ARTV Reviews

State Champs - Around The World And Back (Album Review)

2015-10-13T14:39:00.002-07:00

So I'm sure there may be a few of you guys that are upset that I'm doing the State Champs review in a text format instead of my "business as usual" video style that I'm known for. Well, here's the thing. I've been feeling a bit burned out as of late, especially whenever I try and film certain reviews. This one was especially tiresome for me just because I didn't have a ton to say. I didn't feel like the reviews I recorded for Around The World And Back added enough to the conversation to merit an upload. From time to time, you may see me link to a blog post, and just know that it's saving me the headache of uploading something that I don't have my heart in. (I've only done that a handful of times, and let me tell you, that sucks to post something you aren't proud of.)

Pushing that aside, State Champs are a pop punk outfit that have been rising in the ranks over the past few years since the release of 2013's The Finer Things. Even though they really haven't reached a huge audience with their music yet, they do have a very devoted fan base, one that has requested this review of me quite often since it was announced back in June.

This band plays pop punk and pop rock music like its the early 2000s, or maybe even the late 90s, all over again. I say that because they bring a certain sense of energy and charisma that lacked for awhile in popular pop punk music, but I'm happy to see the torch being carried by bands like this. You'll notice strong and driving guitars, peppy vocals, and a sense of fun that really helps this album stand out.

Now before I praise some of the tracks I like, I have to note this records major flaw. A lot of these songs are very similar. There's a very clear formula being used, big sing along choruses, bouncing riffs, and lots of build up in the verses, three elements you'll see plenty of in this album. This may sound like the perfect idea on paper, but trust me, it wears thin on some of the cuts that don't have enough variety in their instrumentation.

I loved the energy and attitude that the lead single "Secrets" brought, and in fact, its turned into one of the best pop punk songs of the year! I love the thumping bass work, and the angst that fuels the vocals on this track. The problem is, I heard the same idea and vibe cashed out on several other moments on the LP.

I'm stoked about some of the creativity I'm hearing in songs like "Losing Myself", which has some awesome guitar work going on, as well as "Perfect Score", which puts a nice fresh take on the 'girl I can't have' story. "Shape Up" drives home a solid message about being responsible for your own actions, with the backing vocals feeling particularly strong on this song. Super catchy as well, so this could be one of the tracks that has some staying power long beyond some of its peers.

The token slow song comes in the form of the title track, but I was actually pleasantly surprised at what we got. I'll admit that the chorus is fluff compared to the verses, which are where the real meat of this song lie. The female voice in this track belongs to Ansley Newman of the band Jule Vera, and pairs up really nice, adding a sweet change of pace to this mainly high tempo album.

When the album fell of its game, it seemed like it was mainly because it let certain areas drown in their influences rather than taking and making them something new. "Back and Forth" felt like a copy of a bad New Found Glory song about not being happy with ones own self in the context of a relationship. Shaking off "All or Nothing" isn't hard either, it just exudes standard on all levels. The trickling guitar, the try hard emotionally charged vocals, the basic drum work... you've heard it before, I promise. You've also heard it done a lot better, this is skippable at best.

I was pretty bummed that the album went out on a couple of merely 'in one ear, out the other' jams in the form of "Breaking Ground" and "Tooth & Nail". I don't want you to be confused I genuinely like a good portion of World, but it's a spotty release. It's unfortunate, but the spirit is often brought down with a mediocre song here, or a visibly weak one there. The album goes on its strongest run from the single "Secrets" until "Perfect Score", with things getting a bit inconsistent after that point.

State Champs are oozing with potential, and I can't wait to see what they accomplish in the future as a band, especially once they start to incorporate new influences and ideas into their songs. This just wasn't the album I was hoping for after loving the key track "Secrets". Overall for Around The World And Back, I'm feeling a strong 3/5 with a moderately low replay factor as a whole body of work.

This was just my opinion of course, feel free to let me know yours in the comments section, or on Twitter @ARTVReviews. If you've stumbled onto my blog and aren't familiar with my work, you can find me on YouTube which is where almost all of my reviews are posted. Thanks for reading, I'll see you soon with reviews of Beach House, Coheed, and Demi Lovato.

-Jon

Kelly Clarkson - "Piece By Piece" ALBUM REVIEW

2015-03-02T09:29:00.003-08:00

It's been a few years since we got a proper studio album from the original American Idol, Kelly Clarkson. Sure, the Christmas album was a thing that happened, but I honestly never got around to hearing it. Her last album Stronger was okay, but as per usual, it featured plenty of filler content and a few songs obviously intended as singles.

It happens. The record labels want a few really poppy songs that they can market easily, and they're probably extras cautious with Clarkson after the lukewarm response to 2007's My December, which many praise as her best work but, you guessed it, didn't really have a hit single.

With Piece By Piece, we find the superstar back for another album full of pop rock jams, ballads, and electronic elements, to give her music a modernized feel. Are there some halfway decent songs on the album? Sure. Lead single "Heartbeat Song" is harmless pop fun, with a strong enough hook that succeeds because Clarkson is, of course, a talented vocalist. The only problem? It's not exactly blasting off at the speed of light on the charts, a trend I've noticed among artists who saw tons of success throughout the mid 2000's.

Daughtry, Nickelback, The Fray...I could go on, but you get the point. People have moved on to new things. Clarkson has managed to hold her ground more than most of her pop music peers through the years, even scoring a #1 single on her last record in 2011. The problem with her new record is that I don't hear a smash hit on the album. Not that she has to have one, but most of these songs feel very basic and predictable at their core.

There are a few unexpected moments that I'm enjoying, such as the EDM influenced "Take You High", which actually manages to pull off a bass drop and vocal distortion without sounding super obnoxious and cheesy.

"Dance With Me" is a pleasant piece of pop that sparkles with enough of Clarkson's persona to make it succeed.

The album gets bogged down with a large amount of slower, more atmospheric and moody tracks, including a collaboration with John Legend on "Run Run Run", a cover of a hit song by German group Tokio Hotel. I honestly expected more in terms of the instrumentals on the album, especially with the likes of Greg Kurstin producing and writing on the album.

If I said this album was engaging and entertaining, I'd be lying. It's passable as a pop rock album from a once mega-popstar, but nothing more than that to me. If you'd like to see any more of my reviews, you can always check out my YouTube channel where I post multiple video reviews every week.

"Piece By Piece"
RCA Records
Released Febraury 27th in the US
Album rating: 2.5/5

-Jon from ARTV

Top 15 Albums of 2014! (ARTV)

2014-12-17T12:36:00.001-08:00

It's hard to believe that 2014 is almost a thing of the past. But then again, I say that with every passing year. 2014 was a noticably weaker year for music, but there were definitely still some amazing releases. Keep in mind that this is MY list so I don't want to hear any of the "where the hell are The War on Drugs and Perfume Genius?" comments.

I did a video about not having to love what the critics love, which also applies to me as a critic. I often don't love what the biggest critics out there love, and that's what makes ARTV different. So to anyone upset that The some of the biggest underground artists with tons of acclaim won't necessarily be appearing on my list... sorry for having personal preferences and opinions? (have sarcasm land on screen)

You might also be surprised that some of my highest rated albums didn't land on the list, and some of the ones I might have initially rated lower have worked their way up the ranks over time. It happens. Some albums just don't stick with you like you think they will, and others only tighten their grip with each play. Okay, let's get this thing started!

#15: Gerard Way - "Hesitant Alien"

Gerard Way unleashes his inner distortion all over his debut solo LP, and the results were hard to deny. While Way seems much more enthusiastic and uh, happy, if you will, he doesn't lose the spunk and attitude that made him one of the most charismatic front-men of the alternative movement of the mid 2000's. Cuts like "Action Cat" show off a noisy rock style that succeeds in keeping the vocals and the guitars at similar volume levels, while other key areas like "Drugstore Perfume" pay tribute to the 80's with effects pedals galore and a heartfelt lyrical approach. The album rarely gets off track, which makes for a smooth listen with a lot of cuts you can sink your teeth into.

#14: Interpol - "El Pintor"

I was honestly surprised at how much I ended up loving the newest offering from the New York rockers Interpol. Their last album, a self titled effort, didn't have much of a shelf life to it because there wasn't very much interesting content there in the first place, to be blunt. El Pintor finds the group one member short, but sounding the strongest they have since 2002's Turn on the Bright Lights. Guitarist Daniel Kessler hits us with some slick and pounding guitar riffs that have a very unique vibe about them, slicing their way through highlights such as "Twice As Hard" and "My Desire". It helps that Paul Banks feels much more invested and earnest with his vocal performances throughout the record, compared to some of his lackluster performances over the last pair of records. Congrats Interpol, it's good to have you back on track.

#13: St. Vincent - Self Titled

I checked out this record after hearing a few of my viewers speak highly of it. Sure, I had heard a few cuts from St. Vincent in the past, but I didn't remember any of them striking me as something I absolutely HAD to hear more of. The self titled record begs to differ. It's not the St. Vincent has ditched the whole 'art rock' label, but rather she's incorporated that mood into her most accessible effort to date. There's a light and reflective mood on highlights like "I Prefer Your Love" and the truly spectacular "Prince Johnny", while synthesizers, guitars, and a more upbeat attitude carry the gems like the brooding but venomous "Rattlesnake" and single "Birth In Reverse". You'd be doing yourself a disservice if you miss out on hearing the latest record from Miss Annie Clark.

#12: Bayside - "Cult"

To everyone who thinks the modern pop punk scene is dying, you clearly haven't heard of a band called Bayside. They've been Warped Tour mainstays for roughly a decade, and have time and time again put out GOOD albums that make the most of each band member's specific talents. However, "Cult" rose above even their normal standards of excellence and presents itself as a compelling piece of art, with big drum fills, explosive guitar solos, and a balance of angst-ridden vocals on cuts like "Pigsty", and the more emotionally in check jams like "Transitive Property". Through and through, this album is entertaining music with a good dose of staying power, as its stayed on rotation the majority of 2014 for me.

#11: Nothing More - Self Titled

Originally released in 2013, this album was re-released this year after Nothing More, one of the most under-rated bands out there right now, signed with Eleven Seven Music. Upon hearing the single "This Is the Time", I knew immediately that I wanted to hear more. But what I didn't expect was an hour long rock record full of hard hitting attacks on the over-privileged, ("The Matthew Effect") powerful ballad styled tracks, and a nice incorporation of glitchy electronics on a few reprise styled cuts. This ladies and gentlemen is an ALBUM. There's an undeniable connectivity in these songs, starting with the album's opener "Ocean Floor" which climaxes straight into "This is the Time". Lyrically, this band gets all the awards, simply for not succumbing to the dumb stereotypes that modern rock music tend to stick to. They speak of not falling line on Mr. MTV, questioning the way we conduct ourselves on "Ballast", and tackle anything and everything on the monsters like "God Went North" and "Friendly Fire". If you're looking for a great hard rock album with a lot of depth to it, Nothing More is the way to go.

#10: Coldplay - "Ghost Stories"

You wouldn't exactly expect a break-up record to be something that grips you so tightly, but Ghost Stories proved to have life beyond death. The death of a relationship, that is. Chris Martin explores the depths of depression on somber slices "Oceans" and "Always in my Head", without forgetting to include sparks of life in "Magic" and "A Sky Full of Stars". The latter of those tracks may be my least favorite on the record, but its certainly grown on me. This record is perfect for driving, thinking, and reflecting, three things I've done a lot of this year.

#9: La Roux - "Trouble In Paradise"

Grab yourself a seat by the ocean, because the tropical vibes are flowing big time on the long awaited, and aptly titled, sophomore release from now solo artist La Roux. Five years is a long time for a pop artist to drop off the radar, but there was still a rather large fan base waiting for her when she dropped her excellent track "Let Me Down Gently" last spring. She certainly took a risk by incorporating more live instrumentation this time around, with a totally different goal in mind. It works so so well though, and I've got to give it to her. I doubted that I'd that interested in the comeback record, and I ended up completely loving every single song on the 9 track album, minus the closer. From the upbeat and downright chipper tunes like "Kiss and Not Tell" to the epic 7 minute banger "Silent Partner, I'll say this. Well done, Miss Jackson.

#8: Walk The Moon - "Talking Is Hard"

Walk The Moon BARELY made the cutoff for my year end chart, launching an official stream of their record the last week of November. This record has so much hook and appeal, it's impossible for me to ignore. A year end slot was a given for this album after roughly 5 or 6 listens all the way through. It's fun dance rock with spunk laced lyrics and attitude coming from vocalist Nick Petricca. They splatter their trademark sound all over the opener "Different Colors", and continue to take us through their journey from the highs of endlessly catchy "Shut Up and Dance" to the lows of "Down In the Dumps". It's ego driven at times, sure, but it doesn't appear to take itself seriously, and they've got more than enough charm to make it work in spectacular fashion.

#7: Run the Jewels - "Run the Jewels 2"

Run the Jewels have blown my mind, showing me that I can truly fall in love with a modern hip hop record. Killer Mike and El P are the 2 MC's that make up this duo, merging hard hitting beats and loops with hard verbal attacks and truly impressive wordplay. Killer Mike is my favorite of the duo, but both men are truly talented rappers. The flow from track to track is impeccable, and the run times are perfect in my book. So many hip-hop records seem to feel the need to be 20 tracks long, with tons of features, long and dull instrumental interludes, among other cliches. This record does none of those things. And when the guests do show up, they make 'em count. Point and case, Zack Dela Rocha on my personal favorite "Close Your Eyes". The duo tackles everything from personal issues and relationships to politics, and it all adds up to make the most exciting hip hop release of the year.

#6: Beck - "Morning Phase"

Mellow out, and relax with Beck as he sails through a dream world of love, loss, and inspirations he finds in the things that surround him. It's a simple, but graceful journey, and it demands to be taken by anyone willing to listen. Once you do, it'll be easy to see why I love this album all the way from "Cycle" to "Waking Light", the latter of those being my overall favorite.

#5: Linkin Park - "The Hunting Party"

Linkin Park hit back hard after a few experimental records, that were never by any means bad, but still seemed to be missing a certain spark that their first 2 records contain. I might not hold the same level of hype for The Hunting Party now as when I initially reviewed it, but there's no denying how great this record is. They get into a strong rock groove, led by cuts like "All For Nothing", "Mark the Graves", and the haunting closer "A Line in the Sand". The guitars are alive again, and the electronics finally take a backseat as Linkin Park strive to take hard rock back to the modern world. For the record, I saw them live and met them this past summer, and they are some genuinely nice dudes. Chester Bennington actually recognized me from my review of their record which was astonishing to me, but I guess you do tend to remember those who give your band's album a perfect score ;)

#4: Taylor Swift: "1989"

The crossover from country to all out pop was coming, we could all see that. But Taylor Swift's 80's synthpop is way more fun than expected, and is dare I say her best album to date. I've always been a fan of Swift. She's a talented songwriter who yes, does go through a lot of guys, but does it really matter when we get incredible songs like "Out of the Woods"? Didn't think so. I'm still cold-shouldered towards ill-fitting lead single "Shake It Off", but other than that, there's not a moment on here that I don't cherish. You're into ballads? Try "Clean". More bubblegum pop with a little kick to it? "Bad Blood". I could continue, but for the purpose of not sounding like a monotonous robot, I won't. Hate her still? Well she's got a blank space, and she's not afraid to throw your name in there.

