Megalina's Mixtapes

Mixtape #22

2012-07-09T15:54:00.001-04:00

"Harvard on the Hudson" came out from With The Punches in January and left fans dying for more. Last Tuesday, the band from Newburgh NY dropped their first LP, Seams and Stitches with much success. "I Told You Already" is this week's number 1 for the mixtape because it is one of the stand out singles off the album. The song shows that With The Punches has learned the formula on how to make music well. A little more poppy than punk, "I Told You Already" falls right in the middle of the record and helps pick the pace back up.

Rest of this week's Mixtape:

Gallows: " Last June"
Handguns: "Song About You"
Close To Home: "Family Ties"
Runner Runner: " Who I Am"
Minus the Bear: "Lonely Gun"
The American Scene: "Just Say It"
As I Lay Dying: "Cauterize"
Forever Came Calling: "If Bukowski Could See Me Now"
What's Eating Gilbert: "Complaining"
A Great Big Pile of Leaves: "Pet Mouse"
A Rocket to the Moon: "Going Out"
Anchor & Braille: "Goes without Saying"
Deap Valley: "Gonna Make My Own Money"
Good Luck Varsity: "Lakes"

Waves of News from Circa Survive...

2012-06-26T15:14:00.003-04:00

There has been a lot of exciting information the last couple of days for Circa Survive fans. The boys from Philly announced yesterday that their latest album, Violent Waves, is slated for release on August 28th. This will be the band's fourth studio effort, but the first to be self produced and released. Circa paid for the whole process on their own. Pre-orders are on sale now, and Waves will be on sale digitally for $5. Check out Circa's for Official Website a statement from the band, as well as a chance to download a new single, "Suitcase".

Also announced yesterday, Circa Survive will be going on a full U.S. tour in the fall to promote the album. Touche Amore, Balance and Composure, and O'Brother will support. To celebrate the release of Violent Waves, the band will be having 2 release shows in Philedelphia on August 24th and 25th. Opening acts will be revealed soon. Tickets for all shows will go on sale this Friday.

Listen to a new track from Circa Survive, "Sharp Practice", below!

The Bear is Back...

2012-06-26T14:00:00.003-04:00

Last week, Minus the Bear announced that their fifth full length, Infinity Overhead, will be released on August 28th. The indie rockers from Seattle started working on the album in January with former keyboardist and producer Matt Bayles. Their last record, Omni, was released in 2010. Below is the track listing and a teaser video, which includes a clip from "Diamond Lightning", a song off the album. Minus the Bear will be making a tour and pre-order announcement on July 9th, so stay tuned for details!

Track List:
1. Steel and Blood
2. Lies and Eyes
3. Diamond Lightning
4. Toska
5. Listing
6. Heaven Is A Ghost Town
7. Empty Party Rooms
8. Zeros
9. Lonely Gun
10. Cold Company

Mixtape #21

2012-06-25T17:18:00.000-04:00

Let me just say, the summer of 2012 is definitely the summer of music for me. Between all the album releases, festivals, and reunions, I do not think it could get any better! Get What You Give is the newest record from The Ghost Inside. The album is quite good, and shows the progression and growth the hardcore band has made since their last album in 2010. "Engine 45" is just one of many great examples on the album.

Rest of this week's Mix Tape:

Dave Hause: "Pray for Tucson"
Passion Pit: "I'll Be Alright"
Fiona Apple: "Anything We Want"
Like Moths to Flames: "The Worst in Me"
Teenage Bottle Rocket: "Maverick"
Mixtapes: "I'll Give You a Hint, Yes"
Certain People I Know: "King of Shots"
Matt and Kim: "Let's Go"
I Call Fives: "The Fall Guy"
Deserters: "Optimism's Victim"
Owl City Feat. Carly Rae Jepsen: "Good Time"
The Early November: "In Currents"
States: "Brighter Lights"
Cady Groves: "Revenge"

MCA of Beastie Boys Passes Away...

2012-05-04T15:10:00.001-04:00

"If you can feel what I'm feeling then it's a musical masterpiece"

Sad news in the music industry today, Rapper Adam "MCA" Yauch is dead at 47. Yauch was a founding member of the Beastie Boys. The trio is a pioneer group in the rap industry.

