Week of Reel Big Fish, The Misfits, Dead Kennedys, and Black Label Society.

    

     A month has past in 2015 and now I will go back and talk about the shows I witnessed in January of 2015. I saw the legendary Dead Kennedy's and The Misfits, along with Reel Big Fish and Zack Wylde's Black Label Society. Let's go back and and discuss. 

Dead Kennedy's and The Misfits 01/10/15 Mid American Center

       When I first heard that Council Bluffs Iowa was going to bring The Dead Kennedy's, The Vandalls, and The Misfits to town I laughed it off as completely impossible. Turns out, some how Council Bluffs Iowa landed one of the best punk rock tours in a long time. It was called 6 rounds of punk, Six legendary punk bands in one night. Total Chaos, Guttermouth, Strung Out, The Vandals, The Dead Kennedy's, and The Misfits. The truth is that most of these bands are far past their glory days, and all missing original members, but it was still cool enough for me to go. 

Dead Kennedy's performing California Uber Alles live.

     The First band of the night was Total Chaos, all leather and spiked hair. They gave a high energy show that served as the perfect warm up band. Next up was Guttermouth a tried and old school punk band. The set was loud, fun, a little sloppy, and all punk. This band missed a few things, but reminded us that real punk shows aren't polished. Strung Out came out next, and would happen to be my favorite band of the night. Strung Out had the tightest, most concise set of. The harmonies were spot on, all the guitar solos were played above their heads, and even the banter was well structured. After that came the Vandals, who have been around for almost as long as The Dead Kennedy's or the Misfits. The Vandals were the most punk rock of the night with the guitarist jumping on stage screaming, "We had a blast here, they offered us a lot of drugs." They played all fast songs, with hilarious lyrics. The guitarist was amazing, he jumped off the guitar amps on the the crowd. For an old guy he went all out. 

The Misfits Helena live.

      Finally Out came The Dead Kennedy's with all the original members Klaus Flouride, East Bay Ray, and D. H. Peligro, except Jello Biafra. Who was replaced Skip Greer. The band sounded great except, Skip Greer who sounded sloppy. He got mad at the crowd for not being punk enough. This show was very disappointing. Skip spent more time talking and complaining than singing. When they were actually playing music they sounded good, especially on Holiday in Cambodia, but they just seemed old and biter overall. 

      Last up was The Misfits, the band was originally singer Danzig, guitarist Doyle, and Bassist Jerry Only. Now the only original band member is Jerry Only who is now the lead singer. I had heard bad things about the new line up, but I was already here and open to trying it. He wasn't messing around firing song after song with only seconds in between to get as many in as possible before the venue kicked us out. Most of the songs were actually played at a faster speed and sounded extra punk. If he was a bad vocalist before, then he must be taking voice lessons. He sounds like he's doing a Danzig impression, but a decent one. He was fun, charismatic, and even broke up a fight telling fans to fight others not themselves. They even played a new song Vampire Girl, dedicating it to his daughter. The show ended with fans selecting the last songs, ending with Helena.

Reel Big Fish 01/18/15 Wooly's

      It was finally time for the annual Reel Big Fish show. This time was different because, this time I got to meet one of my favorite bands of all time. After a short line Reel Big Fish was in front of me and all my witty things to say were gone. I was stuck without words. Arron picked up a sharpie and said he would sign it with a special sharpie. It didn't work and he threw it across the room. I killed the special sharpie. This show was a co-headlining tour with Less than Jake and somehow these two over the hill ska bands did the impossible, sold out Wooly's. Is ska cool again? It might actually be, there were more young people at the front of the show then I have seen since I saw Vampire Weekend. Authority Zero a veteran punk band opened the show. They played an eight song set of new and old school songs from a 20 year career to warm up the crowd.

Reel Big Fish playing SR live.

