They're baaaaack! Or so they say... think about it. Can you ever really trust a rumor of a Fall Out Boy reunion? Well you can when it's the band themselves saying it, so it's not a rumor. Yes, after years of speculation (basically since they went on hiatus in 2009), Fall Out Boy have reunited (although they claim they never broke up, it's still a reunion since they weren't "together"). They have announced a new album "Save Rock And Roll", along with a supporting tour, and they've released a new single.The single "My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)" was released today (February 4th 2013) to promote the new album. Now my next review was going to be Dead Silence by Billy Talent, but I had to talk about this. So here is my review of Fall Out Boy's new single "My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark".
The first thing I noticed was how catchy this song is. If Fall Out Boy can do anything right, it's make a catchy song. However I also noticed this was a lot more pop than I'm used to from them, but it seems to me with the pop instrumentals and having Two Chains in the music video (I refuse to stylize Two Chains), combined with the less than great lyrics, this is meant to gain publicity through radio play, to promote the album. Pop radio listeners surely won't care about listening to a less than great song, considering the shit that plays on those stations daily. Compared to Rihanna or Nikki Minaj, Fall Out Boy are legends. I like Fall Out Boy, but considering that the music video had the caption "Two Chains edition" I hope that there exists a better version for the album, and I hope that despite the obvious message of leaving the past behind, that they still know what longtime fans of the band enjoy, and don't just leave us behind with the past.
Well, that's it. I know this wasn't much of a review, but the next one will be better. Overall, I give the new FOB single a 7 out of 10. I do hope the rest of the album will be better. That's a wrap, next time I review Dead Silence by Billy Talent.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Friday, December 28, 2012
Green Day Trilogy Part III: ¡Tré! Review
Well, the Green Day trilogy has come to and end. Being a Green Day fan, I've followed the trilogy since ¡Uno!, and now it's time for my review of ¡Tré!, since I got it for Christmas. So here it is.
Track one is called Brutal Love and it starts of slow, but very emotional, and even when gets heavier, it maintains the emotion. It takes a while to really pick up, but that's a nice change from ¡Uno!, which never really slowed down at all. This was a great way to start the last album in the trilogy, the beginning of the end so to speak.
Track two is called Missing You and it's very punk, yet manages to maintain an emotional feel. It's what Fell For You should have been (see my review of ¡Uno!). It's very fun, yet you can still hear the emotion in the songs. Mike Dirnt has a great bass line in this song, and Tré Cool has some great drum parts (which makes sense, this album being called ¡Tré!).
Track three is called 8th Avenue Serenade, and besides the inexplicable false end at the beginning of the song, it's a great song. It's fun, and very Green Day, but I really don't have that much to say about it. This may sound lazy and stupid, but I just don't have much to say, and not just because this song is less than three minutes.
Track four is called Drama Queen and, while slow and acoustic, it's a really fun song. However I can't tell if he's talking about his daughter or some girl. Also despite the song being called Drama Queen, there's no reference to any dramatics from this girl. Basically, if you don't try to make sense of the lyrics, it's a great song.
Track five is called X-Kid, and this song basically describes feelings everyone has felt sometime in their life. It's fun and punky, but people can relate to it, while rocking out. I know this seems lazy, but I really don't have much more to say about it.
Track six is called Sex, Drugs & Violence, the song that for one reason or another features Mike Dirnt on solo vocal for a few seconds. Despite the song's name, this doesn't sound like a song about Sex, Drugs and Violence. However, despite a misleading title, it's a very fun song, that makes you want to jump around. I'd also like to hear more of Mike Dirnt on vocals, whereas in Linkin Park I don't want Brad Delson becoming a regular vocalist (see my review of Living Things by Linkin Park). My only problem with this song is that I think it goes on for too long. They could've said what they needed to say in less than 3 and a half minutes.
Track seven is called A Little Boy Named Train, and this song gets to the rocking guitar, right from the start. I'm sure many people can relate to these lyrics, but why does it sound like Billie Joe's voice was pitched? It sounds higher than normal, and not like he's going out of his range. Overall this song was fun, and very human (a term I used to describe a song that everyone can relate to).
Track eight is called Amanda, and you know what this song is about from the get-go. This song is also very human, and very fun at the same time. My only problem with this song is that it's too short. It doesn't say enough, and I'm wondering more about the story of this song.
Track nine is called Walk Away, and this song is laced with emotion. I love it, it's human, and the whole band shines in this song. I'm sure everyone listening to this song has felt like this one time or another. The guitar is great, the vocals and lyrics are great, the drums are great, it's just great.