Yauch was diagnosed with cancer of the salivary gland, or parotid, in 2009. The Beastie Boys released Hot Sauce Committee Part Two in 2011. The boys from Brooklyn were also inducted into the Rock And Roll Music Hall of Fame this year. Yauch did not attend the event, but wrote a letter to fans that the Beastie Boys read.

About a half hour ago, The Beastie Boys publicity firm sent out an official press release. Read the entire release below:

"It is with great sadness that we confirm that musician, rapper, activist and director Adam "MCA" Yauch, founding member of Beastie Boys and also of the Milarepa Foundation that produced the Tibetan Freedom Concert benefits, and film production and distribution company Oscilloscope Laboratories, passed away in his native New York City this morning after a near-three-year battle with cancer. He was 47 years old.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Yauch taught himself to play bass in high school, forming a band for his 17th birthday party that would later become known the world over as Beastie Boys.

With fellow members Michael "Mike D" Diamond and Adam "Adrock" Horovitz, Beastie Boys would go on to sell over 40 million records, release four #1 albums--including the first hip hop album ever to top the Billboard 200, the band's 1986 debut full length, Licensed To Ill--win three Grammys, and the MTV Video Vanguard Lifetime Achievement award. Last month Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Diamond and Horovitz reading an acceptance speech on behalf of Yauch, who was unable to attend.

In addition to his hand in creating such historic Beastie Boys albums as Paul's Boutique, Check Your Head, Ill Communication, Hello Nasty and more, Yauch was a founder of the Milarepa Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and activism regarding the injustices perpetrated on native Tibetans by Chinese occupational government and military forces. In 1996, Milarepa produced the first Tibetan Freedom Concert in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, which was attended by 100,000 people, making it the biggest benefit concert on U.S. soil since 1985's Live Aid. The Tibetan Freedom Concert series would continue to stage some of the most significant benefit shows in the world for nearly a decade following in New York City, Washington DC, Tokyo, Sydney, Amsterdam, Taipei and other cities.

In the wake of September 11, 2001, Milarepa organized New Yorkers Against Violence, a benefit headlined by Beastie Boys at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom, with net proceeds disbursed to the New York Women's Foundation Disaster Relief Fund and the New York Association for New Americans (NYANA) September 11th Fund for New Americans--each chosen for their efforts on behalf of 9/11 victims least likely to receive help from other sources.

Under the alias of Nathanial Hörnblowér, Yauch directed iconic Beastie Boys videos including "So Whatcha Want," "Intergalactic," "Body Movin" and "Ch-Check It Out." Under his own name, Yauch directed last year's Fight For Your Right Revisited, an extended video for "Make Some Noise" from Beastie Boys' Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, starring Elijah Wood, Danny McBride and Seth Rogen as the 1986 Beastie Boys, making their way through a half hour of cameo-studded misadventures before squaring off against Jack Black, Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as Beastie Boys of the future.

Yauch's passion and talent for filmmaking led to his founding of Oscilloscope Laboratories, which in 2008 released his directorial film debut, the basketball documentary Gunnin' For That #1 Spot and has since become a major force in independent video distribution, amassing a catalogue of such acclaimed titles as Kelly Reichardt's Wendy and Lucy, Oren Moverman's The Messenger, Banksy's Exit Through The Gift Shop, Lance Bangs and Spike Jonze's Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait Of Maurice Sendak, and many more.

Yauch is survived by his wife Dechen and his daughter Tenzin Losel, as well as his parents Frances and Noel Yauch."

The Menzingers,ADTR, and Rise Against Live...

2012-05-02T21:10:00.002-04:00

At the end of January, I had the pleasure of taking my three cousins to a concert at the Mid Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie NY. They were going for A Day to Remember, I was going for Rise Against. The concert was split between fans just like us for the two major acts. The opening act, The Menzingers, were a pleasant surprise for me. I know listen to them quite often because of that show. A Day To Remember have die hard fans. These kids went nuts from the minute the lights went down till the last balloon hit the floor. A guilty pleasure of mine, they are a band you should check out live at least once-the boys from Florida can put on a show. Rise Against has always been one of my favorite bands. They have a style that has grown with their fan base. Their show that night is one that made me remember why I started going to concerts and listening to music like this in the first place. Its hard to make me stop being in "work" mode and be a fan, and Rise Against did that night.