      After a few minutes of spending way too much on merchandise, much to my surprise Reel Big Fish came out instead of Less Than Jake. I threw my sweat shirt aside and ran into the pit. They opened the show with Trendy as they often do. I was surprised to see how many high school kids were there. Reel Big Fish have lost so many members that I now only know Trumpet Player Johnny Christmas and Singer Aaron Barret. Somehow that said they seem to have found a new groove. Even the setlist is different, more fresh than it has been years. They played songs I haven't heard in a very long time like My Life From Aaron's side project The Forces of Evil, Monkey Man, and 241. They also played SR for the first time since Scotty left the band. The new stuff fits in very well, and the new bits like mixing Sublime's Garden Grove with Thanks For Not Moshing or Beer with The Offspring's Self Esteem work just perfectly. They still to this day are one of the best live bands around. If you watch Reel Big Fish play, and hear Aaron's sarcastic banter, as he lovingly insults the crowd and his band. Along with the best ska has to offer, you will hear a kick ass show. If you don't believe me click the link above and hear SR and it's many versions live.

Less Than Jake Plastic Cup Politics Live.

     Next up was Less Than Jake as weird as that sounds. The crowd was a little timid at first not sure how to react, after what should have been the real headliner finished. They started off with Look What Happened and tried to get the crowd amped. After a while it worked, sort of. Some of the crowd left because they were no Reel Big Fish, but those who stuck around got a high energy show full of props, bits and jokes. Actually for me who's favorite album is the Anthem and favorite songs are Plastic Cup Politics and The Brightest Bulb Has Burnt Out/ Screws Fall Out, it was a great show. They played most of Anthem and ended their main set with my favorite songs. They used toilet paper guns, light shows, emo dancing parties, and the Pac Man cereal song. They ended their show by telling the fans that they were going to write the music for the Pac Man cereal commercial. That's right, Pac Man cereal is coming back and Less Than Jake wrote the commercial song. They played it four times throughout the night. It was a good show but Reel Big Fish should have played last.

Black Label Society 01/22/15 Sokol Auditorium

     Leave it to me to decide two hours before a show starts in Omaha without having tickets that I wanted to go. So at six I called a friend and asked if he wanted to go to see Zack Wilde play at eight, fulling expecting a no because of the time constraints, but he said yes. So we made our way to Omaha getting there just in time for Hatebreed. They seemed like an odd choice for Black Label Society, but they did their usual hardcore show and blasted through a quick and loud set with all their hits including "Destory Everything" and "This Is Now". 

Black Label Society Stillborn Live.

    After a much delayed start Zack Wylde and Co. came on with a vengeance.  Calling Zack a showman is a major understatement. He plays solos above his head from every side of the stage. They may have only played 14 songs, but that didn't count the nearly 20 minute guitar solo that Zack played. No I am not exaggerating, the other band members actually left with cigarettes and beers during the solos. He introduced the band members in the best ways possible one was chicken pichata because of his awesome cooking abilities. He dedicated The Blessed Hellride to Dimebag Darrell, proving he doesn't just own on the guitar, but on the piano as well. They ended the show the only way they can after an hour a half of rocking, with their song Stillborn. There wasn't an encore but there didn't need to be.

Week of The Decemberists and Belle and Sebastian

    Finnaly we have our first album review of 2015. A few of indie rock kings came out swinging in January of 2015. I am going to review a couple of them today. It's been along time since we heard from The Decemberists and Belle and Sebastian. It's good to have them both back. This week I will be reviewing The Decemberists- What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World, and Belle and Sebastian- Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance. 

The Decemberists-What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World-

Here is My Review of The Decemberists- What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World.

Recommended Songs: Make You Better, The Wrong Year, Carolina Low, and 12/17/12

4/5 Stars

Belle and Sebastian- Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance-

Here is My Review of Belle and Sebastian- Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance.

Recommended Songs: Allie, Enter Sylvia Plath, The Everlasting Muse, and Perfect Couples.

3.5/5 Stars

Week of October Conert Recap

     This has been a blog I have wanted to make for a long time, but frankly didn't have time for. So I'm going back to one of my craziest concert months in recent history. The month of October 2014. It was an insane month for me and now I'm going to review all the shows I attended in the month of October.

