J & S Media Group

CD Review: New Junk Aesthetic by Every Time I Die

2011-01-07T11:07:00.000-08:00

My First impression of this album was simply, WOW. Every Time I Die was already established as one of my top bands, but this album placed them in my top 20. Which believe me, top 20 is huge for me. To this day songs from New Junk Aesthetic are in constant rotation, and it doesn't look to change anytime soon.

Every Time I Die managed to mix so many different sounds together that it makes it a hard album to classify, genre wise. There is the aggressiveness of punk the infectious grooves and a unique vocal delivery. Basically every thing we have come to know and love about Every Time I Die. How a band can encompass angry, feelgood, serious, goofy, witty, and strait forward all at one time is a testament to the people creating the music. It also helps that the lyrics are the type that take more then a couple spins to sink in, love that in a band.

Roman Holiday - Great intro to an album, gets the listener ready to hear an awesome album.

The Marvelous Slut - Great face paced song to get things kicked into gear. "If deaths coming it best come quick" can be surprisingly inspiring lyrics when one is slumped into a depressive mood.

Who Invited The Russian Soldier? - For some reason I think the lyrics to this song are superior to the music. Maybe cause the song musically is my least favorite and I love the meaning of the lyrics.

Wanderlust - One of my favorites on the album. Just love the how the music flows. Keith Buckleys vocal delivery fits this song amazingly well. Just a great rocker or rager, take your pick.

For The Record- "Lord have mercy on my soul I've had a good run but I can't run anymore just put me down." I'm pretty sure I take this line out of context for the song, but I sure as shit want this chiseled on my tombstone. Cause its some brilliant Mark Twain bullshit. (shameless movie quote usage)

White Smoke - Love the guitar work in this song. A handful of pace changes can be found, which is awesome.

Turtles All The Way Down - Possibly my favorite song on here, maybe. Great music flow, great vocal delivery, and great lyrics. Whats not to like???

Organ Grinder - Awesomely chaotic is the best was to describe this song, for me anyway. Once again great lyrics.

Host Disorder - Another one that changes the pace several times during the son. It would sound right at home on Gutter Phenomenon.

After One Quarter Of A Revolution - Song travels about 100 mph, then slows down to about 70. The whole time it sounds like vocal chords are being ripped out = one bad ass song

The Sweet Life - Great rocker. Makes me want to drive something really big really fast, perhaps a turbo charged dump truck....

Buffalo 666 (Bonus Track) - At first I thought this was about the Bills luck with winning the Superbowl. But I was mistaken.

Goddam Kids These Days (Bonus Track) - Great music and great message. One of my favs, mainly for the lyrical content.

I give this album 7 3/4 stars out of a possible 10. This is the kind of album that cements a band as a lifelong favorite and leaves you counting the day till the next album is re-leased.

-Stay strange my friends.
Jesse K.

Jesse K: My Top Ten Albums Between 1980 and 1989

2011-01-05T21:28:00.000-08:00

Well ok, its gonna be top 12 deal with it. These are my Top 10(12) albums released between January 1st 1980 and December 31st 1989. They are, for the most part, in order.

*12) Stray Cats - Built for Speed (1982) Really only for containing "Rock This Town". Does have some really good ones though.

*11) The Cult - Love (1985) Missed the top ten only because I don't own it and it only has a handful of songs I like. However one of those is "She Sells Sanctuary', and that's a really big one. (She Sells... in top 100 songs)

10) George Jones - I Am What I Am (1980) I also don't own this one, yet I have most of the songs from some greatest hits and whatnot. But it contains "He Stopped Loving Her Today", so top ten. (He Stopped Loving Her top 50 songs)

9) Black Flag - Damaged (1981) A classic punk album that inspired millions. (Favorite songs Rise Above, TV Party, Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie)

8) Dwight Yokam - Guitars Cadillacs Etc (1986) The last true honky tonk singer. What can I say I love this album (Favorite songs Honky Tonk Man, Guitars, Cadillacs, It Wont Hurt, Ring of Fire{Johnny Cash cover})

7) The Exploited - Horror Epics (1985) Good old Hardcore Punk before Hardcore was cool. All you modern day Hardcore fans that don't know your history past Hatebreed need to check this shit, cause this shit is the shit. (Favorite songs Don't Forget the Chaos, Down Below, Maggie)

6) The Misfits - Walk Among Us (1982) Classic album from The Misfits. I think sadly too many people say they listen to The Misfits without actually listening to them. (Favorite songs I Turned into a Martian, Skulls, Astro Zombies)