Jeremy McKinnon, lead singer of A Day To Remember

Foster the People Live in Vegas...

2012-05-02T20:39:00.000-04:00

In February, I had the lucky pleasure of seeing Foster the People live in Las Vegas. Thanks to a very gracious friend, I was her guest to the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino for literally 24 hours. We also got to see the band live from the Marquee Night Club inside the hotel. Foster the People were just coming off of a career high, the night before they performed with the legendary Beach Boys at the Grammy Awards. This was one hell of a show and I am very lucky for being able to see it!

Four Year Strong Concert Video...

2012-05-02T20:20:00.001-04:00

I've had the pleasure of attending at least one great show every month since November. Due to my hectic life as of late, I never had the chance to write up reviews for them. Instead of going back all the way to December and writing them up, I'm just going to post the videos.

This is Four Year Strong performing "One Step at a Time". The show was the Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie NY in December. Other bands on the bill were Set Your Goals, Transit, and Balance and Composure.

Sound City Newest Grohl Project...

2012-05-02T17:37:00.000-04:00

Dave Grohl can do it all-singing, acting, drumming. Now Grohl can add directing and producing to the list. The Foo Fighters front man announced today he will be directing and producing the documentary Sound City, a film about the legendary recording studio in Van Nuys, California. Grohl came up with the idea for the documentary after he purchased the Neve 2028 recording console from the studio. The console is considered the apex of analog recording equipment, and was built in 1972. The machine has been used to record some of the biggest artists of the last 20 years: Fleetwood Mac, Guns and Roses, Metallica, Tom Petty, Nirvana, and Rage against the Machine to name a few. A statement from Grohl can be read below:

Grohl has many ideas for the film. The documentary will showcase the history behind the infamous studio. Performances from artists who used the recording studio will also be in the film. It will also focus on albums that were recorded there and went on to change not only music, but that made an impact on history. Grohl's personal history with the studio knows that impact very well. His first time in Sound City was in 1991 to record the album Nevermind with nirvana.

Head over to Sound City's Official Website to check out a trailer for the film!

The Tangled Web of Craig Owens and Chiodos...

2012-05-02T15:36:00.000-04:00

*I just want to say that I know this is "old" news by now. However, I waited to report on this because I knew that when the story broke, there would be updates for several days. I wanted to wait to express my opinion and views after the major announcements had been made.*

Late last week, the teenage scene girl in me jumped for joy for hours after watching this:

Craig Owens has reunited with Chiodos!

So after the fan girl in me calmed down, the reporter side kicked in. I, along with millions of others, have a ton of questions. Some initially have been answered, but now have left new ones in their place. So I'm going to do this in three parts: the summary, the questions, the opinion. so let us begin!

Chiodos "let go" of Owens back in September of 2009. The split was not an amicable one. Fans were heartbroken and upset even though the band said the split was "necessary". Brandon Bolmer joined Chiodos and they put out one album together(Illuminaudio) in 2010. After a few tours and the album release, Chiodos became almost non-existent. In March of this year, Bolmer and drummer Tanner Wayne officially announced their departure. This is where the rumors of an Owens/Chiodos reunion began.
Craig was definitely not off the radar after being fired. After spending some time to find himself, Owens came back to form the band Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows. The band was a super band of sorts, all members were from other bands in the scene. A full length, D.R.U.G.S, was put out in 2011 with much success. Craig also has been very successful with a solo career, his mini tours sell out at almost every venue. He also has started an acting career. When the reunion rumors were brought to the attention of the other members of D.R.U.G.S, the fellas laughed them off
.Craig Owens and Chiodos officially reunited on April 26th. The story spread like wild fire, and was easily one of the biggest pieces of news in the genre for a week. Many musicians took to social networking to give their opinion, including Bolmer. The former lead singer was kind, wishing both parties the best of luck and gave them his support. The opinions of the members of D.R.U.G.S. however, is not so cut and dry. A day after the official announcement, Matt Good, Aaron Stern, and Nick Martin put out a statement of their own. The trio told fans that they would be leaving Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows. The three did say they have "no regrets" about their music or who it was made with. Several days later, Owens finally made a statement. Due to the "unexpected events" that have occurred, he told fans he is uncertain about the future of D.R.U.G.S. The last piece of major news to come out of this story seems to be that the former members of D.R.U.G.S. are not allowed to start a band together, due to a clause in a contract that was signed.