B.B. King 10/01/14 Arvest Bank Theater

      This was one of the more legendary performers that I have gotten to see, and that's saying a lot coming from me. I have wanted to see him for years and finally got the chance. At the theater the audience was beside itself after the lights dimmed. The band came out and started into an epic jazz jam session. Little did I know it but this would turn out to be the best part of the show. After an epic introduction, out walked B.B. King himself and the crowd went wild. They would start songs and the band would get into it, B.B. King would try to play along and do so for a little bit and then stop the band to tell a story. He would sing the first chorus of most songs and then he would just stop singing. The band would try to carry on for him when he couldn't play, but he stopped them ever 5 minutes. It was a very disheartening moment for many in the crowd who got up and left half way through. The rest of us stayed through all of the disappointment in honor of the legend and even gave a standing ovation after the show. People lined the aisles after the show to get one good picture of the living legend.

Ringo Starr and the All Starr Band 10/04/14 Starlight Theater

I had already seen  Paul McCartney and I really wanted to see both of the living Beatles. Unlike the other living Beatle, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr doesn't play all Beatles songs every night. he has more fun playing with a group of expert musicians from famous bands. Every night they go out and play music from all of their past musical groups. The played music from Santana, Toto, The Beatles, Ringo's solo work, and tons of other all star covers. The band had Ringo sing on only his songs, and Beatle songs. Other singers would come and sings some covers, like a revolving door of lead singers. Ringo spent most of the show in his happy place on the drums. He told great stories about his time with The Beatles and ended the show with a tribute to John Lennon by covering Give Peace a Chance by The Plastic Ono Band.

Of Montreal 10/07/14 Wooly's 

     I had never seen Of Montreal before, and they have one of the most unique live shows I have ever seen. The show started with an announcer in a super hero costume coming out with a video game back drop to announce the arrival of the band upon our city. This show had more props, costumes, and super hero clad announcers than I had ever seen. The stage roadies had almost as much of an important role in show as the band itself. Look at the picture above, one of many large and crazy costume prop combinations. The music itself it one of strangest, coolest, indie rock sounds in the business. The singer was a bit hard to hear, but the band was awesome and more than made up for it. The whole show was more like a musical than a show, full props, costumes, stage hands, lights shows, announcers, back up dancers, and video backdrops. It was a crazy special to behold.

Jimmy Eat World 10/10/14 Wooly's

      It's hard to believe that in 2014 Jimmy Eat Wold's Futures was already 10 years old. I loved Bleed American, but Futures was always my favorite. This event was the emo rock event of the year. It was sold out and everything. The band came out sincerely thanking the crowd and seemingly enjoying the walk down memory lane as much as everyone else. They played the whole futures album from front to back with only a few breaks to tell the audience how confusing the bands opinion about drugs was during writing the album. The ending of the main set with 23 was amazing and sent shivers down my spine. The band came back for it's first encore and played mostly b-sides. On the second encore is when the real hits came. They played my Best Theory, A Praise Chorus, and Sweetness back to back. The crowd went nuts and it capped off a very nostalgic evening.

The Pixies 10/11/14 State Theater

I had the chance to see the Pixies once before at Riot Fest 2013, but it was a very short set. I wanted to see them play a full show, and Royal Blood opening didn't hurt. Royal Blood opened with the best opening set I have ever seen. The Pixies started up with Ed is dead and tore through 31 mores songs without stopping for much more than a thank you at the end of the set. They came back for a quick encore of my favorite song Debaser and Planet of Sound. It was an amazing feat of musical skill. They may hate each other, but when they sound that good and play music off of all of their albums, who cares. The cherry on top was getting to meet the singer Black Francis after the show.

Ryan Adams 10/18/14 Stevens Auditorium

After waiting till the last second to get tickets because of scalpers not being able to sell enough tickets, I ended up getting 5 dollar tickets to see Ryan Adams. I had been a fan since the Cardinals first broke up, but had never seen him play. Mostly because he rarely tours anymore. After Ryan Adams walked out he had some technical difficulties and couldn't play for a few minutes. He took this time to tell some jokes to make the audience feel awkward and then launched into Gimme Something Good. Throughout the show he played material from all of his past albums including the Cardinals. He has some of the funniest banter around, "We used to have back up dancers but they quit after we played role playing games all night." He even did an improv song about being friends with his band and buying a gumball machine to fill with weed. The show was blast of folk, rock, indie, with some jams thrown in. They even ended the show with his heaviest song I See Monsters. An absolute was blasting rock jam that didn't seem to fit at all in the rest of the set, but made me very happy. 