#3: Death From Above 1979 - The Physical World

What's 10 years when you're Death From Above 1979? Clearly nothing as these dudes breeze through these bass led dance-punk jams that sound like they could do it in their sleep. The guys don't miss a single beat, nor do they allow room for any throwaway tracks. The lyrics are laced with fire as they match the intensity of the instrumentals, which are filled with hammering drum rhythms and skillful bass lines.

#2: Royal Blood - Self Titled

Royal Blood are THE most exciting new act out there in the world of rock. I fell in love on my first listen, with "Out of the Black" commanding the listener's attention, and brings out pent up inner angst that somehow feels satisfying to release after each listen. "I've got a gun for a mouth and a bullet with your name on it" singer Mike Kerr cries. Hard rock meets up with some blues influences on cuts like "Loose Change" and "Ten Tonne Skeleton" while the bombastic "Figure It Out" finds a way to become the years most bombastic blast of energy in its final act. I'm getting heated just thinking about it, it's really making me want to go listen! But I've got one more album you might want to hear about before then...

#1: Weezer - "Everything Will Be Alright In The End"

Even Da Vinci couldn't paint my reaction when I realized that THIS was my album of the year. Da Vinci joke didn't land? Oh come on!

Weezer's comeback album has EVERYTHING. Catchy hooks for days, extremely skillful songwriting, and the simplicity that helped launch this band's career in the first place. The more I hear the record, the more I appreciate it and love every single thing about it. Things that initially didn't sit as well with me like the whistling in "Da Vinci" and the lyrical content in "I've Had It Up to Here" are now charming and welcomed to me. The impact this record has had on me is huge, as it opened up my mind to the fact that old bands can still pull off new tricks. Some fans longing for the older styles of Weezer will find true happiness on "Ain't Got Nobody" and "Go Away", while listeners craving something slightly more adventurous will fall for the closing tracks "Foolish Father" and "The Futurescope Trilogy". One of the most versatile and well rounded albums I've spun over the past couple of years, it's got my undying seal of approval and is the ARTV Album of the Year!

TOP 50 SONGS OF 2014! (ARTV)

2014-12-15T15:28:00.000-08:00

50: Waves - Sleeper Agent

- This alternative group caught my eye back in 2011 with their debut effort Celabrasion, but their most focused and cohesive work to date came in the single "Waves". Led by a super melodic guitar and figure-me-out styled lyrics, this track is sure to get in your head for days on end.

49: The Negative One - Slipknot

- Slipknot burst back onto the scene with this aggressive track, filled with hatred, anger, and a ferocious performance by vocalist Corey Taylor. Turntables, big riffs, and emotive screamed vocals. Classic Slipknot material right here.

48: Gooey - Glass Animals

- "How odd" was probably a thought that crossed my mind when heard "Gooey" for the first time. It's weird how certain tracks have a longevity about them. I think "Gooey"'s staying power comes in it's clean and almost mysterious production, along with the intriguing higher pitched vocals. Hear it for yourself, you'll see!

47: I Have A Problem - Beartooth

- Like I was saying, the shelf life of a track, or an album, is an odd thing sometimes. You guys know thoroughly enjoyed Beartooth's album "Disgusting", but this track is one of the only ones that truly stuck with me over the months. Caleb Shomo gives a borderline psychotic vocal performance, crying out in fear and shame about how drinking has affected his life and everything around him.

46: Movie - Hoodie Allen

- Movie plays out like a sweet and somewhat cocky short film, packed full with, you guessed it, references to popular movies, both old and new. The instrumental sounds slightly like a tribute to older material from Maroon 5, and Hoodie totally makes it work.

45: I Wanna Get Better - Bleachers

- Disappointed as I may have been with Strange Desire, lead-off single "I Wanna Get Better" is a total blast of alt-rock joy in my book. Jack Antonoff's storytelling skills hit an all time high on this track, and it's music video suits it almost perfectly.

44: Kathleen - Catfish & the Bottlemen

- Who is this Kathleen, and why is she giving this band so many problems? Catfish & the Bottlemen unleash their angst on this straight forward rock jam that feels like something I might've heard on the radio in the mid-2000's. And anyone who knows me is aware that I am more than okay with that.

43: Best Friend - Foster the People

- Admittedly, this track feels like it might've been more at home on their debut album Torches, but I still can't resist this one's charm. Initially, I interpreted this fun pseudo upbeat jam to be about a friend and drug use, but Mark Foster has clarified and said that "Best Friend" is about his writers block and the struggle to come up with new material. Who would've thought that subject matter would make for such a peppy tune?

42: Like a Stranger - Kitten

- You might recall I discussed this Kitten record with Anthony Fantano of The Needle Drop back in June, which was definitely an honor. "Like a Stranger" has stood the test of time, and does the 80s oh so well. You had a little bit of fun listening to this track, admit it!

41: Sunny Days & Hand Grenades - Chiodos

- Chiodos gained back original singer Craig Mabbit, and returned with an extremely surprising album called Devil last spring. This track in particular has always struck me as unique, meshing together their usual theatrics with a more aggressive guitar tone. You can probably thank new guitarist, Thomas Erak, for that.

40: Sleepwalking - The Chaingang of 1974

- I've always had a not-so-secret crush on the synth line in the famed Killers track "Somebody Told Me", and "Sleepwalking" is the first track I've heard in a long time to bring something similar to the table. No, that's not the only reason I'm enjoying this track, but it's sure as hell a factor! The guitar helps shape up this track, and the seemingly distraught vocals only add to this songs dark appeal for me.

39: Sparklers - Gemini Club

- Huge crunchy synthesizers roll all over this track from up and coming group Gemini Club, churning and burning their way to the finish line. You can't deny that catchy sing-a-long chorus either. If you like this one, be sure to check out more of their stuff!

38: Left Hand Free - Alt J

- Regardless of what this song is actually about, I get a blissful feeling every time I hear it, and it never gets old to me. Guns, girls, and garage rock, geez whiz! Sure, it's the least 'alt-j' sounding track they've ever released, but sometimes it's good to experiment, right?

37: My Desire - Interpol

- Daniel Kessler sure knows how to hook something with his guitar playing. I've always been interested in his often reverb filled performances, that can haunt but also entertain. It helps that Paul Banks gives his best and most emotive vocal performance on El Pintor on this track, but Kessler certainly blazes the trail.

36: Waking Light - Beck

- Beck created something magical on the final track of his fantastic record Morning Phase. The song gives the feeling of stepping outside into the warm sunlight, and continues its embrace with it's airy and approachable appeal. The guitar solo during the outro is pure ecstacy, and it was a no-brainer to include this on my best of list.

35: Ouija Board - Chevelle

- Chevelle took an aggressive approach with the opening track on their latest record, taking their style they're known for and revving it up to full throttle. This is the most involved and passionate I've seen singer-guitarist Pete Loeffler since the Sci-Fi Crimes era.

34: A Perfect World - Broken Bells

- "A Perfect World", a perfect opening. Immerse yourself into the world of Broken Bells. This is one spaced out alternative ride, but it's more than worth its admission ticket.

33: Foolish Father - Weezer

- Rivers Cuomo is finally at peace with not only his father, but really himself as a songwriter. All that had been building up throughout the new record culminated in this powering cut that soars as close to the sun as Weezer did in their glory days. Huge shout-out to the children's choir that came in and added that extra pizazz, it really helped knock things out of the park.

32: Peninsula - Dinosaur Pile-up

- This group might not be on your radar, but listen to "Peninsula" and you'll see why they should be. This power-punk leaning rocker could get any crowd pumped up with its vibrant chant along chorus, which is eventually capped off with a monster of a guitar solo and some really interesting vocal harmonies.

31: Yellow Flicker Beat - Lorde

- Have you guys noticed that I'm a fan of pretty much everything this girl has done? I honestly can't think of one song that she's done that I dislike. "Yellow Flicker Beat" served as the anthem for the new Hunger Games film, and it did its job well. In no way do you need to be a fan of those movies to enjoy this dark yet danceable tune. It's got enough wit and charm to stand on its own, if only it would attract the same kind of attention that her first singles did.

30: Someone New - BANKS

- This song genuinely surprised me. No, I didn't picture it as a year end contender when I reviewed Banks' album, yet here we are. This track sells the emotional post break-up sadness better than any other slow ballad in 2014, and I'll let you know why. Banks doesn't feel the need to be pushy or powerful with her voice, she lets herself comes across vulnerable, and that's why it feels genuine.

29: Action Cat - Gerard Way

- Sure enough, Way's comeback track grew on me more and more over the weeks. I've had other favorites from his debut solo LP, but this one ended up taking the cake. Grimy vocals almost get buried under the noisiness of the guitars and drums, but not in a way that detracts from the musical value of action cat. It's lyrics also ring true, speaking of things we want, but really just don't need, if we're being honest.

28: Midnight - Coldplay

- I could kick myself for dismissing this track as middle of the road nonsense when I first heard and reviewed it. Granted, it wasn't until Ghost Stories was released that this track truly made sense to me, but once it clicked, it got me right in the feels. This track sees a former love, and the hope that came with that relationship, fleeting into the night. It gives me chills with each listen, and the glitchy electronic instrumental that guides this one out is oddly effective.

27: Out of the Woods - Taylor Swift

- We all knew it was coming. The song about Harry Styles, that is. But who knew it would be this great. It's production from Jack Antonoff is a mix of modern meets the 80s, with a synth guiding Swift's carefully delivered vocals. The bridge of this track, which recalls a hospital visit after a car accident, is the most likeable part of the song for me. The intensity picks up in both the vocal and instrumental department, and really just helps solidify this as one of the best pop songs of the year.

26: Too Far Gone - Sir Sly

- And to think I almost skipped out on hearing the new Sir Sly record. If I had, I would've missed this seemingly upbeat, yet very dark lyrical gem that speaks of one crying out to a loved one for help. It's reflective, as he ponders "Can I ever be too far gone for you to save me?". It's message is clear, it's guitar is catchy and smooth, and you will not want to miss this one.

25: Big Cheese - Bayside

- Pounding drums, guitar solos, and an awesome as usual vocal performance from Anthony Raneri. You do the math!

24: Let Go For Tonight - Foxes

-This is my ultimate let loose jam of 2014. It's all about forgetting all of the crap that drags you down, and letting go of your problems, if only for the night. It's a smart and well produced pop song, aka what we've come to expect from the lovely singer Foxes.

23: Chandelier - Sia

- Geez, this one tugs at the emotions. Sia gives one of the most beautiful performances of her career on "Chandelier", speaking of her alcohol abuse, and how's she's wasted so much time just getting by from one blurry night to the next. Add in a nice electronic beat, and a memorable writing style, and you've got yourself an emotive force to be reckoned with.

22: Flicker, Fade - Taking Back Sunday

- Taking Back Sunday have been around the block a few times, and they're still putting out some top notch material. Tell me you didn't love hearing guitarist John Nolan come in on the bridge and crush the vocals on this already high strung live wire of a tune. Every member stepped up big time for this, the lead single from their album Happiness Is.

21: Mother + Father - Broods

- This song struck a particular chord with me, because of how true the lyrics proved to be for me this year. I've temporarily moved away from the city I lived in all my life, and left all my friends and my parents behind. It's very emotive for me, and I love the voice this girl has. Plus they've got Joel Little, Lorde's producer, behind the helm, what could go wrong?

20: Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck) - Run the Jewels ft. Zack Dela Rocha

- Hip hop's most brash and exciting duo continued their winning streak in 2014, as MC's Killer Mike and El P dominate not only this highlight, but all of Run the Jewels 2. Zack Dela Rocha of Rage Against the Machine comes and crushes his verse on this fast paced track that's jam-packed with clever wordplay and fast flows.

19: Three Women - Jack White

- Nashville suited Jack White pretty damn well, if "Three Women" is any indication of his time spent there. He's got an upbeat folk leaning vibe going on here, as he describes the three women in question, where they live, and how he intends to keep them from finding out about each other. Damn it Jack, you might say a lot of stupid things, but sure know how to make good music.

18: Over - Tove Lo

- Tove Lo proved to be one of the most interesting names in the alternative pop world this year, but I still can not believe that her best work to date didn't make the cut for her debut. "Over" features one of the greatest hooks you could ever ask for, and the song as a whole really shows how talented she is as a songwriter.

17: Queen - Perfume Genius

- "No family is safe, when I sashay" Perfume Genius boldly declares on this delicately crafted cut from critically acclaimed album Too Bright. It's got charm, memorable key parts, and a mesmerizing vocal performance. I might not have loved everything about the album, but this song really sold me on the man's music.

16: Figure It Out - Royal Blood

- This brooding cut offers a little bit of build-up, and more payoff that you can handle. Seriously, Royal Blood unleashed their wrath in a major way on this

15: Water Fountain - Tune-Yards

- Easily the zaniest song on my list, "Water Fountain" has a special something that just will not let go of me. It's bright, somewhat simple, but snowballs in to something more complex? Is that the best way to describe it?

14: Do You - Spoon

- By some stroke of misfortune, I had never listened to Spoon until this year. The single "Do You" made a strong grab at me, with its nonchalant aura and sweet yet earnest vocals really selling this thing as one of the years best.

13: Prince Johnny - St. Vincent

- It's December. St. Vincent's self titled effort dropped in February? You're telling me you haven't heard this fantastic record yet?? "Prince Johnny" stood out to me as the best artistic piece from the LP, with it's somber guitar tone to match the lyrics that feel as if they're reflecting on a lost friendship, to me at least.

12: Let Me Down Gently - La Roux

- La Roux got that tropical vibe flowing on her fantastic new album, and "Let Me Down Gently" proves to be no exception. She proves that she's stellar at making a darker, less upbeat track, and at incorporating 80s synths and more organic instrumentation without spoiling her natural charm.

11: Paris - Magic Man

- If there's a rebound of the year award, it goes to "Paris", as I initially dismissed this one. Good thing I didn't continue passing it over, because this song proves why electronic leaning alternative group Magic Man deserve to be on your radar.

10: Right On, Frankenstein! - Death From Above 1979

- DFA hit back hard, reminding us that they went down, but they're sure as hell back up. Right On! lays it on the listener with a lot of heavy bass riffs, and the most fun instrumental on the new record. Garage dance-punk is really all I could think of to classify it as, so that will have to do. Once this song breaks down to it's rapid little strums, then brings back the vocals and drums, it should be obvious why I love this one so much.

