs all seem to blend together and the lyrics are probably the worst out of their CDs. I wouldn't recommend this album as a whole, but there is still some songs on here worth checking out.
Amazing First Album | Posted March-09-2011
Flyleaf's debut was my favorite album for the longest time. After all these years of having it, I still love it. It's refreshing to hear a female fronted band that doesn't fall into the typical Christian cheesy chick rock category. Not only that, but they've gained widespread maintstream attention, not by watering down their message, but because they're just that good. Although the lyrics and music are superb, the best component of Flyleaf has to be the vocals. Lacey Mosley's one of a kind voice ranges from soft, beautiful singing to harsh screaming in seconds. I'd recommend the album as a whole, but if I had to pick highlights, I'd chose I'm So Sick, Breathe Today, All Around Me, and Cassi.
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