Track ten is called Dirty Rotten Bastards, and it's one of those Green Day songs that's like 5 songs in one, like Jesus Of Suburbia, or 21st Century Breakdown. The first part was fun, and I really enjoyed listening to it. The second part sped up, and feels liked the kind that you'd mosh to at a concert. The third was a slow version of the first part, and then you have this slow part with one lyric, "Carried Away". I liked it, but I don't think it fit with the rest of the song. There was hardly even a transition.
Track eleven is called 99 Revolutions, and I read in Alternative Press that this was an overdue song about Occupy Wall Street, and while that's the main message of the song, it could be just another generic revolution song. It's a great song, just with semi-generic lyrics.
Track twelve, the one ending the trilogy, is called The Forgotten, and whoa, what a way to end. People will argue with me, but this is possibly the best Green Day song ever in my opinion. You have Billie Joe's raw emotion, combined with his guitar, and piano, Tré Cool's drums, orchestral background, the whole package, but it really was Billie Joe's time to shine. The lyrics are fantastic, the emotion is clear, the entire song is a masterpiece. I don't care that it was five minutes, it's five minutes of perfection. I have nothing bad to say about this song, because it is a masterpiece. If it seems like I'm sucking up to Green Day here, it's because this song is truly amazing. Read my other Green Day reviews, I never praised a song more, than I praised The Forgotten. This is my favorite Green Day song, and with good reason.
Overall I give ¡Tré! a 10/10. It was definitely the best of the trilogy, you have the emotional stuff, mixed in with the punk rock, and concluded with a song like The Forgotten. I have more to come soon, my own conclusion of the Green Day Trilogy review, and I'll probably review Quatro separately. Well, that's it for now. Next time, A Trilogy In Retrospect: A Summary Of The Green Day Trilogy (Review Part IV)
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Revenge of the Mini-Review: Flyleaf "Fire Fire" live video Ft. Kristen May mini-review
So, if you're a Flyleaf fan who owns a computer, you've probably heard that vocalist Lacey Sturm has left the band, and has been replaced by Kristen May, formerly of Vedera. Well, on November 19th, Flyleaf releaesd a video on YouTube of a live performance of their new song Fire Fire featuring Kristen on vocals. Now, I understand that live videos are nothing compared to the actual thing, but I thought I'd give my thoughts on the video anyway. So here is my review of "Fire Fire" live featuring Kristen May on vocals.
Now there are a lot more pros than cons, so I'll get the cons out of the way. She doesn't have the power in her voice that Lacey had, but then again, Lacey was a phenomenal vocalist. Also she has a nasty habit of passing over words like "it" or "is" repeatedly, but then again, she was probably catching her breath. Overall I think she did a very good job, and I enjoyed her first recorded performance with Flyleaf. However, I have said I am giving her two chances, like with Annette from Nightwish. That's all for now, I'll probably review Tre next. But here's the video, for those of you who haven't seen it.
Now there are a lot more pros than cons, so I'll get the cons out of the way. She doesn't have the power in her voice that Lacey had, but then again, Lacey was a phenomenal vocalist. Also she has a nasty habit of passing over words like "it" or "is" repeatedly, but then again, she was probably catching her breath. Overall I think she did a very good job, and I enjoyed her first recorded performance with Flyleaf. However, I have said I am giving her two chances, like with Annette from Nightwish. That's all for now, I'll probably review Tre next. But here's the video, for those of you who haven't seen it.
Sum 41 concert review
So, I've never done a concert review, but I think this deserves talking about. I was supposed to go to see Papa Roach at Uproar, but they cancelled and for me they were the main attraction, so I went to see Sum 41 at the House of Blues Orlando instead. Here is my review.
The openers were both local bands, The Sweet Escape from Port St. Lucie, and A Hero's Fate from Orlando. The Sweet Escape went on first, and they were great, they were fun to watch, and the songs were great. The same thing goes for A Hero's Fate. Then Sum 41 came on, and they were fantastic! I don't normally dance and jump around at concerts, but Sum 41 got me moving. This being 10th the anniversary tour of "Does This Look Infected" They started by playing most of that album, then they played the songs even new fans know. They played everything from Fat Lip to Screaming Bloody Murder. The encore was great, although they really made the audience beg for it. They played a punk version of "We Will Rock You by Queen, some of Sabotage by The Beastie Boys, then played Fat Lip, and closed with Pain For Pleasure. Did I mention Deryck is a phenomenal frontman, and was so much fun to watch. If it seems like I'm sucking up to them, it's because they were that good. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who likes rock music and is looking for a fun show. If you are in Canada and this applies to you, I would strongly recommend seeing them, because not only is Sum 41 there, but also Billy Talent, who are great. Overall, I give their live show a 10/10.