9: Human Sadness - Julian Casablancas + the Voidz

- I go a lot more detail on my review of their album Tyranny, but I'll say this. Julian brought this out of nowhere and made one of the most astonishing and emotional cuts of 2014, something I don't think too many would have banked out. The Strokes material may be getting stale, but rest assured that this cut has everything you could want in its 11 minute run.

8: Shut Up + Dance - Walk the Moon

- Dance rock ecstasy. Get out on the floor and groove, because Walk the Moon whip out some of the most likable synth and guitar combos I've heard since the mid 2000's.

7: Every Other Freckle - Alt J

- Love can turn to an obsession for some, and it can be a good or a bad thing. I'm not here to decide which category Alt-J fall into with this offering, but I'm sure as hell tuned in to listen. "Every Other Freckle" is a magnificent piece of art, and its creators should be proud, no matter how weird it can get at parts.

6: Guilty All the Same (ft. Rakim) - Linkin Park

- Some songs put a smile on your face and light a fire in your heart. Not only the first time you hear the track, but with every listen that follows. "Guilty All the Same" does that for, and it's epic 6 minute run should contain the answers as to why.

5: I Blame Myself - Sky Ferreira

- Yes, this was on a 2013 record, but it was released as a single in June of this year, making it eligible for my list! Ferreira knows her way around a melody, with some clicking and bumpy synthesizers guiding this song carefully on its path to success. She sounds as vulnerable as she does powerful on the cut, which only furthers my appreciation for this majestic song.

4: Take Me To Church - Hozier

- Hozier sings this song so fervently, and so convincingly, that its hard for me and the rest of the world to pass up on. This man dedicates his passion to his possibly unfaithful lover, asking "take me to church, I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies".

3: Out of the Black - Royal Blood

- If you follow my content, then you're aware that I've got a thing for this hard rock group from the UK. This is the song that made me fall in love with their style, and this is the one that hit home with me the most through the year.

2: Dangerous - Big Data ft. Joywave

- That bass line is forever embedded in me. "Dangerous" was one of my first loves of the year, as I heard it for the first time right around New Year's Day. Immediately predicted it would be a smash, included Big Data in my artists to watch list, just like with Royal Blood, and here they are with a #1 alternative single under their belts. Listen to ARTV, and you can see the future. Maybe that should be my new tagline...

1: Ballast (This Is the Time) - Nothing More

- Ocean Floor, the intro song that leads into this one HAS to get a shout out too. That build-up is immense, and the payoff is extremely rewarding. Nothing More are one of the most under-rated bands in the world of rock today. They've been making music for 10 years as a band, and I'll bet that you've never even heard of them! The reason "Ballast" tops my list is simple. No other tune rocked my world like this did. The ground shattering blasts of guitar, the anguished vocal performance from Jonny Hawkins, and the incredibly visceral and unique lyrics all helped seal the deal as well. How many rock bands out there are really trying to push the envelope with their lyrics, and push their listeners to think? Nothing More's self titled album is not one to miss, do yourself a favor and listen to the whole thing NOW.

The 25 WORST Songs of 2014 (ARTV)

2014-12-04T18:03:00.000-08:00

Let's face the harsh facts. 2014 had some really crappy music. My name is Jon, I run the youtube channel ARTV Reviews and the side channel Beyond ARTV, and these are my picks for the 25 WORST songs of the year. Enjoy!

#25: Magic! - Rude

Rude became more and more insufferable with time, with its agonizing lyrics of a forbidden love, it's wanna-be reggae spirit, and a semi-awkward use of the word rude throughout the song. I mean... who really says rude that much anyways? Especially in the younger generation. Sure, we all know what it means, but would you say "why you gotta be so rude?" if a dad told you to stay away from his daughter?

#24: Beyonce ft. Jay-Z - Drunk In Love

We get it Beyonce. You're passionately in love with Jay-Z and your sex life hasn't died down even with a baby in the picture. That's no reason to make us listen to you making god awful innuendos about surf boards. I've never cared for Beyonce personally, but this new album is the most I've actively disliked her.

#23: Kid Ink ft. Chris Brown - Main Chick

DJ Mustard makes his first appearance on my list, (he's the producer, if you're unfamiliar) but I'll save some of my many gripes with him for later in the countdown. Trust me, I'll have plenty of opportunities. "Main Chick" is essentially a replication of the earlier single "Show Me". Both come from the same album, the same artists, and... you get the point. When you're that lazy, it's just a shame that people still continue to consume it.

#22: Echosmith - Cool Kids

Echosmith aren't a talentless group, and I don't want you to think that's what I'm getting at. Hell, I enjoyed a few tunes from that Talking Dreams record. But here's the problem with their hit "Cool Kids". It's as bland and lifeless as you can get. The singer sounds emotionless as she forces out shitty lines we've all heard a million times like "I wish that I could be like the cool kids, cuz all the cool kids they seem to fit in." To add to it's woes, the instrumentation is flat and mundane. It's a shame that THIS is the song that took off for this group.

#21: Becky G - Shower

Becky G is no stranger to my list, making an appearance on last year's Worst Songs of 2013 list. Besides the cringe worthy amounts of the word 'ya' and the horrible lyricism that feels like it was written by a 10 year old that's listened to nothing but teen love songs all her life, this song feels absolutely STALE. The instrumental isn't 'catchy' or memorable, which is probably why it had such a short lifespan on the charts. Looks like Becky's gonna need a shower to wash this stain off of her already sloppy career.

#20: Future ft. Kanye West - I Won

While the rest of the world seemed to be focused on butts in 2014, Future and Kanye were too busy discussing trophies to even notice. Can somebody get me an exact count of how many times the word trophy was used in this recording? Future's auto-tuned vocals are obviously a huge minus, but add in a couple of grown men chatting like 4th graders about their 'trophies', aka their women, and you've got a terrible track on your hands.

#19: Jeremih ft. YG - Don't Tell Em

SIGH. Why must we subjected to more of this? DJ Mustard, the official producer of YG, rears his ugly production once again on the smash hit "Don't Tell Em". Sound like several other songs you've heard this year? Yeah, that's what I thought. Educate yourself American. We're gonna keep getting dumb music unless we demand a change.

#18: Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne & Tyga - Loyal

As Lil Wayne's career gets closer and closer to rock bottom, we get this collaboration with the foul mouthed, easily angered domestic abuser Chris Brown. It's clear the man hasn't changed at all, and if you believe all of the celebrity 'apologies' that happen, then you're naive. Granted, that has nothing do with the song, so I'll say this. You wanna hear a group of guys talking shit about women and say n***a for 4 minutes? Didn't think so. ON TO THE NEXT ONE!

#17: ILOVEMAKONNEN ft. Drake - Tuesday

People are actually loving this song. Should I be shocked? Probably not, but it's just another prime example of a mindless club song that somehow blew up. Will we ever hear from ILOVEMAKONNEN again? I highly doubt it, unless Drake decides to make this auto-tuned douchebag his new protege. Hopefully this dude's career takes a dive off a cliff, on a Tuesday.

#16: Iggy Azalea ft. MØ - Beg For It

Copy and paste. That seems like the function of the year for rappers, and pop artists in general. Iggy Iggy had a huge hit with "Fancy", so why not re-release her album and include another one key at a time synth driven track with a different, yet somehow almost the same, pop artist to sing the chorus. Iggy thinks she's in control thanks to 'pussy power', her words not mine, and makes her man of choice beg for her attention. Is that really what the feminist movement is about? Withholding sex from your partner so that you get what you want? I hate the world sometimes, I really do.

#15: Pitfull ft. John Ryan - Fireball

Pitbull gets his western saloon style ready, and shoots and misses big time once again. It's no secret that I hate Pitbull and everything he stands for, so it's no surprise that one of his songs is making it's way on to my worst songs list. He said it himself, he doesn't put effort in to what he does. He keeps things purposely simplistic and downright dumb. I'll never respect any artist that basically looks at the music industry as a goldmine.

#14: Bobby Shmurda - Hot N***a

This isn't racist, it just needs to be said. Hell, even a few very respectable black men in power have said it. But when will younger black men stop thinking that a life of drinking, drugs, women, and drive-by's is the ultimate goal in life? If you watch the music video and listen to this song, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. It's not just blacks OF COURSE, there are so many worthless white artists and artists of other races that feel the exact same way. This year, it just happened to be Bobby Shmurda that made the song that got me pissed off. Strive for something more, and that goes out to all the artists on this list.

#13: Rae Sremmurd - No Flex Zone

This is the point in making this list where I really start getting frustrated. the fact that the rest of these songs are just so OFFENSIVELY bad. On "No Flex Zone", we get to listen to some no name teen talk a huge game, say a bunch of things that kids just shouldn't be saying, and not hit puberty. Can't wait to see where this guy ISN'T 5 years down the road.

#12: Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz - Talk Dirty

Jason Derulo went from making "heartfelt" love jams to a bunch of songs about sex rather quickly. And for some mind-boggling reason, that's proven to be an extremely successful move for his career that was starting to lose traction. 2 Chainz comes and delivers a laughable as usual verse, and then the honking and clunky chorus rolls back around to remind us that a song CAN be annoying in every facet of its existence.

#11: Will.i.am ft. Miley Cyrus - Feelin' Myself

This track came out slightly too late to make last year's countdown, so you better believe I put on on this year's, if for nothing but to make an example of it. By now we all know that DJ Mustard is fucking terrible, and it's a given that will.i.am doesn't fall far behind. Put the 2 on a track together and throw in some laughable guest appearance from Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, and (gag) French Montana, and you've got something terrible on your hands. Will.i.am had about as much to do with this song as a bro-country artist does with writing his/her songs. That means almost none, get with the program people!

#10: Meghan Trainor - All About That Bass

I went on a rant about this song not all that long ago, and for, I believe, very good reason. Okay, say I can look past this song's childish nature, it's annoying vocal presentation, and writing. It's the LYRICS and Trainor's personality that irk me to no end. As I said in my rant, she essentially discredits a healthy lifestyle, shames skinny "bitches" (we all know you aren't kidding when you say it like that), and further promotes the mindset that we're all inherently wonderful. Bullshit. You have to work every day to better yourself, and anyone who thinks otherwise is simply wrong. Some people who are overweight can't help it. It doesn't make you a bad person if you are. But facts are facts. Obesity is a PROBLEM and unless you want to put yourself at risk for heart disease and a long list of other problems, maybe you should take advice from your doctor rather than Meghan fucking Trainor.

#9: Ty Dollar Sign ft. The Weeknd & Wiz Khalifa - Or Nah

Is we turning this awful collaboration that's all about asking for sex and degrading women off, or nah? Rappers, please stop making songs based on vine trends, you know no one will ever really respect you. Tupac would be rolling over in his grave if he knew what the mainstream "rap" genre has come to.

#8: Nicki Minaj - Anaconda

If Tupac was rolling in his grave for that last song, then he's doing summer-salts from this abomination from Nicki Minaj. And the worst part about it? There's still 7 songs that I feel are even worse than this nightmare of a tune. It borrows from Sir-Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back", and is all about butts and "anacondas", which is apparently supposed to be be a clever disguise for male genitalia. It's not. Minaj is supposedly a feminist, yet she raps about sex nonstop, and talks of how she let some random dude fuck her because he sold cocaine. THIS is your role model teenage girls? REALLY? If being a drug dealer is attractive to you, then you need to re-evaluate your entire life. I hate Minaj, I despise this song, and if you like good music, I'm sure you feel the same way.

#7: Jason Derulo ft. Snoop Dogg - Wiggle

The hook on this song is played with a recorder. It's another song about butts. The lyrical content doesn't even try to be clever, and the production will make you want to rip your hair out ever time you're in a friends car, and they don't change the station when this comes on the radio.

#6: Fergie - LA Love (La La)

Fergie is finally back as a solo artist, not that anyone was demanding it, and she's proved with this new song that... she went to elementary school. Fergie goes down an agonizingly long list of cities and countries, and tells them all to say "la la la la la". Fuck you Fergie. For making this absolutely horrid track, that would be horrible no matter who produced it. But you just HAD to throw some salt in the wound and throw Mustard on the beat, hoe.

#5: Jennifer Lopez ft. Iggy Azalea

This is a PSA for Jennifer Lopez. Iggy, you can feel free to listen in as well. Jennifer, you're 45 years old, acting like a rebellious teen with daddy issues. You made an entire song about "booty" because that's what's popular this year. I hope you feel good about yourself, for being a mindless slave to trends because you don't feel like your music could sell anymore without some sort of gimmick, and for the example you're setting for not only your kids, but for kids all over the world. Keep your clothes on kids, please.

#4: Play-N-Skillz ft. Lil Jon, Redfoo, & Enertia McFly - Literally I Can't

The makers of this song came under a LOT of fire after releasing this misogynistic party jam that centers around telling frat girls to "shut the fuck up". They quickly said "oh it's a joke please don't take this the wrong way!". Riiiiight. This song is PAINFUL to listen to. I only managed to make it all the way through twice, and that was just so I could reassure how high it would chart on this list.

PS, Lil Jon, you're over 40. Maybe it's time to stop hanging out at college parties.

#3: Big Sean ft. E-40 - I Don't Fuck With You

Big Sean attempts to get revenge on an ex-girlfriend by making the worst wanna-be anthem of the year. What a clever lyricist you are, Big Sean. Writing lines like "I don't fuck with you, you lil stupid ass bitch, I ain't fuckin' with you". Wow, what a mature way to handle a breakup. Doesn't at all sound like a 4th grader that just learned to curse making a song! And thank the lord DJ Mustard came in to save the day to make sure the beat sounded like every other generic piece of shit on the radio, phew!
...I hope everyone's sarcasm detectors are going off big time, for the record.

#2: Fifth Harmony - Bo$$

Fifth Harmony tries to channel the attitude and glamour of earlier girl groups like The Pussycat Dolls and Destiny's Child, but fall so flat on their faces that they create a black hole of suck...suction I mean. Suction so powerful that I was almost convinced I had slipped into an alternate universe where only the most contrived and idiotic music exists; a place full of Fifth Harmony and their constant references to Michelle Obama, because apparently she's the only woman with any power in this country. I slipped back into reality and realized that I was the one in control of the play button, therefore the boss. I immediately shut down the song, and never listened again. THE END.

#1: Gwen Stefani - Spark the Fire

Gwen, sweetheart, you're having a mid-life crisis. Adding a bunch of weird animation to your music video and sing-rapping about starting fires doesn't make you any less of a 45 year old woman. This song leaked the last week of November, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It's been almost 10 years since Stefani put out a solo LP, and after hearing lead single "Baby Don't Lie" from her comeback album, I was wishing that her solo career had stayed dormant. But no, Gwen had to spark things up, and put out not only the worst song of 2014, but possibly one of the worst songs I've ever heard from a mainstream artist. I cringe as Gwen chants "Hey get off my cloud", with Pharrell Williams shouting pointless obscurities in the background of the song. If the point of this song is to get played at the club at 2AM when everyone is so wasted that they don't even know what they're listening to, then mission accomplished. If this was an honest attempt at making a pop song, then let's break this thing down. You've got a horrible instrumental, complete with messy synths and bass, some of the worst songwriting I've ever seen, speaking of "Omg omg and LOL's", and an overall desperate feeling that sees Stefani clamoring to stay relevant by using lots of slang and abbreviations to target herself at the teenage demographic. Go home Gwen Stefani, you're not just drunk, you've lost your mind.