Did ya get all that? I know it's a lot. So after hearing all of the initial reports and follow up stories, there are still some questions that are left to be answered:

What exactly are the two reuniting for? A reunion tour? New music?
What will Craig do with D.R.U.G.S?
How will this effect Owens' solo career?
Who is drumming in Chiodos?
What is the status of Nick Martin and Craig's relationship?
What does this mean for possible new material from Isles and Glaciers or Cinematic Sunrise?

Chiodos was a band that I listened to every day of my earlier years. In taking every opportunity to see them live, I have met Craig several times over the past few years. Besides being quite the little fan girl for him, I find him to be an amazingly humble, gracious, and genuinely good-hearted person. I was upset when the two parted in 2009. Not because I was a close minded fan and thought the band would go nowhere, I actually enjoy Bolmer's work. I was upset to hear the way the split went down. It was disheartening to hear about friendships going horribly wrong. That is why I hope Owens didn't leave his band mates in Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows out of the loop when making all of these decisions. If Chiodos reuniting to this line up makes great music that touches someone like their older albums did me, then this was all for the best. Time will only tell though, if this was about rekindling and making great music, or something else.

New Songs from Set Your Goals...

2012-04-30T17:49:00.000-04:00

Absolute Punk had an exclusive release last week to two new songs by Set Your Goals. The songs, "Only Right Now" and "I'll Walk It Off" will be featured on the pop punk band's follow up album to Burning at Both Ends. New Found Glory's Chad Gilbert produced both songs. Fans ate the songs up and took to social networking to proclaim their praise. After the success of the new material, fans also learned that Set Your Goals will be recording with Gilbert again soon.

This Girls thoughts? I have been playing the songs non stop! The "stuck in your head" factor of the lyrics are back and any fan of pop punk will appreciate Gilbert's production style. The songs make me optimistic that the new LP will be reminiscent of Mutiny! and that Set Your Goals have fixed some mistakes they made on Burning at Both Ends. I am totally looking forward to hearing more from the band and the partnership between SYG and Chad!

The Ghost Inisde Outlive...

2012-04-30T13:40:00.000-04:00

The Ghost Inside were busy boys last week. The California metalcore band announced the release for their upcoming full length, Get What You Give. The album will hit US stores on June 19th via Epitaph records. Here is a trailer for the album:

Get What You Give will be the follow up to 2010's Returners. A Day to Remember's Vocalist Jeremy McKinnon produced the album.

To spark fan's interests even more, The Ghost Inside released the first single off the album. Check out "Outlive" below and let me know what you think!

MOD SUN n Jonny Craig Collabo...

2012-04-30T11:57:00.000-04:00

Hippie rapper MOD SUN had the fans in a frenzy last week with an early morning tweet. MOD tweeted to fans that there is a strong possibility that a new collaboration between him and singer Jonny Craig could be out in late May. Collabos between the two are not something new. Craig supplied some vocals on MOD's track "Become My Life" and the two performed together on the "White Boys of Soul" tour.

Like other projects concerning Craig though, the release date is questionable. Jonny's unstable personal life may hold the project back. It was reported in March that Craig was entering rehab, and that his progress was well. Jonny's management also stated that there is nothing set in stone with this collaboration. Hopefully for the fans that received this news with excitement, Jonny will get it together for a release.