The openers were both local bands, The Sweet Escape from Port St. Lucie, and A Hero's Fate from Orlando. The Sweet Escape went on first, and they were great, they were fun to watch, and the songs were great. The same thing goes for A Hero's Fate. Then Sum 41 came on, and they were fantastic! I don't normally dance and jump around at concerts, but Sum 41 got me moving. This being 10th the anniversary tour of "Does This Look Infected" They started by playing most of that album, then they played the songs even new fans know. They played everything from Fat Lip to Screaming Bloody Murder. The encore was great, although they really made the audience beg for it. They played a punk version of "We Will Rock You by Queen, some of Sabotage by The Beastie Boys, then played Fat Lip, and closed with Pain For Pleasure. Did I mention Deryck is a phenomenal frontman, and was so much fun to watch. If it seems like I'm sucking up to them, it's because they were that good. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who likes rock music and is looking for a fun show. If you are in Canada and this applies to you, I would strongly recommend seeing them, because not only is Sum 41 there, but also Billy Talent, who are great. Overall, I give their live show a 10/10.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Blood On The Dance Floor Trilogy - All The Rage
Blood On The Dance Floor are like the Stephen Kings of music, not in that they're fantastic at what they do, but because they spit out so much music each year, that it's hard to keep up with. They've released two full length albums just this year, and last year released a full length album called "All The Rage", which I will review today. Keep in mind I am going into this review completely unbiased, I am not the type that thinks "BOTDF is awful and should die" but I'm also not the type that thinks "BOTDF is the greatest band alive". I am one that thinks Blood On The Dance Floor is a mouthful and BOTDF is a necessary acronym. So here is my review of All The Rage by BOTDF.
Track one is called Dark Dreams, and opens with a 1 minute, 20 second build up, that is completely unnecessary. Then you get to the song itself. It's okay, but nothing special for BOTDF. Pretty typical considering their previous work. But then you have lyrics by Lady Nogrady, and sadly, that is the only thing separating this song from the rest. A little guest vocal isn't going to save this song from sounding repetitive.
Track two is called Find Your Way, and it opens with Stephen Hawing voice, and then more annoying electro beats. I hate this song musically, lyrically it's a good message, especially for BOTDF's target audience, but again, repetitive. Better than Dark Dreams... I guess.
Track three is called Happy Violentines Day, and I love this song musically, it's okay lyrically, not bad. I enjoyed this, but there are a few cliches such as the counting, the na-na-na, despite this being one of the dark, violent BOTDF songs.
Track four is called Bewitched featuring (yet again) Lady Nogrady, and as far as I can tell, this is a love song about Nicole Kidman, sung by Will Ferrell. It's basically a generic love song, sprinkled with BOTDF's Halloween theme. The thing that separates this from the others, is Lady Nogrady gets an entire verse, and the only thing separating this from other stupid love/breakup songs is the witch theme.
Track five is called Nivana, and unlike Dark Dreams, this starts pretty quick. It's pretty stupid lyrically, awful musically, and it ruins the name of an awesome band. It's basically Atlas Shrugged for bullying victims. BOTDF is their John Galt, Nirvana is their Atlantis. Pretty stupid if you ask me.
Track six is the title track, and it's pretty annoying vocally, and doesn't stop until the chorus. It's okay lyrically, not bad musically, but the vocals by Dahvie I presume, are so annoying you'll want to snap the disc. Not a great title track.
Track seven is called The Untouchables, and this is just dumb. The first verse doesn't fit with the rest of the song, and the rest of it is just as dumb. Basically there is not lyrically consistency, and musically it's just as bad, but at least the music is consistent.
Track eight is called X x 3, and this is one of those sex songs like on their album Epic. Lyrically, it's a generic sex song, musically, it's okay, I mean, for an electronic sex song. The whole thing is pretty mindless and repetitive. Not very good.
Track nine is called P.L.U.R., and while the whole Peace Love Unity Respect message is great, it doesn't fit with their contradictory violent songs, or their sex songs. Vocals are okay, pretty good musically, good lyrically, but what redeemed this song in my eyes is when he said Music is my religion. That one line rocked.
Track ten is called Star Power! and the family guy sample was an awesome way to kick it off, but it gets worse from there. For some reason this song had to be the video game song. Every generic electronic group has one, and this was it. Horrible lyrically, good musically, not horrible vocally. Overall, the family guy sample was the high point.
Track eleven is called Yo, Ho, and for some reason, they decided to make a pirate song. Lyrically, this is horrible, vocally, okay until the pirate voice. Despite this, it's pretty damn good musically, until the chorus. This was worse than Dark Dreams, and that's really saying something.