Judas Priest 10/21/14 Arvest Band Theater

     Getting to see the legendary Judas Priest live was something I have wanted as long as I can remember. I missed them on the 2012 farewell tour, so I was ecstatic to get to the chance to see them in 2014. Even better was that Steel Panther was opening for them. After Steel Panther rocked and made the audience laugh their asses off, Judas Priest was up next. Everyone was wondering how Rob Halford would sound at his age. That question was quickly answered as the band opened with Dragonaut. Rob Halford sounded great and dressed in his usual leather jacket fashion, he had at least five others in the show. They Quickly followed that with Metal Gods, Devil's Child, and Victim of Changes before launching into my favorite new song Halls of Valhalla. They played songs from British Steel, Defenders of the Faith, Screaming for Vangence, Killing Machine, Sad Wings of Destiny, Stained Class, and Turbo. They ended the main set with Jawbreaker and Breaking the Law. During the first encore he came back with Hell Bent for Leather, and You've Got Another Thing Comin'. The second encore started with Rob Halford riding on to the stage with a motorcycle and playing Living After Midnight. The show ended with a crowd singalong of Defenders of the Faith. The entire crowd looked like a drunken pub crawl singing the national anthem, or in this case the metal anthem.

My Top 20 Albums Of 2014

     Just like last year I will be reviewing or describing my top 20 albums of the year and why I chose them. These albums are only my personal opinion so if your favorite albums aren't on the list it might be because I don't like that genre via rap, pop, country, or dupstep. It also might be because I haven't had a chance to hear the album yet, so if you want to complain about my list feel free, but for the haters and trolls in the words of Simon Pegg, "get on with your life and Sod off". Without further ado here are my top 20 albums of 2014.

20. Sabaton- Heroes -

      Sometimes when you listen to an album you don't enjoy it because it's revolutionary or because it sticks out more than the bands other albums, but because they do what they have always done well. Sabaton does that here. This time around we end up back on the battle fields of Poland and beyond as Nazi's are killed and kill war heroes. If you came here expecting something other than history/war power metal at it's best than this album isn't for you. If you like that sort of thing check out Sabaton- Heroes they are one of the best power metal bands around.

19. St. Paul & the Broken Bones- Half of the City-

      My story of this band begins at Bonnaroo this year. I got there early to hear the first band of the day and was amazed at the sounds of soul coming from the stage. I was shocked to find out it was a band of all white people, that's this album in a can. A group of all white guys guided by a love for church gospel and James Brown craft the best soul album of the year. They add a bit of new flair to the sound by adding some electronics to the mix and the spectacular vocals from Janeway capture the sounds of 70's soul and funk with a twist.

18. Weezer- Everything Will Be Alright In The End-

      In the lead single Back to the Shack when Weezer say rocking out like it's 94 most fans laugh, because a claim of going back to the sounds of the Blue album is a notion that even most die hard Weezer fans had given up on. This time though we would all end up being surprised. They really pull out all the stops on this one hiring Ric Ocassick of the Cars on as producer for the first time since the Green album. The song writing is back to the old style of reminiscing about past lost loves, relationships with parents, it's fans, and even the band itself. This album is a true Weezer Comeback album hopefully not the last one like it.

      My biggest hope in writing this blog entry is that at least one person reads this and walks away with the intention to check out one of the best underdog rock bands of this generation. With five best of the year albums in five years and blistering live shows, it amazes me that The Men haven't caught on in the mainstream yet. Through the years their albums have ranged from post rock, to groove metal, to progressive metal. In just five short years they have done it all and won me over in the process. This new album groves along at a much quieter pace then the last few much louder albums, but still rocks. I met the band and they promised to come to Des Moines, when they do, you had better be there because it gonna rock.