Mixtape #20

2012-04-30T10:27:00.000-04:00

Bonaventure: "I Dare You"

Rest of this week's Mixtape:

William Beckett: "Oh, Love!"
Settle: "December Girls"
Second To Last: "Cheap Sleep"
Feeder: "Children of the Sun"
Neon Trees: "Mad Love"
The Menzingers: "Great Apes and Shiny Stones"
Young Statues: "Meet Me at the Hudson"
Aesop Rock: "Zero Dark Thirty"
Frank Ocean: "PDA"
MewithoutYou feat. Hayley Williams: "Fox's Dreams of the Log Flume"
City Lights: "What It Takes"
Kid Liberty: "Chirpin Gears"
Mixtapes: "Even on the Worst Nights"
Portugal. The Man: "All Your Light(Times like These)"

Mixtape #19

2012-04-24T10:11:00.000-04:00

Family Force 5: "Super Hero"

So I know when III came out, I was not too kind to my southern rockers. However, this slowed down, acoustic version of this song is quite wonderful. If Family Force 5 could do more songs like this mixed with their crazy krunk core, I would be a very happy girl.

The rest of this week's Mixtape:

Neon Trees: "Close to You"
Lemuria: "Varoom Allure"
Motion City Soundtrack: "True Romance"
Of Fortune and Fame: "Wembridge Drive"
This Providence: "Trouble"
Daytrader: "If You Need It"
When Tigers Fight: "Kill or Cure"
Toys that Kill: "Stye"
Arkells: "On Paper"
The Scutches: "Don't Go"
Red Collar: "American Me"
Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa: "Pay Phone"
Sweatshirt Weather: "Open Up the Sky"
City of Ghosts: "Livin Pieces"

Get Ready for Summer with some Hot Water...

2012-04-17T14:53:00.000-04:00

Music that comes out in May sets the tone of summer for most. Those albums and songs will play on your iPod, through your car and head phone speakers for the next three months. One album that will be playing through mine is Exister, by Hot Water Music. Due out on May 15th, the Gainsville Florida band drops their highly anticipated follow up to 2004's The New What Next. Earlier this month, Hot Water Music dropped the single, "Drag My Body". If this is a preview to the 11 other tracks on Exister, I am truly excited. Here is a lyric video for the song, as well as the rest of the track listing.

Track Listing:

1. Mainline
2. Boy, You're Gonna Hurt Someone
3. State of Grace
4. Drown In It
5. Drag My Body
6. Safety
7. Exister
8. Wrong Way
9. Take No Prisoners
10. Pledge Wore Thin
11. No End Left In Sight
12. The Traps
13. Paid In Full

Depp/Manson Friendship Continues to Grow...

2012-04-17T14:32:00.000-04:00

Last week I reported about Johnny Depp collaborating with rocker Marilyn Manson. This week, I can again. Depp Joined Manson on stage at Revolver's Golden God Awards in Los Angeles. The actor played guitar on stage for Manson's remake of "Sweet Dreams" and his own "The Beautiful People". Depp seemed to just appear on stage, but Marilyn let the crowd know that his red carpet friend was helping him out. Depp seems cool and confident playing with the band, however Manson's vocals have not aged well in my opinion. Let me know what you all think!

"The Beautiful People"

"Sweet Dreams"

Revelation Reunites...

2012-04-17T13:42:00.001-04:00

Revelation Records will be celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. To celebrate properly, the company will be hosting two anniversary shows on June 8th-10th at the Glasshouse in Pomona, CA. Bands participating in the shows are the Gorilla Biscuits, Sick of it All, Underdog, and Bold to name a few. On the June 8th and 10th shows, starters of "metalcore" Shai Hulud will be performing. What will make these appearances even more special is that Chad Gilbert will be reuniting with the band.

When the band signed with Revelation Records, lead singer Damien Moyal quit. Shai Hulud then found 14 year old Chad Gilbert to take Moyal's place. Together they went on to put out a 3 track EP entitled A Profound Hatred of Man. Gilbert left in 97 to start New Found Glory, but that EP started the legend that would become Shai Hulud.

It was also announced this week that Gilbert will be producing the next Shai Hulud record. The guys will be heading into the studio this month, and the record should be out later in the year.