Track twelve is a bonus track called The Loving Dead/Love Sucks, and considering the name and length of this song, it's most likely two songs crammed into one. Surprisingly, The Loving Dead was good, musically and lyrically, and I was very happy to see another enjoyable song on this awful album. Then we have Love Sucks, and while it's a message their fan base can relate to, it's pretty bad lyrically and musically. The bad thing is, it's so damn catchy.
Track 13 is a remix which I won't review.
Track fourteen is called G.F.A., and since I'm sick of BOTDF, I'll finish this quickly. It's great musically, okay lyrically, I guess. The members of BOTDF are pretty bad vocally, but this also features Nick Nasty, Lady Nogrady and JJ Demon (yay). The others were pretty good but JJ Demon kicked ass. I'm probably thinking biased here, but this might be the best song on the entire album.
Overall 5/10. It seemed like every song was lacking somewhere, if not musically, then lyrically or vocally. I did enjoy a few songs on the album in every aspect, but that isn't saying much, considering I liked every single song on Linkin Park's new album. Maybe they learn from their mistakes and improve in their next album Evolution, or maybe they do what sells and confirm every suspicion I had about them.
That's all for today, tune in next time when I review Tre by Green Day, unless I get around to something else first.
Track one is called Dark Dreams, and opens with a 1 minute, 20 second build up, that is completely unnecessary. Then you get to the song itself. It's okay, but nothing special for BOTDF. Pretty typical considering their previous work. But then you have lyrics by Lady Nogrady, and sadly, that is the only thing separating this song from the rest. A little guest vocal isn't going to save this song from sounding repetitive.
Track two is called Find Your Way, and it opens with Stephen Hawing voice, and then more annoying electro beats. I hate this song musically, lyrically it's a good message, especially for BOTDF's target audience, but again, repetitive. Better than Dark Dreams... I guess.
Track three is called Happy Violentines Day, and I love this song musically, it's okay lyrically, not bad. I enjoyed this, but there are a few cliches such as the counting, the na-na-na, despite this being one of the dark, violent BOTDF songs.
Track four is called Bewitched featuring (yet again) Lady Nogrady, and as far as I can tell, this is a love song about Nicole Kidman, sung by Will Ferrell. It's basically a generic love song, sprinkled with BOTDF's Halloween theme. The thing that separates this from the others, is Lady Nogrady gets an entire verse, and the only thing separating this from other stupid love/breakup songs is the witch theme.
Track five is called Nivana, and unlike Dark Dreams, this starts pretty quick. It's pretty stupid lyrically, awful musically, and it ruins the name of an awesome band. It's basically Atlas Shrugged for bullying victims. BOTDF is their John Galt, Nirvana is their Atlantis. Pretty stupid if you ask me.
Track six is the title track, and it's pretty annoying vocally, and doesn't stop until the chorus. It's okay lyrically, not bad musically, but the vocals by Dahvie I presume, are so annoying you'll want to snap the disc. Not a great title track.
Track seven is called The Untouchables, and this is just dumb. The first verse doesn't fit with the rest of the song, and the rest of it is just as dumb. Basically there is not lyrically consistency, and musically it's just as bad, but at least the music is consistent.
Track eight is called X x 3, and this is one of those sex songs like on their album Epic. Lyrically, it's a generic sex song, musically, it's okay, I mean, for an electronic sex song. The whole thing is pretty mindless and repetitive. Not very good.
Track nine is called P.L.U.R., and while the whole Peace Love Unity Respect message is great, it doesn't fit with their contradictory violent songs, or their sex songs. Vocals are okay, pretty good musically, good lyrically, but what redeemed this song in my eyes is when he said Music is my religion. That one line rocked.
Track ten is called Star Power! and the family guy sample was an awesome way to kick it off, but it gets worse from there. For some reason this song had to be the video game song. Every generic electronic group has one, and this was it. Horrible lyrically, good musically, not horrible vocally. Overall, the family guy sample was the high point.
Track eleven is called Yo, Ho, and for some reason, they decided to make a pirate song. Lyrically, this is horrible, vocally, okay until the pirate voice. Despite this, it's pretty damn good musically, until the chorus. This was worse than Dark Dreams, and that's really saying something.
Track twelve is a bonus track called The Loving Dead/Love Sucks, and considering the name and length of this song, it's most likely two songs crammed into one. Surprisingly, The Loving Dead was good, musically and lyrically, and I was very happy to see another enjoyable song on this awful album. Then we have Love Sucks, and while it's a message their fan base can relate to, it's pretty bad lyrically and musically. The bad thing is, it's so damn catchy.
Track 13 is a remix which I won't review.