Sir Sly - "You Haunt Me" Album Review

2014-09-17T11:15:00.001-07:00

You know when you go to a concert and the
band puts on such an entertaining show that you just HAVE to check out their material when you get home?

Yeah, that's what happened with me and Sir Sly. I had heard the single "Gold" a few times on XM station Alt Nation, but had never listened to the group beyond that. They were one of the opening acts on The 1975's spring tour this year, and they absolutely killed it.

The band is a blend of dark synthesizers, noisy backing guitars, and poignant lyrics that really bite quite hard at times. A past relationship that failed seems to be the inspiration for the majority of this record, as tracks like "You Haunt Me" and "Ghost" capture that bitter essence perfectly.

This album works best when all of the dark gears are moving at the same time. There's an eerie quality to much of the music here, most notably on hit single "Gold", which disappointingly never quite gets topped on this debut album. There's a brooding sense of bitter lust in vocalist Landon Jacobs' throat as he speaks of one's desire for acquiring riches and fulfilling dreams. It all may sound like a nice farewell, but there's some fangs behind these lips as he fires off phrases like "I don't owe you a single thing, not a g**damn thing", presumably to an ex-flame, or at the very least, an old friend.

The record is split between these darker moments, and then moments of light on cuts like the catchy "Inferno" and the melancholy but somehow bright "You Haunt Me", in which Jacobs' vocals sound a whole lot like Tyler Glenn from Neon Trees. I can't say the title track is doing a whole lot for me, blending a rather drum pattern with some lazy vocals that only really capture my attention during the hook, which at least can be complimented for it's catchy synth line.

I found it interesting that the band decided to make a "part 1, part 2" set of songs on their debut record with the tracks "Nowhere / Bloodlines Part 1" and "Helpless / Bloodlines Part 2". The former is lead by a sense of despair as Jacobs sings "I know that I'm going nowhere, follow me there", possibly speaking of his own self destructive tendencies when it comes to relationships.

The dismissive attitude found in "Floods" is balanced out by a clap effect and light guitar to create an odd but certainly interesting feel. The lyrics mainly revolve around a man that had a relationship go down the drain, and his reaction, which was mainly swearing her off and saying "it doesn't matter, now you're gone".

Two of my favorite tracks come in the galloping and catchy alt pop jam "Inferno" and in the powerful "Too Far Gone". "Inferno" has a haunting sense of urgency brought out by a looped synth and piano that both consistently bring auditory pleasure throughout this short but sweet track! "Too Far Gone" comes in a close second for my favorite track on the record, with an acoustic guitar line reminiscent of something from the latest Portugal the Man album. The vocals are hooky and introspective, leading into a huge soaring chorus that is backed not only by that guitar, but by a bumping drum and synth combo.

You Haunt Me is a reflective and moody record, one to really appreciated in times of despair or vulnerability in life. The majority of these songs are really well crafted, but some tend to feel stale and unmoving which is unfortunate since there isn't a song on here that doesn't show at least a little bit of potential.

4/5

-Jon (ARTV)

If you enjoyed reading my review, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel where I post 2-3 video reviews each week on current albums.

Favorite tracks: Gold, Too Far Gone, Inferno, Helpless, Ghost

Least favorites: Leave You, Found You Out, Nowhere

alt-J "This Is All Yours" Album Review

2014-09-15T12:43:00.001-07:00

There's a simple command found on Macintosh computers. You can press the alt key along with the letter J, and a delta symbol (a triangle) will appear (∆). Originally formed under the moniker 'Films', a band from Leeds settled on the name alt-J, named after the aforementioned keyboard command.

The trio have a unique talent and sound, unlike any other band I've ever heard, effortlessly creating vivid dreamworlds with their music. The sound can only be described as ethereal, held together by charming synths, unique vocals, splashes of electronica, and intricate guitar structures. You might brush off this group as hipster trash and a bunch of nonsense, but I find that alt-J are only truly appreciated once you discover the intricacies of their music.

This Is All Yours comes off as a very diverse piece of art, with the band playing with sounds they've never tried before, ("Left Hand Free") and focusing on getting into a more consistent groove, especially in the latter half of the album. I may have set my expectations a bit too high for this album, as I still play the hell out of An Awesome Wave. I was a bit weary of a sequel song, "Bloodflood Part II", appearing, and also the lack of a bassist, as Gwil Sanisbury left the band in early January of this year. While I do feel that the band wander a bit on the instrumentals and opt for a softer and more stripped back sound, the guys still provide plenty of gripping instrumentals and lyrical puzzles that should please the majority of their fans.

alt-J are proving themselves to be pretty damn talented when it comes to starting things off on the right foot, once again providing one of the best songs on the album in the INTRO. There's some familiar 'la la la' chants from singer Joe Newman on the cut, which slowly takes form and evolves into a full blown masterpiece, boasting huge soaring synths and a sound reminiscent of "Taro" which appeared on their last record. Lyrically, we see their hip hop influences right off the bat on the title track intro, as Newman sings lines like "I pop clips, bitch, I draw my piece to my hip". That might sound extremely stupid for a band like this to sing, but it fits so well with the confidence of this piece that I can't deny it.

The journey truly begins on the tracks "Arrival In Nara" and "Nara", both referring a city in Japan which seems to have inspired a lot of the writing on this album. From its quiet yet bold acoustic structures, the former track tackles a very dark subject in an impressive way. The story revolves around a girl drowning in a tragic accident at sea, drifting away from what we can only assume was her significant other. It's not a favorite for me, but it's definitely a bit chilling.

"Nara" sees more of a full band effort, with beautiful piano and vocals eventually leading into a synth and chime climax. Is it a xylophone perhaps? I'm not exactly sure, but the instrumentation on this track is absolutely perfect. Thom's drumming is also worth noting not only on this song, but all throughout the record. His style might not be extremely fast paced, but it incorporates many different styles of music and patterns to make a really unique sound.

All throughout This Is All Yours, alt-J seem to be painting a picture for us. That's why I feel like the album cover is so fitting, as it features splatters of paints in various colors. It's not just ONE color, it's several, just like there are several different styles of music on the album. One thing that's consistent is the odd and subtle nuances that are placed on each song. Whether it be Newman's strange lyrics that have to be studied to be understood, or an almost hidden melody, it's all about the secret treasures.

"Pusher" is one of those songs that has a different pace and style. I don't think it offers as much as many of the songs do, but the chorus is inevitably warm and memorable. Joe and Gus have a knack for creating vocal harmonies, and they really get a chance to shine on this raw and intimate jam that appears near the end of the record.

Let's take a minute to discuss the singles released preceding this record. "Hunger of the Pine" struck me as some of the best work alt-J have done to date almost instantly. It's simple in its structure, but features a message that many of us can relate to. Pining away for someone so much that it pains you to carry on through the day. Imagine that, presented to you in a crisp and delectable package, encompassing everything from a light and airy synth line to a Miley Cyrus sample ("I'm the female rebel" from her song 4x4), all without compromising the integrity of the band! If you can make a Miley sample fit that well around your brooding and dark sounding song, you're doing it right. This song might start off light, but rest assured its packing a huge punch as it progresses.

"Left Hand Free" threw the world for a loop when it premiered. Whether they wrote this song to appease their label that was demanding a more mass appealing single or not, the song somehow manages to work. It's got an odd charm to it, even though I would consider it their most 'normal' song to date. Sounds like the band might have been listening to a little bit of Black Keys material before writing this one, but hey, only the band knows how this song truly came about.

But the band still hadn't revealed their best work to us yet. "Every Other Freckle" was released as single #3, but I didn't listen until I got my hands on the record about a week ago. Even after one listen, I knew that this was it. This was THE song I had been unknowingly waiting for this band to make. Every single aspect of this song works in the most wonderful way, mixing everything from a gospel styled choir, to lustful and oddball lycicism, to roaring synthesizer solos for a sound that is unmistakeably alt-J. I can't even begin to explain the love that I have for this piece of art, so I'll stop myself before I begin to ramble. This is the best song this band has released, and will easily go down as one of the best things in music in 2014 for me.

This album is one to be listened to in full, as there's an obvious start and finish to it. I almost look at it like a journey through a forest and various other landscapes in another continent. It seems like the band wrote many of the album's tracks such as "Choice Kingdom" and "Warm Foothills" from a point of observation. Not necessarily influenced by real life events, but from somewhere in the depths of ones mind. These two in particular are growers. I don't think the casual music fan would just sit down to "Kingdom" and fall in love. Maybe I'm wrong, but for me, cuts like this mainly work in the context of a record. "Foothills" is a completely different story, quickly recognizable as one of the most beautiful moments on here. Whistling, tamborines, and additional vocals from Connor Oberst & Lianne La Havas are all in the mix on this gem, don't miss out.

"The Gospel of John Hurt" is the final track worth noting, due to its inventive feel and fascinating musicianship. They once again have a rather large build-up, which crashes into a melodic fury of chimes backed by a focused guitar line and later, guiding vocals from Newman. It's quickly turned into an overall favorite for me.

It turns out that alt-J can pull of a sequel track and a Miley Cyrus sample a lot better than the majority of us would have thought. The charm and creativity is there, but its not bleeding through as much as it did on their debut. They're craftsmen, making what they please, but this batch of songs does disappoint me slightly.

4/5

-Jon (ARTV)

Please check out my YouTube channel if you enjoyed reading this review. I post several video reviews each week on there!

Favorites: Every Other Freckle, The Gospel of John Hurt, Intro, Left Hand Free, Hunger of the Pine, Warm Foothills

Least faves: Arrival in Nara, Leaving Nara, Choice Kingdom

U2 - "Songs of Innocence" Album Review

2014-09-09T21:14:00.004-07:00

For a band like U2, it's hard to grab the attention of the world. That attention that you once had, with fans on the edge (pun intended) of their seats waiting for a new record. What better a way to reinvigorate the music scene than by giving it away for free to over half a BILLION people, without them having to do anything other than check their iTunes account? Whether you want to hear about it or not, this album is drawing insanely large amounts of attention after being unveiled at Apple's press conference where they revealed several new Apple products, along with this new U2 album Songs of Innocence.

I can't say that I've ever referred to myself as a U2 fan, but I've discovered some of their albums from Joshua Tree all the way to No Line on the Horizon. I really appreciate how earnest Bono's vocals can come across, and The Edge is an extremely talented guitarist that often gets overlooked, even though the band have achieved such an unfathomable amount of success. For some reason, I was excited for this record and I didn't even know why! It was like an early and unexpected Christmas present from Tim Cook and the rest of the Apple crew, albeit one I hadn't asked for it.

This "surprise" album actually, well, surprised me. In a good way! I can't say that I was impressed at all (I was actually terrible bored) by their last effort, so jumping into Songs of Innocence was a breath of fresh air for me. The stadium rock antics that have plagued their recent records have been scaled back for this release, and we really get to focus on a more personal side of the band. There's some synths scattered in the mix that sound great with the guitars and bass work, and the production, while not perfect by any means, is very neat thanks largely in part to Mr. Brian Burton (Danger Mouse). It's not always obvious that he's at the helm on most of these tracks, but it's undeniable on jams like "This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now" (yeah, we hear sliding in those Broken Bells esque synths).

There are definitely some stale pieces to this puzzle though, where the band falls back into the routine of making poorly written concert ready rock ballads, point in case "Iris" (Hold Me Close). It's really not so much that I hate ballads at all, it's simply the fact that the band have failed to make one in recent times that didn't sound like washed up and recycled garbage, held together by a light guitar and a less than engaging vocal performance. I could say similar things about "Sleep Like a Baby Tonight", but I don't think I will.

The album offers standout songs like "The Miracle" (Of Joey Ramone), "Cedarwood Road", and "Raised By Wolves" that cause me to believe that there ARE still creative sparks flying around in this band. "The Miracle" is aided by its catchy melody, and a nice set of lyrics to match. It's interesting that U2 would make a song in reference to Joey Ramone, since it's rumored that he was listening to one of the band's songs when he died back in 2001.

I don't doubt that "Cedarwood Road" and "Every Breaking Wave" will please those fans that have been around since the 1980's, with enough spirit and nostalgia to push their way into the hearts of many listeners. "Cedarwood" feels like a classic waiting to happen, but I can't say that "Wave" makes me feel much of anything personally, but it's a pretty decent tune.

However, "California" (There Is No End To Love) is a totally different story. It's a personal favorite of mine on the album, full of well structured instruments, and most importantly to this track's vitality, an infectious vocal performance from Bono. As catchy as it is smart, this track could easily end up on my year end list. The Edge even throws in a nice little guitar solo on this one, what's not to love?

There's already plenty of hyperbolic comments flying around the interwebs, accusing the band of once again sounding bloated and overproduced, by I also find after some digging (most of the time) that these are the same "fans" that haven't liked a U2 record since War or The Unforgettable Fire.

The album's closing track "The Troubles" is also worth noting, as it features guest vocals from the artist Lykke Li. It sports a darker sound, which includes a beautiful string section and some chilling vocal harmonies from Bono and Li. To say that their voices mesh well is an extreme understatement, and Li did an amazing job handling the heart of the song, as she sings "somebody stepped inside your soul" before coming back to the harmony. It's close to taking the cake for me, and easily on my list of favorites from the band, period.

If you're looking to hear the styling of bassist Adam Clayton on display, I would recommend "Volcano". Sure, things can get a bit silly when in the lyrical department, but the intricate guitar pattern and the opening bass notes make this thing such a worthwhile part of the album. I also can't deny that the chorus is compelling, one of the more explosive ones on here to be honest.

The final track that I feel is worth mentioning in a positive light is the airy but powerful "Raised by Wolves". Driven by some of the most creative guitars on the album, this cut is proof that the band can still churn out a gripping hook without having to sacrifice all of their lyrical dignity.

Big fan or not, I can appreciate this album for what it is. I can't speak of its longevity yet, but that's the case with anything I review. Whose to say that this will or won't be a classic down the road? For now, I'm taking it for what it is, and that's a solid rock record that blends classic and contemporary elements to its advantage.

4/5

-Jon (ARTV)

If you enjoyed reading my review, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel, where I review several albums each week in video form.

Royal Blood "Royal Blood" (Album Review)

2014-08-19T15:19:00.000-07:00

ROYAL BLOOD. The band name I've been preaching to the masses since New Years Day 2014. Don't believe me? Here's proof. See what you get for not believing your old pal Jon?