Shai Hulud is a band that deserves much respect in this industry. Originally from Florida, the band moved to New York. Despite industry issues and departing members, Shai Hulud has stood the test of time. Without their influences, fans may never have gotten to hear such bands as As I Lay Dying, Poison the Well, Silverstein, and See You Next Tuesday. Many fans cite Shai Hulud as the only "true" metalcore band out there.

I had the pleasure of seeing Shai Hulud at the Chance, in Poughkeepsie New York recently. The guys are some of the most down to earth people you will ever meet. Their set was energetic, charismatic, and playing seems effortless for them. My favorite part of the set was the fact that many people in the pit were artists of many other participating bands from that day. These shows with Gilbert will just make an amazing performance from Shai Hulud more special.

Mixtape #18

2012-04-17T11:58:00.000-04:00

Regina Spektor is a aquatic dreaming princess in this video. "All the Rowboats" was directed by Adria Petty, who is the daughter of rocker Tom Petty. Spektor's new album, What We Saw from the Cheap Seats, is due out May 29th.

Rest of this week's Mixtape:

Visions feat. Taylor Jardine: "Reality Check"
Moving Mountains: "Alleviate"
Modern Day Escape: "The Syndicate"
MxPx: "Stay on You're Feet"
NGHBRS: "Paper Limbs"
Maps and Atlases: "Fever"
Meshuggah: "Break those Bones whose Sinews Gave it Motion"
Stars in Stereo: "The Broken"
Vanaprasta: "Self Indulgent Feeling"
Childish Gambino: "Eat Your Vegetables"
You Blew It!: "Medal of Honor"
Kanye West feat. DJ Khaled: "Way to Cold"*
Civil Twilight: "Fire Escape"
Rival Summers: "Believe in Me"

*- Kanye West's track, "Way to Cold", was originally titled, "Thera Flu". However, due to some now pending law suits, the title has been changed.

An Interesting Friendship Gets Vain...

2012-04-06T15:47:00.000-04:00

Movie stars and rock stars have been pairing up for years. Some of the creations have been excellent, others, well not so much. Now there is one more to add to the list. Goth rocker Marilyn Manson and kooky actor Johnny Depp are taking their friendship to the studio. The two have paired up on a duet remake of Carly Simon's "You're So Vain". Yes, the song choice makes this duo an even interesting situation.

It turns out that these two have been friends for some time now. In 2001, a remake of Manson's song "The Nobodies" was featured on the soundtrack of "From Hell", which Depp starred in. Johnny also took the rocker as his date to the premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest". The duo has also Cris-crossed career paths. Depp has played guitar since early childhood. He is also in a band, P, with Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers. The band was invited to play with Eddie Vedder. Manson has dabbled in acting with a few movie roles, his most prevalent being in David Lynch's film "The Last Highway" in 1997.

All intrigued ears will have to wait a bit to hear this remake. The single will appear on Manson's upcoming album, Born Villain, as a bonus track. The LP will be out May 1st, on Hell Inc, records. As for a video? In a recent interview with MTV UK, Marilyn said that the video will be simple, with the two looking at each other like a mirror. Interesting...

Mixtape #17

2012-04-06T10:43:00.000-04:00

I the Mighty: "Dancing On a Tightrope"

These California punksters have definitely gotten a tad bit heavier since their last release in 2010. Karma, I the Mighty's latest EP is out now, and I highly suggest you go and pick it up. The band will be heading on tour for the summer and then hopefully will hit the studio to record a full length!

Rest of this week's Mixtape:

The Summer Set: " Last First Kiss"
Sleeping at Last: "Emphasis"
Go Radio: "What if You Don't"
Bears and Bridges: "I Guess I'm Getting Wet"
True Things: "Been Thinking of You"
Wolves and Machines: "All Alarms"
Nas: "The Don"
Eve 6: "Curtain"
Silversun Pickups: "Bloody Mary"
Lostprophets: "Another Shot"
Carly Rae Jepson: "Call Me Maybe"
Swizz Beatz ft. A$AP Rocky: "Street Knock"
Love Drug: "Wild Blood"
Dirty South and Thomas Gold ft. Kate Ellsworth: "Eyes Wide Open"

It's Good to Get Vulnerable...