Track fourteen is called G.F.A., and since I'm sick of BOTDF, I'll finish this quickly. It's great musically, okay lyrically, I guess. The members of BOTDF are pretty bad vocally, but this also features Nick Nasty, Lady Nogrady and JJ Demon (yay). The others were pretty good but JJ Demon kicked ass. I'm probably thinking biased here, but this might be the best song on the entire album.
Overall 5/10. It seemed like every song was lacking somewhere, if not musically, then lyrically or vocally. I did enjoy a few songs on the album in every aspect, but that isn't saying much, considering I liked every single song on Linkin Park's new album. Maybe they learn from their mistakes and improve in their next album Evolution, or maybe they do what sells and confirm every suspicion I had about them.
That's all for today, tune in next time when I review Tre by Green Day, unless I get around to something else first.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Green Day Trilogy Review Part II - ¡Dos!
Well, it's that time again, Green Day has released a new album in their trilogy. As I recall, I gave Uno a pretty damn good review, but now it's time for ¡Dos!. If this album is anything like the last one, it'll get a pretty good review. So here is my review of ¡Dos! by Green Day.
Track one is called See You Tonight, and not only is it pretty damn short, it's slow and pretty weird, not like anything on Uno. There really isn't enough to talk about for me to say anything interesting about it.
Track two is called Fuck Time, and this is a pretty badass song overall, but I don't think the fuck in the name was necessary at all. I like it musically, and besides the name, it's pretty good lyrically, but the song seems to be centered around that one word. It almost seems like bad songwriting, but then again, the rest of the lyrics are great.
Track three is called Stop When The Red Lights Flash, and this song is fast and energetic, not to mention it was one of a few featured on my favorite TV show, CSI: NY. I'd feel weird if I didn't mention "Don't stop when the red lights flash" was a line in "Oh Love", the first single from Uno. This is a good song musically, pretty good lyrically, and all very energetic, which is what Green Day is known for.
Track four is called Lazy Bones, and this is one of my favorites because the whole "I'm too tired to be bored" theme describes how I feel so much. It rocks musically, and as I said, I love the lyrics. The whole thing hits pretty close to home, and in this case, that's a good thing. Green Day never fail to entertain me.
Track five is called Wild One and it almost sounds like a continuation of Lazy Bones with no lyrical relation. The lyrics are good, the music is great, and if it seems like I'm sucking up to Green Day here, it's because I normally don't buy and review albums I don't think I'll like. Overall, pretty good song.
Track six is called Makeout Party, and it rocks. The lyrics are kind of weird, but the music is great, and more than makes up for the facts that the lyrics hardly make sense to me. This is the kind of punk rock Green Day is known for, and I love it.
Track seven, and the first single off the album, is called Stray Heart, and it starts off with a great bass line by Mike Dirnt, and then you hear Billie Joe. The lyrics are great, the music is good, although the chorus is a bit too simple. The weirdest thing though was the music video, which looks like it belongs at an indie film festival. I'd like to meet the director of that video.
Track eight is called Ashley, which is the first line of the song and the murder weapon of headphone users. This song is very energetic, and while I believe songs named after a girl is way too cliched, it doesn't mean they're all bad, and this one is very good.
Track nine is called Baby Eyes, and it's another loud, energetic song. Great musically, good lyrically, and one I'd love to see live. I don't have that much to say about it besides that.
Track ten is called Lady Cobra, which I think is the name of the rapper on the next track, and this is a very energetic song, with great lyrics, and kick-ass punk sound. The one thing is, like many of the other songs, it's too short. This could've been a lot longer than the final product.
Track eleven is called Nightlife, and this song was criticized because it was very experimental, and included a female rapper. The rapping was okay, but was a bit excessive, Billie Joe was great, the lyrics he sang rocked, and the whole song was great musically. Personally, I think these critics are complaining about nothing, but that's just me.
Track twelve is called Wow! That's Loud, and while the name is appropriate, it could've been louder. Despite this, the song is good lyrically, great musically, and it's energetic, and will make headphone users say Wow! That's Loud!
Track thirteen (yes, this is the only one in the trilogy that had thirteen tracks and not twelve), is called Amy, and was a tribute to Amy Winehouse, who passed away recently. The song was great lyrically, musically, and is catchy as hell. And it's a much slower song, which we didn't see much of on Uno, and is appropriate, considering the subject matter. A great way to end the thing.
Overall I give ¡Dos! a 9/10. It still has a lot of the in your face punk from Uno, but was more musically diverse. You have the loud, energetic punk, like Stop When The Red Lights Flash, but you also get a break from that, like on Amy. That's two of three in the Green Day trilogy, considering how diverse this was, and how awesome The Forgotten is, I can't wait for ¡Tré!. However, seeing as that won't be out until December, and I probably won't be able to get it until Christmas, I'll have to enjoy ¡Uno! and ¡Dos! for now. That's it for today's review, tune in next time when I review ¡Tré!... well, most likely, but before you go, it's time for another edition of "Did The Director Of Eraserhead Direct The New Green Day Video?"