16. Interpol- El Pintor-

     With talks of best comebacks of 2014 we would be remiss not to talk about the incredible return to form from one of New York's coolest rock bands. Ever since loosing bassist Carlos Dengler the band has put out two disappointing albums trying to get back to what they had with him in the band. After a hiatus and a lineup change, the band was reinvigorated and inspired. It shows on El Pintor or the painter. This album just ozzes the cool and brooding of the old Intepol from Turn on the Bright Lights and Antics, but also adds some real swagger and range with Paul's new crazy falsetto vocals. It's the same thing they used to do with a new lineup, a few new tricks, and new inspiration.

15. Jack White - Lazaretto-

      Jack White is one of my favorite musicians ever and has never put out an album that has disappointed me, and that continues here. Jack White has crafted a seriously depressing album that he has denied multiple times to be about his divorce from Karen Elson, but I don't by it. This is a pure and simple break up album, and a great one at that. From songs like Alone in My Home, to Temporary Ground, or Would You Fight For My Love he has some serous hurt here. Musically the album follows in the footsteps of Blunderbuzz with a discography full of musical sounds, and he nails ever one. This may just be another notch on his belt for Jack, but it also another solid album.

14. Future Islands- Singles-

      I'll admit that this album took me a bit to get into, but when I did I realized how genius it is. If you don't get what makes this album any different than any other synth group of the 21st century just watch Future Islands on David Letterman, and then you will understand. Frontman Sam T Herring has this undeniable energy about him. They don't just craft the best syth pop album of the year but probably they best quintessential 80's album of the year. What I mean is that there are tons of synth pop albums every year, but 80's albums had the synths and also that energy and feel that made them different. I think this album with Samual at the helm with his uniquely powerful voice and energy has that spark.

13. The War On Drugs- Lost In The Dream-

This is the biggest example of not understanding the hype of an album. I really didn't hear what other music critics heard when they listened to this album. Most of the critics put it at number 1, 2, or 3 on the best of the year lists. I liked it, it was a solid folk album, but not best album of the year or even on the best of the year list. Then I listened to it again, and again, then it hit me. This album has the most heart and soul of any modern folk album and the subtly to leave some story to the imagination. It's inspired by the folk greats of the past and plans to lead us into the new generation of great folk rock music.

12. Against Me!- Transgender Dysphoria Blues-

      The story behind this album is more famous now then the album itself. Lead singer of Against Me! Tom Gable announces that he has been living a lie and decides to become a woman, or Laura Jane Grace. This album tells that story and it tells every aspect about it. The truth about punk music is that it's always the message that makes good punk music great, and that's what Against Me have done. They were always a good punk band, this story with their music, and voice, pushes them into being a great punk band. Everyone should hear this album for the story alone it's emotional and inspirational, not to mention a great album.

11. Robert Plant- Lullaby And The Ceaseless Roar-

      Robert Plant's  Led Zeppelin days are long gone and the reunion is never happening but Robert Plant's solo work is starting to reach the heights of his day in zep. This album sees him in a truly inventive side of his work. With the help of his amazing band the Sensational Shifters, he reinvents himself in a truly different way settling his high notes for low soothing ones, and the hard rock blues for a more melancholic Asian sounding, alt rock affair. His album is one of most unique new albums I have heard in a long time, and I love it for that. Please keep reinventing and innovating Robert.

10. Mastodon- Once More 'Round The Sun-

     Mastodon have six albums and six best of the year list albums. They have evolved from a sludge metal band into one of the best progressive metal bands around. They have been know to make some of best concept albums in all of rock, but the past two albums have gone without the concept and done just fine. They are right in the middle of their peak stride and I hope they keep at it because it's sounding great.