2012-04-05T10:11:00.000-04:00

So I think it's safe to say most Used fans hated 2009's Artwork. Even vocalist Bert McCracken stated it was his least favorite album. Since then, the quartet from Utah seemed to fizzle off the radar. In the last couple of months though, The Used started hitting the scene to build anticipation back up for themselves. After Artwork, the boys parted ways with their record label, Warner Bros.. The Used have since then put some of the blame on the label for the album's poor response. Teaming up with Indie label Hopeless Records, Vulnerable was released last week on their own label, Anger Music Group. A "make or break" move for both parties, Vulnerable breathes new life into fans' ears. The album is the sludge pop kings' most well rounded work since 2004.

Vulnerable is a mixture of "duds and studs" songs. The twelve tracks do convey one thing though - the Used's classic, demonic sound with some new twists. "I Come Alive" was the first single off the record. Although the guitars seem a bit rushed, the final breakdown is phenomenal and sets the tone. McCracken really lets his anger speak on "Now that You're Dead". The song also takes the band back to its punk origins, with guitarist Quinn Allman playing with urgency. The Used play around with electronic musical elements on Vulnerable. "Shine" is heavily influence by EDM. The single is also the most airtime friendly of the dozen. "Hands and Faces", the second single, opens with a dubstep sample that then flows through out the song. However, the thumping bass does not mask how well bassist Jeph Howard and drummer Dan Whitesides compliment each other. The best song on the album is "Put Me Out". The opening is full of life, and it shows off the band's formula on how they make music beautifully. The bass is again more present, and adds a nice clarity to the song.

Vulnerable shows the work of a band that is re-energized. Despite being a bit short on lyrical content, McCracken's voice is cleaner and back to being full; making you want to listen. Long time fans may be a bit disappointed that the album still isn't as raw as earlier years. However, the dark passion of the Used is evident. Vulnerable is an excellent record to show off that the Used still has "it", and are back to prove it.

New Drummer is the Word...

2012-03-23T13:56:00.000-04:00

Metalcore band The Word Alive have officially found a new drummer. Thanks to the magical powers of YouTube, Luke Holland has been added to the band's line up. Lead singer Telle Smith stumbled upon Holland's profile on the site while recording The Word Alive's upcoming album, Life Cycles. After learning the material and hanging out with the rest of the guys, both parties agree it is a great match. Holland will be going out on tour with The Word Alive with the hopes that all will work out for the best.

Holland is needed after former drummer Justin Salinas' departure in February. Salinas' heart was not in to the rugged tour schedule and did not want to further his career in music. His absence created a hole for the band very close to the start of recording their sophomore album. The drum work on Life Cycles was completed by Matt Horn, a long time friend and musician. Horn did not stay with The Word Alive because he is already a member of the Arizona band, Sleepwalker

Check out Holland's skills in the video below:

Mixtape #16

2012-03-22T17:50:00.000-04:00

Ceremony has seemed to take steps away from their hardcore youth. The track above, "Adult", is more punk then what fans are used to. "Adult" is a cool 1950's suburb parody that finds lead singer Ross Farrar considering the meaning of growing up. Perhaps that is where the distance from their hardcore past came from.

Rest of this week's Mixtape:

The Company We Keep: "The Company She Keeps"
Jack White: "Sixteen Saltines"
Bouncing Souls: "Static"
Vacationer: "Good As New"
Fast Times: "Nervous"
Every Time I Die: "Holy Book of Dilemma"
Your Demise: "The Golden Age"
The Forecast: "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts"
I Hate our Freedom: "Sans Sympathie"
Coheed and Cambria: "Sentry, the Defiant"
I Call Fives: "Back Up Plan"
Magic Wands: "Space"
Glass Cloud: "White Flag"
In Her Own Words: "Departed"

Weekly Warped Wednesday...

2012-03-21T16:13:00.000-04:00

Five more bands were announced for the main stage at this year's Van's Warped Tour. Two of the bands had announced themselves previously, but this made it official. Full line up and schedule can be found on the official Website.

New Found Glory

The Used

All Time Low

Taking Back Sunday

Miss May I