Anyways, what I'm getting at is that I just KNEW this band was on to something, something special. The abrasive and undeniably hard rock sound that lead single "Out of the Black" provided was enough to give me hope for the year in music. It's stood the test of time quite well, as it will without a doubt be in the top 10 of my 'greatest songs of the year' list.

WHAT makes them such an enthralling listen? Why are they suddenly the saviors of hard rock, or even rock music period? That answer is clearly found in the music itself. There are only TWO band members, a singer/bassist and a drummer. Yes, I'm telling you that this hard rocking duo doesn't even use a guitar, but the tones he achieves with his bass is mind-blowing.

The most enjoyable parts of this record surround those beautiful guitar moments, that channel everything from Wolfmother to At the Drive-In to Led Zeppelin, along with smart and inventive lyrics that actually push the envelope in a year where mediocre has been settled for by the artists AND the listeners. I really don't want to trap them under a specific influence though, because more often than not, the sound can only be described as that of Royal Blood, a name which I hope that soon more will know.

I almost never pre-order albums, but I held on to faith that this would be worth my money and my time. Let's just say I was right on target.

I think the only way to do this album justice is to go through and do a brief discussion on each track from the record, starting with the lead single, also the debut single from this UK band, "Out of the Black".

I've already praised this song numerous times, but I'm laying out my thoughts on it one more time for those who have yet to hear. "Out of the Black" is the best ROCK song I have heard in years. It's perfectly timed guitar and drum hits kick off this song with so much angst, that when the guitar and drums finally unleash, it's impossible to stop yourself from head banging along to the rhythm. Michael Kerr gives a powerful and angry vocal performance on this track (and throughout the album) which rounds out this bands sound. There isn't a weak aspect to them, just powering guitar and drums moments and solos, and a voice that engages the listener from track one to fin.

"Come On Over" strikes next, firing off an assault of mysterious feeling guitars in its intro. The most notable pieces of the track comes in the aforementioned guitars, and it's rotation between softer and more restrained verses, versus an explosive chorus that packs one of the hardest punches that this album has to offer. The lyrics are very sexual in nature, which is why it's music video works so well.

I do have a problem with this record. I can't figure out which track I love more. Is it the song "Out of the Black" which started my love for the band? Or is it follow up single "Figure It Out"? The first time I heard this particular track, I could feel the hairs on my arms standing up and energy flowing through my body. Eureka, this band has struck gold. "Figure It Out" works so well as a whole, balancing a lighter guitar melody and drum pattern, before utterly destroying things (in a good way) in its final act. Kerr's vocals seem so focused and dark, like he actually IS sitting here pondering something, trying to figure out what his next move is. Remember that final act that I mentioned? Yeah, you're gonna wanna make sure you stick around for the entire song. Houston, we have liftoff. That bass gets put to work big time on the outro, and as it pummels with an untamed animosity, I sit here stunned at the simple fact that it's not an electric guitar playing all of this. Truly one of the best songs of the year right here.

Once we get to "You Can Be So Cruel", we start getting to the songs that I haven't heard yet. (Yeah, maybe I'm a pussy for caving and getting the EP, but how the fuck was I supposed to know when they were gonna release an album?) I highlighted this cut and labeled it as a standout for it's old school hard rock edge, and its twisted and passionate love affair lyrics. Tossed to the curb, and this guy is still coming back for more. Women and relationships gone sour are easily the biggest lyrical influence for these guys, but thank the good lord it is NOT done in a way that even remotely feels silly or cheap.

"Blood Hands" is a slow burning fuse that intrigues me from start to finish because of its honesty. Kerr sings "there's blood on my hands" as a euphemism for the guilt that he feels from a certain situation, of which we know very little about. The instrumentation surrounding the track is really what makes things that much sweeter, in a sinister kind of way. This is one of those songs I would want playing on repeat if I ever lived in a dark mansion and had a cat sitting in my lap like my old pal Dr. Claw from Inspector Gadget.

Things aren't quite as splendid on "Little Monster", as the bass feels a bit weaker and less creative, a problem that we haven't seen up until now. It's chorus is, dare I say, catchy, and saves this one from being a total loss. I don't necessarily feel like this is a poor song at all, it's just not of the same high caliber that Royal Blood have shown us up to this point, and continue showing AFTER this tune.

I'm really digging the almost bluesy rock persona that "Loose Change" takes on. It's built on a very simple riff and light drum arrangement, but its true power comes in its lyrics. The song's intensity also hits a new peak in the latter half as Kerr howls "Stop playing god on your telephone", most likely referring to how so many people in our day and age think they're untouchable and anonymous because they can hide behind the modern technology.

"Careless" is a tried and true track that features some Wolfmother feeling guitars, and a message of despair that we've heard many times. It's not unwelcome here though, as we see Kerr in a negligent state of mind, battling against himself as he turns to his vices while attempting to put an old flame in the rear-view.

I'm picking up an ever so slight Tool influence from"Ten Tonne Skeleton", which has evolved in to one of my overall favorite tracks on the record. "Cut loose like an animal, fired out like a cannon ball" Kerr sings over an ever climbing bass groove that never truly explodes, though it doesn't need to in order to succeed.

As far as closers go, you can't ask for much more than what we get in "Better Strangers. A brooding guitar texture shapes up this tell tale song, warning of a femme fetale that ultimately leads one to disaster. Kerr remarks "I'm a thousand miles from danger if I make a better stranger of you". Well said sir.

5/5

Alt-J "An Awesome Wave" Album Review

2014-07-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

Alt-J have made a name for themselves for daring to be different. Symbolism plays a big part in this band's image. They may be too dense or 'artsy' for some, but I find their broad range to be be incredibly enticing. There are two things that make Alt-J click for me.

The first of those obviously being the music that surrounds this piece of art, full of rich but light flourishes of off-kilter of guitar work, skillful and precise drum patterns, and vocals from frontman Joe Newman that are noticeably different than anyone else in the music scene right now.

The other key attribute that makes this band resonate with me is their lyrical content. In a world that is so convoluted with cliches and set patterns, these men are making masterpieces that actually make the listener THINK. Each song has a deeper meaning, or potential interpretation, that what initially meets the eye.

Prime example. "Tessellate" could be explained in many different ways. The song is so brooding and dark musically, led by a beautifully played piano part that mixes in with a sinking feeling of sexual desire and lust. To me, this song is all about that passion, and a potential love triangle. Newman sings "Triangles are my favorite shape, three points where two lines meet", possibly referring to how all parties involved are joined together by the mutual connection, but choose to put that aside, even if just for one passionate night.

I can't stress to you enough the importance of dissecting the lyrical messages hidden in some of these songs, just because of the fact that it WILL change the way you look at these tracks, which are doused in sarcasm, lust, and even greed. I'm not saying that a casual listener can't just throw on tracks like "Bloodflood" or even "Fitzpleasure" and not enjoy them, since they most likely will. But mainly for the music, and I can't say I would blame you if you want to go that route since the sounds are so pleasant.

I was hooked on this record's unique sonic style immediately after hearing the opening track, properly titled "Intro". You might be thinking, so many band's do short little instrumental intros Jon, how could this one be any different? LISTEN FOR YOURSELF! This track is absolutely beautiful. It's impossible for me not to love everything about this. The way it presents itself is so damn captivating, featuring a broad spectrum of instrumentation and unique and skillful playing. The brief vocal part we get on the track takes a stab at modern concert and festival attenders, before launching back into a guitar and synth driven angst that makes this truly one of the best songs on the album.

One thing I didn't know and fully understand right off the bat though was the shocking single "Fitzpleasure", which believe it or not tells the story of brutal and violent gang rape. The story's character, Tralala, is lifted from the book "Last Exit To Brooklyn". As much as I love the driving bass line and airy effects and vocals that make this song so memorable, I can't praise the lyrics on this one. At what point do they condemn these actions? When were they planning to step in and intervene, or even paint rape in a bad light? It doesn't happen, and it's a shame. I understand that this is an artistic piece and a supposed representation of one just standing at the window, looking in on what's happening, but still. Not cool Alt-J.

"Dissolve Me" is a distinct song in it's musical nature, pushing forward with a synth line that supplements it's almost bright guitar and keyboards. It's interesting since this song is open to different meaning lyrically. The most common interpretation, which is what I personally believe, is that this track is about a troubled couple who rely on sex and drugs to get them through their sleep deprived and stressful life.

"Breezeblocks" was another instant favorite for me, speaking of a doomed relationship that has taken a final dive off of a cliff, so to speak. It's bass line was the first thing I noticed, pummeling this track and really just dominating the spirit of the song! It's lyrics, much like most of the record, will not make sense to you at first and might come off ridiculous and outlandish. Just really sit down and think about it, and the song will start to make sense to you, I promise.

There are more straightforward tracks on the record, telling of relationships struggles and personal dilemmas on cuts like "Matilda" and "Something Good". "Matilda" in particular has one of the more vibrant choruses that tends to come to mind when I think of An Awesome Wave. The light strums of the guitar sound so delicately crafted, and develop into something quite intricate as it intertwines with a distant piano melody during the chorus of the song.

"Something Good" is probably my least favorite cut, alongside the guitar and piano interludes. Not to downplay these tracks necessarily, but I feel like there's an edge lacking to these three in particular. The rest of the record has something unique to offer with each song, these just don't.

There are tingly moments scattered throughout, sending chills up and down my spine as the instrumentals send me into another realm as I listen. "MS" in particular satisfies in this regard, striking me as one of the more elegant and chilling pieces on the LP.

There's a decent amount of gospel styled vocal patterns that trickle their way in throughout the record, sending a message of cynicism to the listener, as this normally calming aspect in music is almost intentionally placed there to contrast the dark lyrical themes. I'm not saying this was the band's intention, but it's how I interpret it and I think it's a very nice touch.

The final track I want to mention are "Taro", which includes the hidden bonus track "Hand-Made" which appeared on their debut EP. "Taro" is by far one of the most intriguing cuts the band have released to date, making use of not only their standard instruments such as guitars and a string section, but a galloping cello and violin that add so much texture to this track, which is technically the proper closing track for An Awesome Wave.

I can't say that there are many records like this one out there. It's always nice to have a breath of fresh air in a music scene that is more often than not simply passable, and nothing more. This album offers up more than the status quo, and even it's weaker tracks come off more intelligent and pleasant than say what the current market is offering us. If you like experimental music, unique vocals, and lyrics that will challenge your mind, then you need to hear this record, and check out Alt-J. Perfect score for me.

I hope you guys enjoyed this review, sorry it took so long for me to get it out there, but this summertime slowness in the new album release calendar has made it possible for me to go back and listen to some albums I've been meaning to discuss. Thanks for reading, and check out my YouTube channel to see the video version of this review, along with 100's of other reviews.

5/5

-Jon, ARTV

Crown The Empire "The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways" Album Review

2014-07-20T10:11:00.003-07:00

Crown the Empire want you to take them seriously, but I'm having a really hard time doing so. The new album "The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways" is pretty much a sequel and follow-up concept album, following the character Johnny and the rest of gang.

What's different this time around?

There are far less electronics and out of place dubstep sounds, more thoughtful lyrics as a whole, and really just a more mature sounds that actually makes it worth a listen.

Take those positive notes with a grain of salt though, as there are still plenty of bumps that throw this ride off a proper course. The widespread issues with the record is the cheesiness of it's overarching subject matter. I suppose I'm supposed to commend the group for daring to do an album with all of these "acts", which serve as interludes and as opportunities for the band to slip in dialogue and chatter from the imaginary world around them, but I just can't fully get on board with it. I'm definitely NOT opposed to a band doing this, creating another world for listeners to visualize and share with them (Danger Days, My Chemical Romance anyone?), but not when it's one of the most cliched story lines in existence, and feels eerily similar to Black Veil Brides "Wretched and Divine".

DON'T think that I hate this record, or even dislike it that much at all. It's just hard for me to get past the lack of authenticity I feel from the lyrics at times. Think of it this way. It's like watching a cartoon you might have loved as a kid, but then coming back to it years later and still liking it, but cringing at the silliness of some it's moments. All of this being said, there really are some praiseworthy tracks on this album.

I have to compliment the band for stepping in a much better direction musically this time around. There are plenty of moments that have much more of a nu-metal or hard rock feel to them, with the guitars tones reminding me somewhat of the recent Slaves record, albeit more skilled and notable.

The screamed vocals in the second half of "Call To Arms" surprised me in a good way, leading into one of the singles, "Initiation". That particular cut utilizes a nice mix of electronics and hard riffs, but struggles with a rather generic sounding bridge and chorus. A lot of fans are pretty divided on the song from what I can tell, and I definitely see why.

I often find myself admiring this album's show of musicianship more than anything else, as the instrumentals are generally rather strong as a whole. More often than not, I'm not totally invested into the lyrical messages or the vocal performances.

"Millenia" completely caught me off guard. It's a surprisingly human moment in album that just feels so, well... not? I'm picking up a huge Pierce the Veil vibe from this song vocally and with the guitar patterns, and I'm really digging it. Easily my favorite track on this album, with an explosive mid 2000's sounding guitar solo to cap off this excellent track.

More guitar moments fire off across the record and really resonate with me as some of the most passionate and memorable things about "The Resistance". The soaring chorus of "Machines" is prime real estate for this, sliding in some distant reverb laden guitars and combining in with some furious drumming that really captured my ears. "The Phoenix Reborn" also includes a powerful guitar solo that really matches the rest of the song's energy and makes it a highlight on the album.

The album never totally engages me, as there are tracks like "MNSTR", "Bloodline", and "Second Thoughts" that really cause the album to stray from it's semi-solid musical premise by playing the never fun but seemingly always apparent generic game, where your favorite metalcore and hardcore bands throw in a handful of tracks that feel totally run of the mill and unnecessary.

"MNSTR" thrives off of repeating boring riffs and screaming harshly about how one has turned into a monster. If it's painful lyrics weren't enough to do it in, then the face palm worthy breakdown is.

Cuts like "Maniacal Me" and "Johnny's Rebellion" have a dark and sinister evil carnival, if you will, feel to them. It's perhaps over the top, but I can't help but enjoy the theatrics, especially on "Johnny's Rebellion", which is one of the most entertaining cuts from the band to date.

I honestly wasn't expecting "The Resistance" to be as enjoyable as it is. If you can look through past some of the unnecessary theatrics, you'll see that this is one of the more enjoyable metalcore releases of the year so far, although I don't see it having much of a reply factor for me personally.

3/5

Don't forget to check my YouTube channel if you want to see the video version of this review, along with a ton of other reviews. Thanks for reading and watching! -Jon

Key tracks: Millenia, Johnny's Rebellion, Machines, Call To Arms, Phoenix Reborn

Bleachers "Strange Desire" Album Review

2014-07-16T14:40:00.000-07:00

To see the video version of this review, visit my YouTube channel. Thanks for reading. -Jon

BLEACHERS. Sorta sticks in your mind for some reason, doesn't it? Bleachers is the name of the musical projected created by the guitarist of the multi-platinum selling band, Fun. He does have a name though, Jack Antonoff. You might also know him for his band Steel Train, which had a few minor hits before disbanding a few years ago, around the same time that Fun really started having success.