9. The Devin Townsend Project- Z2-

Devid Townsend is and has always been one of the weirdest men in metal, and music in general. I love him for it and hope he stays that way. His newest album is the long awaited follow up to Ziltoid the omniscient, which is an album about an alien that comes to earth for a cup of it's best coffee and is disappointed so he invades earth. It's actually a double album the first being a disc called Sky Blue from his band Devin Townsend Project. The first disc is actually his most accessible disc yet with Devin and Anneke preforming their best vocals ever and as always very strong hooks on poppier album. The second disc Dark Matter is the sequel and has a much more over the top convoluted plot, X files style, involving war, alliances, and of course coffee. The plot takes a front seat to the music, but what is there, is epic songwriting and a story I couldn't begin to describe. Just listen to the record. It's one of the strongest double albums of the year.

8. Ryan Adams- Ryan Adams-

Ryan Adams is one of rock music's most tortured souls and this album was actually intended to be another album that was deemed to sad to be released. That's saying something coming from Ryan. This album brings back electric guitar in a big way, but also has some of the best songwriting I have heard from him in years. It's all spot on the emotions, the lyrics, the hooks, and the album as a whole. It's much more inspired and spirited than Ashes and Fire. In truth this album is a mature and personal record from an artist who's songs are usually more clouded and less personal.

7. Spoon- They Want My Soul-

      Spoon has always been one of the most dependable bands in rock and they continue that here with an album that stacks up to their best work. To me Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga will always be my favorite but this album is a rebirth of sorts for Spoon. It's the same band with similar sounds, but used textures and silence much differently on this record. The hiatus and time with Divine Fits have brought new energy to the band and more importantly soul. The tital of the album is a description of the band finding new areas of discovery in a long career. This album groves along and is as good as their best work, it just groves along in a state of utter coolness.

6. Cloud Nothings- Here And Nowhere Else-

      If you could only listen to one punk album this year I hope this one is the one you heard. Dylan Baldi was a solo artist for the most part up until 2012's Attack on Memory where he recorded with an actual band and bounced his ideas off of other people. It paid off big time as that album was also best of the year worthy. He does it again here. He is just the master of creating huge hooks in loud and in your face garage punk music. With all the that going for it and the short length, you might think that it's lacking in subject matter, but it dives deep covering living in the now and doing what it takes to get through the day to day pain and grind. He has the song writing ability and maturity of a much older artist and the angst and fire of a young artist inspired. He will rock your face right off.

5. Killer Be Killed- Killer Be Killed-

Killer Be Killed is 2014's metal super group of the year. The band consists of members of Mastodon, The Dilllenger Escape Plan, Soulfly, and The Mars Volta. If that doesn't already sound like promise than nothing will. This album comes together in the best way possible with all of the best elements of all of their bands coming together. There are elements of groove metal, progressive metal, Sludge metal, and over all hard rock. The hooks on this album are huge and lead to some of the best metal choruses I've heard in a long time. This could have been a disaster, but it came together perfectly. They all worked off each others strengths so well. I hope they make another record, and hell a tour would be amazing.

4. Swans- To Be Kind...-

      Michael Gira dives deeper with every release at age 60 than most musicians reach at the peak of their careers. Swans last album The Seer was a monster and the follow up seemed extremely daunting. Instead of trying to recreate The Seer he digs deeper and goes even more primal on a double album that puts Michael Gira's soul out there on the page for people to see or rather hear. This album is intense and long, but at it's core it's tackling simple concepts like beauty in everyday life and around all of the chaos and dysfunction there is still love, hope, and happiness. It is worth going through the darkness to find. This is some seriously deep noise rock.

3. St. Vincent- St. Vincent-

Anne Clark is an indie rock star in the best sense of every word. She is able to keep creating and pushing herself without feeling overrun by popularity or expectation. Her albums and live shows just keep getting better despite all odds. Her new album thrives on strong songwriting that is the best it's ever been channeling pure creative artistry in her attempt to record her own loneliness. The album has some futuristic sounds and tendencies, but is very much biased in the here and now, about all of life, the beauty and the ugliness. This is a truly inspirational scifi-esce art pop album that will inspire anyone on who will give it a chance.