5) Slayer - Reign in Blood (1986) Now we're getting down to business! What can I say about this album that hasn't already been said, classic, masterpiece, intense, angry all you could want in a thrash classic. (Favorite songs Raining Blood, Angel of Death, Alter of Sacrifice, Criminally Insane)

4) Mercyful Fate - Melissa (1983) If you don't know about this band then well you don't know your metal history very well. Not saying you have to like'em just saying you should know who they are since they influenced... well everyone in metal, thrash, black, power, progressive metal. Awesome musicianship, the vocals... either ya love them or hate them. (Favorite songs Curse of the Pharaohs, Satan's Fall, At the Sound of the Demon Bell)

3) Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions (1988) Another one of those groups people say they like/listen to when they really don't. Damn shame too, deep meaningful lyrics, innovative beats for the time. True music to rebel to as opposed to the manufactured rebellion music of today. (Favorite songs Bring the Noise, Rebel Without a Pause, Don't Believe the Hype, Prophets of Rage)

2) The Highwaymen - Highwayman (1985) A country music super group that won't be rivaled anytime soon by current country music. Four musicians that gelled perfectly together and made some of the best music that will ever be heard. They only released two other cds but they could have stopped with this one and their legacy would be just as strong. (Favorite songs Highwayman, The Last Cowboy Song, Committed to Parkview, Jim I Wore a Tie Today, Big River)

1) Megadeth - Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? (1986) When most metal was either sex and drugs or devils and demons this band decided to talk about what is real. So sprang forth thousands of modern day metal bands that owe their existence to this band. (Favorite songs Good Morning/Black Friday, Peace Sells..., Devils Island, My Last Words)

There you have it. My top albums of the 80's. Believe my when I say this was a lot more difficult then I thought it would be. I changed the top three around so many times I about had a three way tie, but that wouldn't have been fair. Doing a list for the 90's is going to be hell, but its coming...

My Top Thirty Played Songs for 2010

2011-01-05T14:22:00.000-08:00

I decided I would list my top thirty songs that I listened to this year. Now many of them may not be new but they are still my favorites. I am pretty sure that a lot of these songs will still be in my top thirty next year. No real surprises to me. I don’t think anybody who knows me will be surprised either.

1.       Embrace the Endless Ocean – Amon Amarth
2.       Watch Over You-Alter Bridge
3.       Nothing Left – As I Lay Dying
4.       I Still Believe – Jeremy Camp
5.       The Art of Balance – Shadows Fall
6.       Phase –Breaking Benjamin
7.       One Man Parade – Becoming the Archetype
8.       How Great Thou Art – Becoming the Archetype
9.       The Darkest Nights – As I Lay Dying
10.   No Games – Breaking Benjamin
11.   Crawl Through Knives – In Flames
12.   Everything – Lifehouse
13.   The Pursuit of Vikings – Amon Armarth
14.   Seize the Day - Avenged Sevenfold
15.   The Last Statement – Insomnium
16.   More Faithful – Skillet
17.   Unknown Soldier – Breaking Benjamin
18.   Five Faces of Madness – Byzantine
19.   The Trooper – Iron Maiden
20.   Fate of Norrns – Amon Amarth
21.   The Elder – Insomnium
22.   Sin Remover – Byzantine
23.   All for Nothing – Enforsaken
24.   Take This Life – In Flames
25.   Tears and Rain - James Blunt
26.   Your Love (Keeps Me Alive) – Skillet
27.   Breath – Breaking Benjamin
28.   Jeremiad – Byzantine
29.   Garden – PFR
30.   The Faded Line – Lamb of God

SW

Hey let me know what your top ten or twenty or whatever was in the comment section. Peace.

Movie Review : The Expendables

2011-01-05T12:38:00.000-08:00

Ok, first I have to say that I have only watched this movie through one time so there might be amendments at a later date. Now that that is out of the way, on with the review.

Right out of the cuff you're hit in the face with over the top action and classic 80's action movie humor, which isn't a bad thing. Unfortunately with the mega star cast and the lack of trailer antagonist protagonist set up, the viewer is left to figure out which star is on which side of the fence. It doesn't help that the movie length is so short you're literally left to figure it out as it goes. I will say this, none of the stars that did sign on must have had egos because even the normal headline stars are filling mere walk on roles. So if you expected a long Schwarzenegger Stallone love fest you will be disappointed, very. In fact the Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Willis scene is just a couple of minutes and the only scene that eludes to past movie/friendships/outside careers. Yes there is no "I must break you" mentioned between Dolph and Stallone, a missed opportunity I assure you.