Track one is called See You Tonight, and not only is it pretty damn short, it's slow and pretty weird, not like anything on Uno. There really isn't enough to talk about for me to say anything interesting about it.
Track two is called Fuck Time, and this is a pretty badass song overall, but I don't think the fuck in the name was necessary at all. I like it musically, and besides the name, it's pretty good lyrically, but the song seems to be centered around that one word. It almost seems like bad songwriting, but then again, the rest of the lyrics are great.
Track three is called Stop When The Red Lights Flash, and this song is fast and energetic, not to mention it was one of a few featured on my favorite TV show, CSI: NY. I'd feel weird if I didn't mention "Don't stop when the red lights flash" was a line in "Oh Love", the first single from Uno. This is a good song musically, pretty good lyrically, and all very energetic, which is what Green Day is known for.
Track four is called Lazy Bones, and this is one of my favorites because the whole "I'm too tired to be bored" theme describes how I feel so much. It rocks musically, and as I said, I love the lyrics. The whole thing hits pretty close to home, and in this case, that's a good thing. Green Day never fail to entertain me.
Track five is called Wild One and it almost sounds like a continuation of Lazy Bones with no lyrical relation. The lyrics are good, the music is great, and if it seems like I'm sucking up to Green Day here, it's because I normally don't buy and review albums I don't think I'll like. Overall, pretty good song.
Track six is called Makeout Party, and it rocks. The lyrics are kind of weird, but the music is great, and more than makes up for the facts that the lyrics hardly make sense to me. This is the kind of punk rock Green Day is known for, and I love it.
Track seven, and the first single off the album, is called Stray Heart, and it starts off with a great bass line by Mike Dirnt, and then you hear Billie Joe. The lyrics are great, the music is good, although the chorus is a bit too simple. The weirdest thing though was the music video, which looks like it belongs at an indie film festival. I'd like to meet the director of that video.
Track eight is called Ashley, which is the first line of the song and the murder weapon of headphone users. This song is very energetic, and while I believe songs named after a girl is way too cliched, it doesn't mean they're all bad, and this one is very good.
Track nine is called Baby Eyes, and it's another loud, energetic song. Great musically, good lyrically, and one I'd love to see live. I don't have that much to say about it besides that.
Track ten is called Lady Cobra, which I think is the name of the rapper on the next track, and this is a very energetic song, with great lyrics, and kick-ass punk sound. The one thing is, like many of the other songs, it's too short. This could've been a lot longer than the final product.
Track eleven is called Nightlife, and this song was criticized because it was very experimental, and included a female rapper. The rapping was okay, but was a bit excessive, Billie Joe was great, the lyrics he sang rocked, and the whole song was great musically. Personally, I think these critics are complaining about nothing, but that's just me.
Track twelve is called Wow! That's Loud, and while the name is appropriate, it could've been louder. Despite this, the song is good lyrically, great musically, and it's energetic, and will make headphone users say Wow! That's Loud!
Track thirteen (yes, this is the only one in the trilogy that had thirteen tracks and not twelve), is called Amy, and was a tribute to Amy Winehouse, who passed away recently. The song was great lyrically, musically, and is catchy as hell. And it's a much slower song, which we didn't see much of on Uno, and is appropriate, considering the subject matter. A great way to end the thing.
Overall I give ¡Dos! a 9/10. It still has a lot of the in your face punk from Uno, but was more musically diverse. You have the loud, energetic punk, like Stop When The Red Lights Flash, but you also get a break from that, like on Amy. That's two of three in the Green Day trilogy, considering how diverse this was, and how awesome The Forgotten is, I can't wait for ¡Tré!. However, seeing as that won't be out until December, and I probably won't be able to get it until Christmas, I'll have to enjoy ¡Uno! and ¡Dos! for now. That's it for today's review, tune in next time when I review ¡Tré!... well, most likely, but before you go, it's time for another edition of "Did The Director Of Eraserhead Direct The New Green Day Video?"
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Flyleaf - New Horizons Review: End of an Era
Okay, so Flyleaf will always hold a special place in my heart. My first concert, ever, was Flyleaf, and They only improved from there (well, Memento Mori had it's low points, but so does just about every album ever made). Now, they release a new album about every 3 years, so I was excited when I heard 2012 was the year of a new Flyleaf album. It was given the name "New Horizons", which is a great summary of many of Flyleaf's songs. Originally, I just viewed this as I would any other new album. However the importance of this album amplified greatly with the announcement that this would be the last Flyleaf album featuring lead vocalist Lacey Sturm (Lacey Mosley when I started listening). As with Nightwish, another female-fronted band who replaced their lead singer, this is the end of an era. So here is my review of New Horizons by Flyleaf.