Is the man a one band wonder? Or can he balance two? Antonoff seemed like he was up to tackling two after the release of the burst of sunlight and joy "I Wanna Get Better", which serves as the lead single to Strange Desire. I immediately fell for this song's blissful charms, which has enough angst and heart to win over new fans, as well as ones that may have followed over from Fun fandom.

Upon listening to this record, I find myself completely disenchanted with the direction of the majority of these tracks. Jack has made thrown his hat in the ring along with everyone else who seems to be following the trend of the 80's, but with even weaker results that you might imagine.

The music is a real downfall for the album, often meandering about aimlessly, as Antonoff sings repetitively about a girl with a wild heart that he's been chasing for what seems like forever. Seriously though! How many tracks reference this girl and her wild heart? This causes much of the record to feel very bland and tasteless lyrically for me, opting to run in circles rather than move forward into something halfway good.

There are plenty of connecting lyrical themes on the record, including the album opening and closing on the phrase "I really wanna be grateful", which gets particularly annoying on the album's closer "Who I Want You To Love".

It's really a shame for the latter track I just mentioned, as it actually shows some potential. It opens up with an acoustic guitar and a smooth indie feel, that mainly satisfies, but could definitely do without the minute and a half outro.

Before I get to the tracks that I really can't even tolerate, why don't I point out some of the highlights that are actually worth checking out? "Shadow" and "Rollercoaster" were both released as promo singles prior to the full length, with "Shadow" having a slight edge in terms of interesting material.

I think I like "Shadow" because it offers up something new and unique when compared to the rest of the LP. The vocals sound different once again, with Jack almost sounding like a plethora of different vocalists rather than just one. There's more of a gang styled vocal approach on this one though, with a quickly paced synth line backing this edgy cut.

Minus a few bright spots I've already mentioned, the rest of the record feels lackluster, and on occasion, downright awful. The album hits it's lowest of lows on the cut "Take Me Away" which features electronic musician Grimes. Auto-tune plagues and ruins and chance of decent vocals, simply for the fact that it's not used in a fun and playful way, but rather in a way that sounds like a discarded track from the latest Future album. SKIP!

Although not quite as bad, "Wake Me" still has a few elements that make me cringe. Lines like "I'd rather be sad with you than anywhere away from you" get repeated throughout the track and just irk me from a songwriting standpoint of view. The track feels passionless, especially in the vocal department. It sounds like it was written with Jack looking out the window on a rainy day, kind of murmuring his journal entries out loud as a guitar quietly shuffles in the background.

"I'm Ready To Move On/Wild Heart Reprise" makes random use of the one and only Yoko Ono, and it just sounds downright weird. I can't quite tell if I like this track or not. It sounds an awful lot like "Menswear" from The 1975's debut record, and that kind of intrigues me considering I loved that song.

There's a few that I'm pretty much indifferent on, "Reckless Love" and "You're Still a Mystery" for example. But I'm really just not enjoying this Bleachers record at all. Antonoff is clearly capable of so much more, just check out any of the Steel Train or Fun albums if you need proof. He's a talented guitarist that's trying his hand at something else, but it's really just not my cup of tea.

Let me know what you think of Strange Desire in the comments, or on my YouTube channel which is linked several places on the blog, you just have to find them. This is all just my opinion, so let me knows tastefully and respectfully below. Until next time music fans.

2/5

-Jon

Key Tracks: I Wanna Get Better, Shadow, Rollercoaster

Steer clear of: Take Me Away, Wake Me, Like a River Runs

La Roux "Trouble In Paradise" Album Review

2014-07-15T19:22:00.002-07:00

Hey guys, Jon from ARTV. Make sure to check out the video version of this review over on my YouTube channel. Hope you all enjoy my review of the new La Roux record "Trouble In Paradise"

Bulletproof dropped 5 years ago. Just
think about that, because that's how long it's been since the band, which is technically just Elly Jackson's solo project, had that hit single. La Roux was doing the 80s even back then, back when it wasn't cool!

        The self titled record released that year was a blissful, sentimental, and fun record, with a shelf life to it that's helped her hold on to a solid fan base in this modern age where most acts would long be forgotten by going half a decade without an album.

"Trouble In Paradise" was announced earlier this year and I was immediately enthusiastic towards this release after hearing the lead single "Let Me Down Gently". A cut above what most 80s driven acts are doing these days, simply because of its heart. It's one of the more emotionally in tune tracks on the record, with much of the LP having a vibrant and upbeat sexual appeal doused with a healthy dose of synthpop and alternative.

The style of the record is this tropical and breezy, fusing together the smart 80's sensibilities of the debut album with a new open feel to really cultivate a sound that I see as a solid step forward for La Roux.

"Let Me Down" is a winner for combining the breathy "who, haaa's" with an emotive vocal performance and an inescapably memorable synth line that makes this without a doubt a contender for one of my top tracks of the year.

Although this album does remind me of several other releases this year including the self titled Kitten record I recently reviewed alongside Anthony Fantano. What sets this record apart for me is that the album doesn't take itself too too seriously, unlike some similar acts that tend to get caught up in the glitz and glam of the 80's rather than other elements of its existence.

Sex and attraction fuel parts of the record like I already mentioned. Whether it be blatantly in your face on cuts like "Sexotheque", or more reserved and playful on the 7 minute highlight "Silent Partner", it's definitely there.

I think "Trouble In Paradise" is stacked with potential hits, let's just hope that Elly and her touring band can keep it together on the road this fall and not take so long for a follow up next time around.

What's really clicking with me is the adventurous feel that the instrumentation provides for the listener. The guitars are solid and creative, the synth lines are completely refreshing and crush many of the tracks, and Elly's vocals come off really intriguing and fun to me.

Point in case of the playful and fun nature that I've been hinting at is the bumping and bright "Kiss and Not Tell". Potential single? HMMM?! Instantly catchy, with a memorable chorus and melody to match the outstanding instrumentation, I definitely see this as something that will please fans.

Miss Jackson croons over the airy and free spirited "Cruel Sexuality" that's as serious as it is blissful. The island vibes really start to radiate at this point in the record, and I couldn't be happier with the results. "Tropical Chancer" is another song that flows with the same spirit, but with less satisfying results unfortunately.

I think "Silent Partner" could be my favorite cut from the record, a smashing 7 minute epic that has one of the most tangible synth lines in recent memory. Perky keys and bass are added bonuses, as the track winds in and out but never really loses its momentum going forward, even though the synth line rarely changes.

One of the weaker moments on the record would be "Paradise Is You", which reminds me a little bit too much of the single "Let Me Down Gently" in terms of it's vocal style. Big synthesizers and keys tend to distract me and allow my mind to wander. With that being said, the song does have a nice build to it, and the latter half feels much stronger and has really grown on me as a whole.

La Roux has been performing a few of the cuts from the album live since last year, including the upbeat "Sexotheque", which comes with a catch. It's really a song about a man who always has his lady questioning his whereabouts, because he's always at the strip club! Or something similar to one. THAT BASTARD! Too bad it's got such a pleasant feel or else I might feel bad for the lady.

I'm enjoying the good vibes that this album brings, but I can't help but feel like some of the tunes won't age as well as others, including the whacky out of place closer "The Feeling". Repetition is key to many points of the album, and while I often find that to be a good thing as it brings consistency, I could see some listeners getting irritated by this aspect of the music.

"Trouble In Paradise" paid off big time in the scheme of things though, truly surprising me on a record that I really didn't expect a ton from, even though I have been in love with "Let Me Down Gently" since May. Hope you all enjoyed the review, keep checking back here and to my channel for more reviews in the future.

4/5

"Trouble In Paradise" is out July 22nd worldwide on Polydor Records.

-Jon

Charli XCX "True Romance" Album Review

2014-07-14T19:26:00.000-07:00

Charli XCX. A name I've heard many times, and whose songs I had inadvertently heard, but a name that I never really knew until May of this year. You may remember that I recently collaborated with Anthony Fantano of the needle drop on a review of the debut record from Kitten. During the review, he name dropped Charli a couple of times which peaked my curiosity.

Charli is an interesting musician, simply for the fact that her personality actually seems to bleed through in her music, unlike so many pop stars that feel as if they're making music that relates to a very broad audience. She's got a little bit of a mouth on her, and often comes off very sarcastic and snappy with her lyrics and vocal presentation. She has just enough charisma and spunk to pull of this whole glam 80's throwback style she seems to be going for with the majority of her album.

"You" (Ha Ha Ha) really caught my attention for the aforementioned reason, along with it's glitchy and poppy yet unbelievably catchy production style, with biting lyrics and a chorus to remember.

I think a lot of what stands out to me about this young singer is her versatility as an artist. There are numerous musical styles tackled on True Romance, and she's easily able to shift her vocal style track to track without feeling disconnected from the music.

There's plenty of self depreciating moments on the record, that really dig at personal problems the singer has encountered growing up, and making the transition into the spotlight. The moments where Charli slows things down on tracks like "How Can I" and simply opens up about what she's feeling doesn't feel cheap or unnecessary like I would argue with some artists, but rather shows a more vulnerable side of the singer.

"You're The One" is a standout single for me, mainly because it doesn't do what I at first expected it to. It's almost some sort of a retaliation, as if she's fighting off love in the verses, but then accepting it within the chorus. The stylistic shift from verse to chorus is also noticeable and praiseworthy, reminding me of fellow pop star Sky Ferreria in all of the best ways.

Charli XCX is making some great pop music in an age where mediocre is pretty much the standard. I'm really enjoying this record for the most part, minus a few stale cuts that feel silly and skippable. Check it out, and let me know what you think in the comments! I realize it's been out for awhile now and we're on the brink of another new album from the UK singer but hey... better late than never.

Thanks for reading everyone, this is serving as the relaunch to my blog. I will occasionally do text reviews for albums that I've accidentally passed up, or maybe even a track review here and there. Basically stuff that I don't get a chance to do in video form. Keep in mind the text reviews will normally be relatively short.

4/5

Check out my YouTube channel!

Key tracks: You (Ha Ha Ha), Nuclear Seasons, You're The One, How Can I, Cloud Aura.

TOP 50 SONGS OF 2013

2013-12-14T09:05:00.001-08:00

See the video version HERE

50. Doin’ It Right – Daft Punk / Panda Bear

-In a weak year for dance and electronic music, Daft Punk shone a light through with their impressive disco/dance record RAM. This track serves as my favorite cut from the LP, with its irresistible vocoded hook and vocals from Panda Bear of Animal Collective fame.

49. If So – Atlas Genius

-Atlas Genius put together quite a surprising debut record early this year, filled with fun and upbeat electro tinged alt rock tracks, with If So being the biggest standout in my opinion. Big synths and bright vocals make for a great feel good track.

48. Mirrors | Justin Timberlake

-One of the biggest names in pop returned this year, dropping 2 hit or miss records in only 6 months. But “Mirrors” is easily recognizable as the best track from either LP, with its heartfelt lyrical content, delicate production, and perfectly pitched vocals. You might want to stick with the radio edit though.

47. Supersoaker | Kings of Leon

-It’s a great thing to see the Followill’s back on track and having fun, as showcased in this summer blast that is “Supersoaker”. Perfect combination of guitars, bass, and a complete retro rock feel.

46. Simple Pleasures | Jake Bugg

-Speaking of retro rock…now we have Jake Bugg. He’s 19, writing his own songs, and making rock and roll music that has depth to it. Simple Pleasures stands out so much to me because of it’s relatable and smart lyrics, and it’s wonderful guitar melodies.

45. Do I Wanna Know? | Arctic Monkeys

-I’ve got a shiver down my spine just thinking about this track! That guitar! That bass! So…dark. Edgy. Sinister. Sexy. Don’t miss this jam from the UK rockers.

44. Ode To Sleep | Twenty One Pilots

21 Pilots have established themselves as one of the best new acts out there, with this cut being living proof. The ability the duo has to seamlessly switch moods back and forth throughout this track is incredidble. Singing,rapping, whatever you want,it’s got it.

43. Shadow Moses | Bring Me The Horizon

-The metalcore titans opted for a more experimental approach with their new album Sempiternal,and the results were pretty incredible. I’d never been into this band up until now, but Shadow Moses combines a little of everything into one. Harsh and angry screams from Olli Sykes, hard guitars, and a little bit of electronic flare make for a huge anthemic track.

42. Spiderhead | Cage The Elephant

-What better way to lead off an album than with this track, which sees things get much brighter in a musical sense for this rock band. I’ve got to praise it’s catchiness and old school flare, and that electronic break that really shifts gears and helps close out the song.

41. Love and Drugs | The Maine

-Much of the Maine’s new album was very forgettable, but Love and Drugs was definitely an exception. The Maine really have gone for more straight up rock sound as of late and this is one of the times where it really pays off.

40. I Hope You Suffer | AFI

-THEY CHANGED! THEY USED TO BE SO GOOD! Just a few of the comments I heard whenever AFI dropped “I Hope You Suffer”, the first single from BURIALS. Bands evolve,and in good ways a lot of the time. Here’s an example. This song is dark, distant, and angry. Davey’s vocals soar over Jade’s guitar perfectly. Check out the track if you still haven’t.

39. Up In The Air | Thirty Seconds To Mars

-It’s hard to listen to a mediocre album after such a great first single. I’m looking at you 30 Seconds To Mars. Electronic and rock music mesh together to form this power blast of a track, that sees lead singer Jared Leto, “up in the air,and fucked up on life”. If you love the band, this track should at least bring a smile to your face.

38. Hail To The King | Avenged Sevenfold

-The modern metal kings really showed us what they meant by “going for a more guitar driven sound” on this title track from their new record. Syn and Zacky never fail to impress me on guitar, and after hearing them perform live, it was a no brainer for this ending up on my top 50 list.

37. Pompeii | Bastille

-Pompeii is one of those tracks that grabs you on the first listen, and doesn’t let go. I hear this song all the time, and never tire of it. It’s got a big and adventurous feel to it, and it’s been a great soundtrack to a lot of the things I’ve done in 2013.

36. Demon Dance | Surfer Blood

-Even though this is more of a summer jam for me, I still find enjoyment from it in the offseason. Surf rock at it’s best, with catchy vocals and breezy guitar work, and of course, demons dancing.

35. Diane Young | Vampire Weekend

-Grab the wheel and keep a holdin it tight, the modern vampires are back in the city. They rode in on Diane Young, the first single, well the A side single, from their new LP. It’s quirky, fast paced, and beautiful on the ears. If you’re a Vampire Weekend fan, what are you waiting for? Hear it now!