Now that my only real complaint is out of the way, on with the good. Its a modern day over the top, shit blowing up, cheesy puns, slug-fest and its beautiful. Anybody going into this movie expecting a cinematic masterpiece is both sadly mistaken and a fool. Take this movie for what it is, an action flick meant to entertain you for its hour and thirty minute run time, and it excels ten fold. Eric Roberts, yet again, portrays a heartless baddie that you want to see crushed. Stallone plays, the role he perfected, a lovable loser that just seems to pull it off in the end. Plus they're surrounded by great action stars of yesterday and today that can hold there own in the acting arena.

There is also genuinely touching moment when Mickey Rourke is talking to Stallone about his past sins and failures. Which was unexpected, and sadly a little out of place. Really if this movie had been in the two plus hour time frame it could have been epic, and I'm talking Terminator, Rambo, Die Hard epic. You know the movies that made it possible for this movie to happen.

Its short time frame does tend to make it feel rushed and also doesn't let you get to know any of the characters enough to feel any genuine emotion for them or their cause. While I wont expect it, a sequel could be on the T2 scale of awesome if it ever happens. Meaning it could make its predecessor seem like chump change.

All in all I give this movie five and a half stars out of a possible ten. Not gonna win any awards, but will find its way into cult movie lore.

- Stay strange my friends.
Jesse K.

The Expendables

Ghosts of Days Gone By

2011-01-05T11:09:00.000-08:00

My Favorite Song from Alter Bridge III

Ghost Of Days Gone By

AB III by Alter Bridge

2011-01-05T10:48:00.000-08:00

I could not wait for this album to come out. I thought for sure with Creed reuniting that would be the end of Alter Bridge. On November 9, 2010 the album was released and I bought it off of amazon.com. Sixteen tracks for $8 bucks. I definitely got more than what I paid. The concern I have is that this is a Swan song album by Alter Bridge. I fear that the group has now been relegated to side project status. The reuniting of Creed, Myles doing solo stuff and sixteen tracks make me think this.

What can I say about this album in general? It does sound like Creed in some parts but that is to be expected. The songs that sound like Creed sound like very old Creed though. I loved Scott Stapp vocals but Myles Kennedy brings so much more soul, passion, and pain. You feel alive when you listen to this album. The theme through the whole album is great lead vocals, good background harmonies and nice guitar solos in every song.

Slip to the Void-Funky, Blues Detroit Grease Rock Sound, and Nice Hard Rock Feel Good song. This song reminds me of the Blackbird album.

Isolation-This is a feel good hard rock song with nice guitar solos slightly more epic sounding than Slip to the Void.

Ghosts of Days of Gone By-This is my favorite song on this album. Love the lyrics, vocals are amazing, and the music talent fits the lyrical talent. This would be a radio friendly song but it is awesome. Songs like this by Alter Bridge make you forget all about Scott Stapp.

All Hope is Gone-This song starts like it is going nowhere but the chorus makes up for it. Nice epic catchy chorus with good harmonies in the background. The music fits the lyrics depressing.

Still Remains-This song starts off like a Creed song from My Own Prison or Human Clay. The difference is the chorus where Myles makes it an Alter Bridge song with his incredible pipes.

Make it Right-This song is an Alter Bridge song through and through. Starts off mellow then has those searing vocals only Myles can do.

Wonderful Life-This has to be the most depressing song on the album. The music sounds down the lyrics sound down has that whole depressing vibe to it. It still has all of the attributes I stated above though.

I Know it Hurts-Typical hard rock Alter Bridge song. This song rocks out with great lyrics.

Show Me a Sign-Again starts off like an Old Creed song but with typical Alter Bridge chorus.

Fallout-This song is a true AB song. It has all the nice epic guitar work and vocals.

Breath Again-This song is a nice mellow song with the awesome attributes that are Alter Bridge.

Coeur D’Alene-This is probably my least favorite song of the album. That is not necessarily a bad thing though.

Life Goes On-This stars off like Arms Wide Open by Creed but quickly changes into an Alter Bridge song. This song is the best of both worlds. The best mellow Creed with the best Myles vocals. Awesome.

Words Darker Than Their Wings-This song is different in that Mark Tremonti has more vocal parts than usual. I would like to hear Mark sing more in the future. Maybe a solo album or something.

Zero-More bass is featured in this song. This song doesn’t really sound like any other song on the album.

Home-The song represents another good song from Alter Bridge.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE AB III FROM AMAZON.COM