2. Beck- Morning Phase-

      Beck's time away from the music world was sad and very noticeable by me personally. I love everything he puts out and didn't know it would be the better part of a decade before we heard from him again. This was announced because of a spine injury he had been unable to play live shows so he just decided not to release or work on music because it hurt too much. It's mostly better now and it's great to have him back. His newest effort not counting the song reader or it's album is the follow up of sorts to the beautiful break up album Sea Change. This album is different but with similar themes. This album pays tribute to California and is a road map to 70's folk and psychedelic music, it does it justice. The album's sadness is about his spine injury and the pain and sadness or not knowing whether he would ever be able to play music again. Although it's very haunting unlike Sea Change the album comes off as more hopefully for the future and overcoming sadness then wallowing in it. Put simply it is one of the most heartfelt, beautiful, and hopeful albums of the year.

1. Opeth- Pale Communion-

     Music at it's most powerful can make you feel things and tell a story that can't be told or felt in any other medium, that's the ultimate goal. No album made me feel more than Pale Communion, that may sound corny, but when was the last time that an album gave you chills just listening to it. This is the only album of the year that gave me that feeling. That is the best part about an Opeth album, since every one is different, you never know what you are going to get. Every time it's a powerful musical experience but always different. They started out as a death metal band, but have shifted recently toward prog metal. This album takes the prog metal approach and runs with it, expanded sounds and new instrumentation with strings, horns, and back up gospel choirs adds a new flair to their Swedish magic. This album will entrance, and excite with it's musical composition in it's epics. It encorporates the best elements of prog with a Swedish vibe; tonality, dynamics, and contrast. It works together so well as one piece of music almost like a classical symphony. All eight tracks flow into each other. Steven Wilson works wonders as producer with his friend Mikael Åkerfeldt who is the singer and song writer for Opeth. He continues to inspire and amaze, and after 20 listens this is still hands down my favorite album of the year.

Week of AC/DC and Smashing Pumpkins

         Another round of catchup here this time it's bigguns only. Both are two of rockbands biggest rock bands one of which is great the other is good, but not necessary. Can you guess which one is which. This week I will be reviewing Smashing Pumpkins- Monuments of an Elegy and AC/DCs- Rock or Buts. Let's Find out witch one rocks and wich ones busts. 

AC/DC- Rock or Bust-

Here is my review of AC/DC's Rock or Bust-

      Recommended Songs: Rock or Bust, Play Ball, Miss Adventure, and Rock the House.

3.5/5 Stars

Smashing Pumpkins- Monuments of an Elegy-

Here is my review of Smashing Pumpkins Monuments of an Elegy

     Recommended Songs: Tiberius, Being Being, One and All (We Are), Drum and Fife.

4.5/5 Stars

Week of Pink Floyd and Foo Fighters.

     This past few weeks I have been busier than ever before, but if I hope to remain a music critic I have to review the two albums that dropped last week. Once is the final album ever and another a creative and new way to make albums. This week I will be reviewing Pink Floyd's The Endless River and Foo Fighters' Sonic Highways.

Pink Floyd- The Endless River-

Here is my review of Pink Floyd's The Endless River.

    Recomended Songs: Ebb and Flow, Allons-y 2, and Louder Than Words.

4/5 Stars

Foo Fighters- Sonic Highways

Here is my review of Foo Fighters Sonic Highways.

     Recommended Songs: Something From Nothing, Feast and the Famine, and I am a River.

4/5 Stars.

Week of Slipknot and Weezer

     The fact that I have to keep explaining why I haven't been here should let you know that I have been super busy with, things, stuff, and junk. This week was too big albums that every music critic has to cover and so I will. I have to huge albums one a return to form and the other just a return. This week I will be reviewing Slipknot's .5: The Gray Chapter and Weezer's Everything Will be Alright in the End.

Slipknot .5: The Gray Chapter-

Here is my review of Slipknot's .5: The Gray Chapter-

     Recommended Songs: The Devil and I, Nomadic, Custer, The Negative One, and If Rain is What You Want.

4.5/5 Stars

Weezer- Everything Will Be Alright in the End-

Here is my Review of Weezer's Everything Will be Alright in the End.

     Recommended Songs: Back to the Shack, The British are Coming, Cleopatra, and The Futurescope Trilogy.

4.5/5 Stars