34. Smooth Sailing | Queens of the Stone Age

-QOTSA really impressed me with their first album in 6 years, with Smooth Sailing being one of best cuts in my opinion. A choppy intro followed by a sarcastic and no fucks given groove remain present throughout this track as Josh Homme declares “I blow my load over the status quo”. Love it’s style, and the guitar work throughout.

33. The Light Behind Your Eyes | My Chemical Romance

-(sad face) This is the last time that MCR will ever appear on a year end list! Noooo! But who would’ve expected the band to make such an emotional and powerful track, that really cries for love and the words that long to be said to a loved one. Simple a beautiful track, that demands to be heard.

32. Purple Yellow Red & Blue | Portugal The Man

-The Evil Friends album…well we’ll get to that soon enough. All you need to know for now is that this a killer cut from the record that shines with lyrics that poke fun at mainstream celebrities, and keys that shimmer throughout. Can’t forget to mention that warped guitar solo at the end either.

31. One Way Trigger | The Strokes

-I was so caught off guard the first time I played this track, the first promo single from Comedown Machine. Turned out to be my favorite track on the album. Who would’ve guessed. Straight out of the mid 80’s, this track sees Julian take on falsetto vocals over a huge synth loop and a mix of guitar and bass.

30. Royals | Lorde

-I don’t think to much needs to be said about this chillwave pop tune. It’s an amazingly good song written by a teenager from New Zealand that calls herself Lorde and is smarter than the majority of her fellow stars.

29. Wrong Side of Heaven | Five Finger Death Punch

-You guys know I wasn’t a huge fan of either of the albums that FFDP released this year, but this track is a standout from the first volume. It reminds me a lot “Remember Everything” from American capitalist, an emotionally vulnerable track once again with great guitar work, and a nice depth about it.

28. Best Day of My Life – American Authors

-It’s hard not to feel like you’re walking on air when listening to this feel good pop rock song by up and coming band American Authors. I see nothing but success for these guys in the future, I highly suggest checking out their debut EP.

27. Maybe Tonight | The Summer Set

-Now HERE is a motivational song. Maybe TONIGHT we’ll start all over, like it’s the first day of our lives. The focus of the track is on the here and now, seizing the moments and never thinking of past failure as a reason to quit. Brian Dales’ voice only gets stronger over the years.

26. Dreaming | Smallpools

-Another track from and indie group that you might not know, but might want to. Dreaming is a synth and guitar powered jam that’s as cool as iced lemonade in the winter. You’re gonna be singing along and tapping your foot whether you want to or not.

25. Don’t Blink | Relient K

-A song with a good message,that doesn’t force things down your throat. That’s what Relient K has usually been all about. This track “Don’t Blink” got me incredibly stoked for the new record, which ultimately just sucked. No other way to put it. But you’d be a fool not to check out this upbeat pop rock jam if you enjoy this band’s past work.

24. Revenge Is A Dish Best Served | Reggie & The Full Effect

-Isn’t amazing what Kickstarter can do? That’s how Reggie revived this project that had been dormant for years, and I’m pleasantly surprised with some of the results. Reggie is having a lot of fun on this track, the lead single from his comeback record. Hard guitars, mid 2000’s sounding synths, and hilarious lyrics make for an awesome combo here on this one

23. Still Into You | Paramore

-This track probably would have been a lot higher up on my list had I not heard it a million times on the radio, tv, online, etc. But it’s still a wonderful and catchy song that’s got some of catchiest guitar riffs of the year. It also proves that Paramore aren’t going away any time soon.

22. Hurricane | MS MR

-Talk about a slow grower. I checked this song out on 3 separate occasions throughout the year and it wasn’t until the 3^rd listen that it really started to click with me. The track really paints a dark portrait as it speaks of a love that isn’t understood, or rather someone who doesn’t understand what the other sees in them.

21. Lion | Hollywood Undead

-Hollywood Undead returned in solid form with their new LP Notes From the Underground, with this hard rock/rap track that really shows desperate emotion as Johnny 3 Tears of the group takes the verses on this passionate track.

20. Rap God | Eminem

-Eminem proves that he’s still got it, there’s not much else to say here. Amazing pace, incredible flow that never drops off, you won’t even notice that this song is 6 minutes long.

19. My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark | Fall Out Boy

-The comeback single of the year ladies and gentlemen. This anthem lit it’s way up the charts and in the hearts of fans. Another one of those tracks that only Fall Out Boy could make, and one that I never tire of hearing.

18. It’s About Time | Young The Giant

-Who would’ve expected this group to come back with such a gritty rock sound? It’s been over 3 years since the initial release of Young The Giant’s debut self titled record, and this song hit home with me more and more with repeated listens. Love the lyrical content and the overall rock vibe of this one.

17. Bitter Rivals | Sleigh Bells

-Sleigh Bells are back on track. Noise pop, bright and loud melodies, with hard guitars. This is everything I could dream to hear from the duo, who turned out a very impressive album this fall.

16. A Stillness | The Naked and Famous

-Even though the New Zealand indie rock group really disappointed me with “In Rolling Waves”, this track was a huge exception. Led by an acoustic guitar and great buildup and sense of suspense, this song fires its cannons late, but powerfully. This track gets HUGE as the synths and guitars swirl into a huge pile of noise and musical ecstasy.

15. End Of Me | A Day to Remember

-Talk about a hard hitter. This song is one that I truly connect with and can easily relate to. “You know me all too well,and I can’t suppress the memories”. A Day To Remember always hit the nail on the head, this being my favorite from Common Courtesy.

14. Tennis Court | Lorde

-Royals isn’t your favorite Lorde track?! Oh My GOD Becky,look at his list. Simplistic production, crafty lyrics, and a big smart ass attitude infiltrate one of the best tracks of this year.

13. This Ladder Is Ours | The Joy Formidable

-One of the first songs that I fell in love with this year. Supercharged guitars power this cut from the Welsh rockers latest album “Wolfs Law”.

12. Elephant | Tame Impala

-But Jon,this song came out in 2012! Awesome! It didn’t hit radio until 2013. Just saying. This song reminds me a lot of a band I used to follow called Living Things, and it’s great. Fuzzed out rock and roll with a long and mesmerizing guitar and synth break.

11. Sweatpants | Childish Gambino

-It hasn’t been around long, but this track from Gambino’s “Because the Internet” immediately clicked with me. Smart lyrics, a beat that immediately catches the ears, and a fast flow that showcases why Doanld Glover is one of the best in the game.

10. This Is Gospel | Panic! At The Disco

-Love at first sight? Me and This Is Gospel. If you love me,let me go! Brenden Urie cries over big guitars and punching drums. Easily the best track from Too Weird To Live Too Rare To Die.

9. My God Is The Sun | Queens of the Stone Age

-I don’t understand why a handful of fans were so underwhelmed by this track. I still rock out to this tune a weekly basis! Huge chorus, amazing guitars, it’s the best straight up rock song of the year

8. Creep In A T-Shirt | Portugal The Man

-I’d never been a huge fan of Portugal the man until this year. The first time listening to their new record, this track instantly jumped out at me as a winner. I love the keys, the vocals, and absolutely everything about this track. The whole album is a winner, but this is one you really shouldn’t miss.

7. Chocolate | The 1975

-Fun and catchy British alt rock. Take it all in and enjoy. Good luck getting this one out of your head, mainly because you won’t want it gone.

6. Let Go | RAC / Kele / MDNR

-Alt Nation surprised me one night with this track. I was riding home with a friend and couldn’t turn it up loud, but you better believe I made a note in my phone of the song’s name and artist. Possibly the most simple yet catchy guitar line of the year, with guest male and female vocals give a really nice perspective to this track.

5. Shepherd of Fire | Avenged Sevenfold

4. Sweater Weather | The Neighbourhood

3. Counting Stars | OneRepublic

2. Changing of the Seasons | Two Door Cinema Club

1. The Mother We Share | CHVRCHES

Album Review TV TOP 15 ALBUMS 2012

2012-12-21T18:06:00.000-08:00

15. "Threads" - Now,Now
14. "Aloha Moon" - Magic Wands
13. "All American" - Hoodie Allen
12. "Southern Air" - Yellowcard"
11. "Some Nights" - Fun.
10. "The 2nd Law" - Muse
9. "TRE!" - Green Day
8. "Blunderbuss" - Jack White
7. "Days Go By" - The Offspring"
6. "The Midsummer Station" - Owl City
5. "DOS!" - Green Day
4. "El Camino" - The Black Keys
3. "UNO!" - Green Day
2. "Living Things" - Linkin Park
1. "Don't Panic" - All Time Low

Top 50 Songs of 2012 (Album Review TV)

2012-12-04T19:42:00.000-08:00

1 For Baltimore - All Time Low
2 Anna Sun - Walk The Moon
3 Sixteen Saltines - Jack White
4 No Interruption - Hoodie Allen
5 Let Yourself Go - Green Day
6 Lost In The Echo - Linkin Park
7 Madness - Muse
8 Metropolis - Owl City
9 Dirty Rotten Bastards - Green Day
10 Don't You Worry Child - Swedish House Mafia
11 Radioactive - Imagine Dragons
12 Midnight City - M83
13 Burn It Down - Linkin Park
14 We Come Running - Youngblood Hawke
15 Comeback Kid - Sleigh Bells
16 Nuclear Family - Green Day
17 Thrift Shop - Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis
18 The Irony of Choking on a Lifesaver - All Time Low
19 Greyhound - Swedish House Mafia
20 Thanks To You - All Time Low
21 King For A Day - Pierce The Veil
22 Someday's Gone - The All American Rejects
23 Clique- Kanye West, Jay Z, Big Sean
24 Stray Heart - Green Day
25 Little Black Submarines - The Black Keys
26 Lies Greed Misery - Linkin Park
27 Blue Jeans - Lana Del Rey
28 Damage I've Done - Anarbor
29 The Way It Was - The Killers
30 Some Nights - Fun.
31 Bangarang! - Skrillex (ft. Sirah)
32 Runaways - The Killers
33 Kids In The Street - The All American Rejects
34 Roads Untraveled - Linkin Park
35 Thinkin Bout You - Frank Ocean
36 Bonfire - Childish Gambino
37 Lisa Baby - Walk The Moon
38 Filth Friends Unite - I See Stars
39 Amy - Green Day
40 Change - Churchill
41 Fire Fire - Flyleaf
42 Wasted Days - Cloud Nothings
43 Slim Pickens Does The Right Thing - The Offspring
44 Myth - Beach House
45 I Come Alive - The Used
46 The Only Place - Best Coast
47 Expectations - Three Days Grace
48 The Loop Closes - How To Destroy Angels
49 Sweet Sour - Band of Skulls
50 The Revolution - For The Foxes

All Time Low "For Baltimore" TRACK REVIEW

2012-08-24T09:42:00.003-07:00

All Time Low is BACK. For real this time.

Let's be honest. 2011's "Dirty Work" was a letdown. It really didn't capture the band's talent at all. The lyrics were quite generic and the whole sound was different from what fans had come to know and love them for.

Forget that. It wasn't entirely their fault. They had a ton of major label pressure from Interscope. But now their back where they belong (Hopeless records) and sound better than ever! Two songs have been released so far from the upcoming album "Don't Panic (set for an October release) and both sound like some of the best songs the band has ever written. Personally,I feel like they give off a 'Green Day-ish' vibe if you will. Lyrically in "Reckless" and musically, especially in the intro in "For Baltimore".

Now for a breakdown of "Baltimore". The song starts off with Alex's vocals being quietly delivered as a guitar is strummed, in the vein of Green Day, as I mentioned. Lyrically, the song deals with a guy who is trying to tell the girl he likes how much better life in the city and in general is when their together. It's probably my favorite song they've ever written, and you can tell that some thought was really poured into writing this song. They perfectly capture the spirit of desperation at times, as he tries to pour out his heart to this girl.

Musically, the song sounds like the right step forward after "Nothing Personal", so I will just take "Dirty Work" as an awkward bump in the All Time Low road. The guitars are stronger than ever, the vocals are wonderful and not autotuned to hell like they were at times on the last album, and they sound like their all on the same page when it came to making this song (and Reckless).

What do you guys think? You can stream the song over at Alternative Press now. Leave a comment below!

Rating: 5/5

-Jon (Album Review TV)

Muse "Madness" (TRACK REVIEW)

2012-08-20T12:47:00.002-07:00

Before I start this track review, go give the song a listen. http://youtu.be/Mq9zhpBweDk There's the link. Ok,you listened? Great. Let's continue.

Muse is,or um,was,a progressive/symphonic rock band that is known for releasing critically acclaimed albums since their debut album "Showbiz". Each album has it's own unique style, and sounds different, but has always retained the signature Muse style, which includes soaring falsettos and vocals from lead singer Matt Bellamy. Their last album "Resistance" was definitely their most different to date, and my least favorite, but it at least still had songs that I could say, "yeah,this is Muse music for sure" to.

Muse released an album trailer back in June for the new album "The 2nd Law" which will be released October 2nd of this year. The song from the album "Survival" was the theme song of the 2012 London Olympics, and honestly, I found the song extremely annoying and ridiculous. The song from the album trailer "The 2nd Law: Unsustainable" was released in full recently, along with a video for it. The song is mostly instrumental, with some of Bellamy's vocals soaring near the end of the song. The song starts off slow and symphonic with reports about the state of the world, but quickly breaks down into a dubstep sounding track, which I find to be absolutely absurd. Really? I thought to myself. The whole album better not sound like this,I continued.

But then we get to August 20th, the official release date for the next official single from the album "Madness". I excitedly click on the link to the lyric video on YouTube, my expectations clearly far too high for the song. Sadly,that is. The song starts off with a loop of Bellamy singing "M-m-m-m-mad" which annoyingly loops throughout most of the song. There's an electronic/dubstep sounding beat that repetitively plays in the background. I think to myself "where are the instruments? Clearly this band has musical talent and have proven that they can play the guitar, drums, and ESPECIALLY, the bass. Why are they putting out a slow paced song like this as a single?". And I'm still confused by this. Granted, I like the ending half of the song better than the first, but still, its only mildly entertaining to listen to. Bellamy's vocals sound nice at times, but at times, they lack energy and passion of previous releases. My favorite part of the track is undoubtedly the surprise guitar solo. Although short, its a catchy and nice addition to the single. And the harmonies are very rich and sound great at times.

Overall, I'm somewhat disappointed in the band's choices musically, and my hopes for "The 2nd Law" are up in the air. There's such a thing as growing and maturing musically in a good way, but then there's something called "trying to stay relevant" which causes the band to just sound generic.

3/5

-Jon

Up All Night Is An Overused Name.

2012-04-25T18:56:00.000-07:00

Ok, this is just a short post to point out something I've noticed in music. Everyone seems to want to call their song or album "Up All Night". And most of the time, thesong or album has nothing to do with being up all night! What gives?