Track one is called Fire Fire, and it is a great way to start the album. The lyrics are great, the music starts slow, but rocks, it's an all around great song. It really makes you wish Lacey had stayed. Already better than much of Memento Mori.
Track two is the title track, and sadly, it isn't that great. I almost thought it wasn't Flyleaf when I first heard it, because there's barely any example of Lacey's powerful loud voice, and no examples of her gritty rocker voice. The lyrics are good, but the music just isn't, so they cancel out. It sadly doesn't live up to the rest of the album, and it seems like while the good songs make you wish she had stayed, the bad ones make you wish she could have a chance at title track redemption.
Track three is called Call You Out, and it is a perfect example of a gritty rock song by Flyeaf. It's loud, it's fast, it's in your face, reminiscent of I'm So Sick, or more so Chasm, almost to a point of eerie similarity. This song more than makes up for the last track, and for those of you hoping for a kick-ass rock song from Flyleaf for the last Lacy album, this is perfect.
Track four is called Cage On The Ground, and it's a very emotional song, that displays Lacey's powerful voice perfectly (though, perhaps not as perfectly as Arise). There are more songs like this featuring Lacey's powerful voice, but this is one of those that you can feel the emotion, from Lacey's voice alone. I can't imagine how awesome it would've been to see her sing this live (for those of you wondering, Flyleaf's live show kicks ass).
Track five is called Great Love, and it starts out emotional with rocking music, but immediately slows down, to a verse that in my opinion, doesn't fit with the chorus. There's almost no transition between a boring verse and a kick-ass chorus. I like it, but it's nothing compared to the next track.
Track six is called Bury Your Heart, and it is possibly my favorite song on the album. It starts off slow, and then rocks. The lyrics are great, and this is one of the great emotional songs Lacey does, despite not using her voice to it's full power. It is a fantastic song, and I personally wish this were the first single.
Track seven is called Freedom, and it starts off rocking and only gets better. This is an example of emotion and gritty rock, in perfect harmony. The lyrics are great, but I'd expect nothing less from Flyleaf. The entire song is very well done, and this is another song I'd love to have seen done live. Also this is the first time in a long time Lacey has screamed on a song (as she did in I'm So Sick and Cassie).
Track eight is called Saving Grace, and it is another perfect example of emotion in Lacey's vocals. Now Flyleaf's lyrics are almost always great, but these ones in particular, were fantastic. The music fits perfectly throughout the entire song. At one point though, Lacey's voice gets a lot lower for the bridge, and it was weird.
Track nine is called Stand, and while this was a softer song, this was done right, the music actually fit the vocals. I'm not gonna keep saying how great the lyric were, because Flyleaf's lyrics are almost always great. If New Horizons were done more like this, I'd probably like it more (the song New Horizons is kinda growing on me though). I think it ends to soon though.
Track ten is called Green Heart and while I like the loud rocking song among the emotional songs, this song does not fit on an album called New Horizons. This fits more on Memento Mori than on this. I'm just glad it was a short as it was, so I didn't have to sit through more than almost 3 minutes of it. It's not that I didn't like it, it's that it didn't fit on this album, at all.
Track eleven, and the final track, is called Broken Wings, and this ending may not be what the fans wanted, but it fits perfectly with the tone of this album, and on an album called New Horizons. The song starts out slow, but I almost didn't expect it to build up and rock the way it did. It rocked without making itself too out of place on this album. It fits the tone, Lacey's voice emotional throughout, instrumentals rock, lyrics, you know. A great end for the album that this is.
Overall New Horizons was great. Better than Memento Mori. Not better than the first album though. I noticed a lot of short songs, and at first I almost wished they had given Lacey more of a finale, considering this is her final Flyleaf album, but when they were making the album, they couldn't have known she was gonna leave. She couldn't have known she was gonna leave. It just happened, and New Horizons was what we got (There is the iTunes bonus track, but I don't have that version). The new singer is Kristen May, and no, he name is not a sentence fragment. She is the former singer of Vedera, and is now singing for Flyleaf. I'm gonna put it this way. When Tarja left Nightwish, I bought Dark Passion Play, and it was just okay. So I gave the new singer a second chance, and the most recent Nightwish album, Imaginaerum, kicked ass. So I am giving Kristen May two chanced not to screw up Flyleaf forever. Although what I really wish they would do is release a new single so the fans can get a taste of Kristen May Flyeaf (no that is not a sentence).
Well, that's a wrap, tune in next time when I review Green Day's album Dos, will it be as awesome as Uno, we'll see. That's it, but first, it's time for another edition of, "That's the replacement?!?"
Track one is called Fire Fire, and it is a great way to start the album. The lyrics are great, the music starts slow, but rocks, it's an all around great song. It really makes you wish Lacey had stayed. Already better than much of Memento Mori.
Track two is the title track, and sadly, it isn't that great. I almost thought it wasn't Flyleaf when I first heard it, because there's barely any example of Lacey's powerful loud voice, and no examples of her gritty rocker voice. The lyrics are good, but the music just isn't, so they cancel out. It sadly doesn't live up to the rest of the album, and it seems like while the good songs make you wish she had stayed, the bad ones make you wish she could have a chance at title track redemption.
Track three is called Call You Out, and it is a perfect example of a gritty rock song by Flyeaf. It's loud, it's fast, it's in your face, reminiscent of I'm So Sick, or more so Chasm, almost to a point of eerie similarity. This song more than makes up for the last track, and for those of you hoping for a kick-ass rock song from Flyleaf for the last Lacy album, this is perfect.
Track four is called Cage On The Ground, and it's a very emotional song, that displays Lacey's powerful voice perfectly (though, perhaps not as perfectly as Arise). There are more songs like this featuring Lacey's powerful voice, but this is one of those that you can feel the emotion, from Lacey's voice alone. I can't imagine how awesome it would've been to see her sing this live (for those of you wondering, Flyleaf's live show kicks ass).
Track five is called Great Love, and it starts out emotional with rocking music, but immediately slows down, to a verse that in my opinion, doesn't fit with the chorus. There's almost no transition between a boring verse and a kick-ass chorus. I like it, but it's nothing compared to the next track.
Track six is called Bury Your Heart, and it is possibly my favorite song on the album. It starts off slow, and then rocks. The lyrics are great, and this is one of the great emotional songs Lacey does, despite not using her voice to it's full power. It is a fantastic song, and I personally wish this were the first single.
Track seven is called Freedom, and it starts off rocking and only gets better. This is an example of emotion and gritty rock, in perfect harmony. The lyrics are great, but I'd expect nothing less from Flyleaf. The entire song is very well done, and this is another song I'd love to have seen done live. Also this is the first time in a long time Lacey has screamed on a song (as she did in I'm So Sick and Cassie).
Track eight is called Saving Grace, and it is another perfect example of emotion in Lacey's vocals. Now Flyleaf's lyrics are almost always great, but these ones in particular, were fantastic. The music fits perfectly throughout the entire song. At one point though, Lacey's voice gets a lot lower for the bridge, and it was weird.
Track nine is called Stand, and while this was a softer song, this was done right, the music actually fit the vocals. I'm not gonna keep saying how great the lyric were, because Flyleaf's lyrics are almost always great. If New Horizons were done more like this, I'd probably like it more (the song New Horizons is kinda growing on me though). I think it ends to soon though.
Track ten is called Green Heart and while I like the loud rocking song among the emotional songs, this song does not fit on an album called New Horizons. This fits more on Memento Mori than on this. I'm just glad it was a short as it was, so I didn't have to sit through more than almost 3 minutes of it. It's not that I didn't like it, it's that it didn't fit on this album, at all.
Track eleven, and the final track, is called Broken Wings, and this ending may not be what the fans wanted, but it fits perfectly with the tone of this album, and on an album called New Horizons. The song starts out slow, but I almost didn't expect it to build up and rock the way it did. It rocked without making itself too out of place on this album. It fits the tone, Lacey's voice emotional throughout, instrumentals rock, lyrics, you know. A great end for the album that this is.
Overall New Horizons was great. Better than Memento Mori. Not better than the first album though. I noticed a lot of short songs, and at first I almost wished they had given Lacey more of a finale, considering this is her final Flyleaf album, but when they were making the album, they couldn't have known she was gonna leave. She couldn't have known she was gonna leave. It just happened, and New Horizons was what we got (There is the iTunes bonus track, but I don't have that version). The new singer is Kristen May, and no, he name is not a sentence fragment. She is the former singer of Vedera, and is now singing for Flyleaf. I'm gonna put it this way. When Tarja left Nightwish, I bought Dark Passion Play, and it was just okay. So I gave the new singer a second chance, and the most recent Nightwish album, Imaginaerum, kicked ass. So I am giving Kristen May two chanced not to screw up Flyleaf forever. Although what I really wish they would do is release a new single so the fans can get a taste of Kristen May Flyeaf (no that is not a sentence).
Well, that's a wrap, tune in next time when I review Green Day's album Dos, will it be as awesome as Uno, we'll see. That's it, but first, it's time for another edition of, "That's the replacement?!?"
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