First there's Hinder's song "Up All Night". Then country artists Kip Moore's album called "Up All Night", which came out just weeks after boy band One Direction released their debut album "Up All Night". Really? Then there's Drake's song "Up All Night" from his "Thank Me Later" album, and of course the lead single from Blink-182's "Neighborhoods" called, you guessed it, "Up All Night".

If you search up all night on iTunes, it brings up 100's of results for albums and songs. There's at least 20 albums with that name, so I guess what I'm saying in my sort of 'rant' is, STOP NAMING YOUR FUCKING ALBUMS AND SONGS UP ALL NIGHT!!! ITS BEEN DONE WAY TOO MANY TIMES!

There's plenty of words out there,call it something else.

Keep it real - Jon,Album Review TV

Linkin Park "BURN IT DOWN" Track Review

2012-04-17T19:55:00.002-07:00

As many of you may already know, Linkin Park released their new single on April 16th titled "Burn It Down". It's the first single from their upcoming studio album "Living Things",due out June 26th.

You guys know if you read my BLOG POST that I had mixed feelings about Linkin Park's last LP "A Thousand Suns", mostly due to its inconsistency in pacing, and the fact that almost half of the tracks were instrumental or else had long instrumental parts, such as intros and outros.

"Burn It Down" takes the heavy electronic aspect that was found on ATS, while mixing it with the vocal style and lyrics found on Hybrid Theory and Meteora. Honestly, its my favorite song, and in the top 5 for 2012 so far. I don't know why I like it so much, probably mostly the rap from Mike and Chester's vocal performance. In my opinion, the band is at their best when Mike and Chester are backing each other up on vocals and trading off verses. The electronic aspect sounds awesome, the only thing I would change about the track is the lack of guitar. I would love to hear some hard guitars mixed in with the electronics, some screaming from Chester, and maybe even some turntable action. Then we'd be talking perfection, just like on Meteora.

What does everyone else think of the song? I will be reviewing both Meteora and Hybrid Theory soon on Youtube.com/AlbumReviewTV along with the new album "Living Things" of course. Thanks for reading.

Song rating: 4.75/5

#NowPlaying 4/16/12

2012-04-16T19:53:00.000-07:00

Time to spill the beans on what I've been listening to lately. Couple of great brand new songs as well,lets do this!!

First up is the BRAND NEW Linkin Park single from their upcoming album "Living Things" due out 6/26. The song is called "Burn It Down", and I love it! The lyrics feel much more like their older work, while combining in the electronic sound they found on "A Thousand Suns". Everything about the song is really great, and honestly I can't stop listening to it. The overall sound and feel is great, I love the lyrics, and Mike's rap verse is perfect. Chester kills it on vocals as always, and it sounds like the new album is gonna be much better than ATS!
RATING:5/5

Neon Trees just released their new album "Picture Show", and while I have mixed feelings about the album as a whole, their are some good tracks on it! My pick for the week is "I Am The DJ". Its chorus is super catchy, and the song is well written.
RATING: 4.5/5

Jack White is also about to release an album called "Blunderbuss". It's his first solo album, and my pick for the week from this is the song "Sixteen Saltines". This supercharged garage rock jam is the best on the album, and the most White Stripes sounding. The lyrics are random and crazy, and the fast pace and guitar heavy song drives home one of the best songs of White's career.
RATING: 5/5

The brand new Maroon 5 single "Payphone" (feat. Wiz Khalifa) was just released as the lead single off of the upcoming album also due out June 26. I love this song, even though the band has adopted a shamelessly poppy sound, in order to guarantee record sales. Sadly, that seems to be what the band is focused on (selling records and singles and doing whatever they can to achieve these sales). In order to get the big commercial response they want, they added in a rap verse from Wiz, in what is definitely and unneeded addition to an already good song. I like the song as a whole minus the rap verse, and Levine's vocal performance is wonderful as usual. This single is sure to keep the band in the mainstream.
RATING: 4.5/5

"Strange Attractor" by Animal Kingdom is up next on the list. I came across it while browsing music on YouTube. The band, in this song at least, remind me of the vibe I get while Listening to one of my favorite bands The Naked and Famous, while at the same time, being totally different. This jam is mellow at times, with an awesome chorus full of reverb. Look for this band to shoot up to indie stardom.
RATING: 4.75/5

Speaking of indie bands, I recently saw an awesome one called Now,Now in concert. They opened for TNAF, and I even got to hang out with them a little but after the show. Their sound really captured my attention, with their guitar breakdowns and distinct bass grooves. My song for the week by them is "Prehistoric", which is in my opinion, the best on the album. The lyrics, as are the ones on all of the albums tracks, are open and honest.
RATING: 4.75/5

Jason Mraz is about to release his new album "Love Is A 4 Letter Word", and the album was preceded by a few singles. My favorite out of the singles is "Everything Is Sound". The song is incredibly upbeat and positive, and will almost certainly lift your spirits! In my opinion, its his best since his huge hit "I'm Yours". Could be a big summer hit.
RATING: 4.5/5

My last pick for this time is the song that is possibly my favorite of 2012 so far. Its called "No Interruption" by indie rapper Hoodie Allen. His flow on this track is impeccable, and the lyrics are very smart and carefully crafted. The bass is shaking, the beat is bouncing, theres nothing not to love about this song. Be sure to check out his new EP called "All American".

Until next time guys...rock on? Or something like that.

-Jon of Album Review TV.

Hoodie Allen - "All American" (ALBUM REVIEW)

2012-04-11T20:42:00.001-07:00

Hey guys,I haven't done a review on my blog in a little while,so here we go!

Hoodie Allen, aka Steven Markowitz, (yeah,he was raised Jewish), is undeniably growing his credibility and popularity as a hip hop artist. Hoodie has released 3 mixtapes, and 2 EP's so far as an unsigned artist. And the EP I'm reviewing today (which could have been released as a full length in my opinion) is his best work to date.

On this EP, Hoodie decided to stop using borrowed beats and samples, and created his own beats from scratch with his producer.The former Google employee pulls out all the bells and whistles on this album, with production and lyricism. The rhymes are smart and witty, and his singing skills are showcased on the EP as well. The reason Hoodie is a gamechanger is because he doesn't rap and sing about what everyone else does constantly. Sure, he could probably right 50 songs about smoking weed,partying,and banging every girl because he's famous, but he doesn't. He writes tracks about things that actually happen in real life, things that most people go through.

His music is easily accessible, fun at times, and honest. Like I said, the smart lyrics are what really drew me into Hoodie's music. That,and his use of piano and keyboard in alot of his songs. The chorus on "No Faith In Brooklyn" and "High Again" are truly incredible.Plus there's alot of nicely inserted pop culture references in the songs (such as mentions of Lana Del Rey, Kourtney Kardashian, and an allusion to Mac Miller)

Ok,so what are the best tracks on the album? (I know that's what your thinking,don't lie) I heard the EP's single "No Interruption" first, and to this day it still amazes me when I hear it. Its the best song of 2012 so far in my opinion. The lyrics are truly amazing, and the production and booming bass simply add to the wonderful spirit of this track, which is truly the best on the album. So many lyrics from that track I want to quote,but I'll stop myself. Other favorites are "No Faith In Brooklyn", "Eighteen Cool", "Lucky Man", and "Top of the World".

But honestly,you need to listen to the whole EP to get the full feeling that Hoodie is sending out. Please guys,check this out,some of his mextapes are available for free! I'll even put a link to download "Leap Year" for free at the bottom of this post.

I love this EP guys,and this is coming from a guy who isn't a big fan of rap or hip-hop. Hoodie Allen has made me realize that this genre can still have credibility, when it comes to lyrics. What do you guys think? Heard it? Like it? Let me know. I'll be doing a video review on YouTube.com/AlbumReviewTV very soon, stay tuned. Thanks for reading.

Overall Rating: 4.9/5

-Jon

Link to download Leap Year Free: http://youtu.be/-mKejQ4oNAI (Click the link in the video description and the download will start)

REVIEW ARCHIVE

2012-04-01T11:37:00.001-07:00

Hello viewers and readers. This is the post where I will archive all of the overall ratings for albums I have reviewed, including some I never even made a post for. The posts will go as follows: Artist followed by name of album followed by rating. I will start by going through my album review channel and posting all the updated ratings for all albums i have reviewed on there.

Three Days Grace - Life Starts Now - 4.25/5

Justin Bieber - My World 2.0 - 2.5/5

3OH!3 - Streets of Gold - 4/5

Weezer - Hurley - 3.75/5

Taylor Swift - Speak Now - 5/5

My Chemical Romance - Danger Days: True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys - 5/5

Cage the Elephant - Thank You, Happy Birthday - 4.25/5

Rise Against - Endgame - 3.5/5

The Strokes - Angles - 4.3/5

Panic! At the Disco - Vices & Virtues - 4.6/5

Green Day - Awesome As Fuck - 4.5/5

Hollywood Undead - American Tragedy - 4.7/5

Foo Fighters - Wasting Light - 5/5

Sum 41 - Screaming Bloody Murder - 4/5

Yellowcard - When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes - 4.9/5

The Lonely Island - Turtleneck & Chain - 4.8/5

Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math - 4.7/5

Seether - Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray - 4.9/5

All Time Low - Dirty Work - 2.7/5

Owl City - All Things Bright and Beautiful - 4.8/5

Simple Plan - Get Your Heart On! - 4.5/5

Taking Back Sunday - Self Titled - 4.8/5

There For Tomorrow - The Verge - 3.8/5

Falling In Reverse - The Drug In Me You - 4.6/5

Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You - 3.75/5

Cobra Starship - Night Shades - 3/5

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Am I The Enemy - 4.3/5

Blink-182 - Neighborhoods - 4.9/5

Lil Wayne - Tha Carter IV - 3.8/5

Switchfoot - Vice Verses - 3.7/5

New Found Glory - Radiosurgery - 4/5

MUTEMATH - Odd Soul - 4.6/5

Patrick Stump - Soul Punk - 3.2/5

Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto - 3.5/5

Angels & Airwaves - Love Part I - 4.7/5

Angels & Airwaves - Love Part II - 3.75/5

Gym Class Heroes - The Papercut Chronicles II - 3.3/5

Nickelback - Here and Now - 3.5/5

Punk Goes Pop Volume 4 - 4/5

Hot Chelle Rae - Whatever - 3.7/5

The Naked and Famous - Passive Me, Aggressive You - 5/5

The Killers - RED Christmas EP - 3.1/5

The Black Keys - El Camino - 5/5

Korn - The Path of Totality - 2.75/5

VersaEmerge - Fixed at Zero - 4/5

The Maine - Pioneer - 4/5

Ballyhoo! - Daydreams - 4.8/5

Skrillex - Bangarang EP - 4.5/5

Punchline - So Nice To Meet You EP - 4/5

Enter Shikari - A Flash Flood of Color - 4.5/5

Good Charlotte - Cardiology - 4.8/5

Blink-182 - Take Off Your Pants and Jacket - 4.9/5

Tonight Alive - What Are You So Scared Of? - 3.75/5

Down With Webster - Time To Win Volume I - 4.5/5

Down With Webster - Time To Win Volume II - 4.1/5

The Fray - Scars & Stories - 3.8/5

Green Day - American Idiot - 5/5

Switchfoot - The Beautiful Letdown - 5/5

Sleigh Bells - Treats - 5/5

Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror - 1.75/5

Fun. - Some Nights - 4.3/5

Of Monsters and Men - Into the Woods EP - 4.25/5

Paramore - Brand New Eyes - 4.8/5

Lacuna Coil - Dark Adrenaline - 4.25/5

Sleeper Agent - Celebrasion - 4.3/5

I See Stars - Digital Renegade - 3.75/5

The All-American Rejects - Move Along - 5/5

The All-American Rejects - Kids In The Street - 3.8/5

Shinedown - Amaryllis - 4.5/5

The Used - Vulnerable - 4.8/5

Taking Back Sunday - Louder Now - 5/5

MXPX - Plans Within Plans - 3.75/5

Best Coast - Crazy For You - 4.25/5

Gotye - Making Mirrors - 4.7/5

Now,Now - Threads - 4.5/5

Hoodie Allen - All American - 4.9/5

The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan - 5/5

Linkin Park - Meteora - 5/5

Neon Trees - Picture Show - 3.25/5

Hollywood Undead - Swan Songs - 5/5

Jack White - Blunderbuss - 4.25/5

B.o.B - Strange Clouds - 4/5

Escape the Fate - Self Titled - 5/5

Silversun Pickups - Neck of the Woods - 4.3/5

Halestorm - The Strange Case Of... - 4.7/5

Owl City - Shooting Star EP - 3/5

Owl City - All Things Bright and Beautiful (reissue) 5/5

John Mayer - Born and Raised - 4/5

Matt Skiba and the Sekrets - Babylon - 3.8/5

Magic Wands - Aloha Moon - 4.8/5

Of Monsters and Men - My Head is An Animal - 4.3/5

Breathe Carolina - Hello Fascination - 5/5

Little Hurricane - Homewrecker - 4.5/5

Linkin Park - LIVING THINGS - 5/5

The Offspring - Days Go By - 5/5

Celldweller - Wish Upon a Blackstar - 4.7/5

Walk the Moon - Self Titled - 4/5

Imagine Dragons - Continued Silence EP - 3.8/5

Foster the People - Torches - 4.2/5

Owl City - Maybe I'm Dreaming - 5/5

The Killers - Hot Fuss - 4.7/5

The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten - 3.5/5

Blink 182 - Enema of the State - 5/5

Nirvana - Nevermind - 5/5

Yellowcard - Southern Air - 4.5/5

Owl City - The Midsummer Station - 4.5/5

Youngblood Hawke - EP - 4/5

Muse - Origin of Symmetry - 5/5

Bloc Party - Four - 4/5

Purity Ring - Shrines - 4/5

Imagine Dragons - Night Visions - 3.5/5

Billy Talent - Dead Silence - 3.5/5

The Killers - Battle Born - 3.5/5

Green Day - Uno! - 5/5

Mumford and Sons - Babel - 4/5

Muse - The 2nd Law - 4.5/5

Three Days Grace - Transit of Venus - 4/5

Papa Roach - The Connection - 3/5

All Time Low - Don't Panic - 5/5

Ellie Goulding - Halcyon - 3.5/5

I See Stars "Digital Renegade" Track-by-Track Review

2012-03-12T21:54:00.005-07:00

Hey guys, this is my track by track review for the new I See Stars album "Digital Renegade". It comes out today, March 13,2012. Go check it out and decide for yourself what you think, because this of course is my OPINION and nothing else. Keep in mind I'm not a huge fan of hardcore or scream music, although ISS are one of my favorite hard groups.

GNARS ATTACKS: Opens with a chant,followed by screamed vocals (which a re very prominent on this album. Goes into a weird techno breakdown as the vocals "keep friends close enemies closer" is repeated. The pacing at the end along with the music near the end seems like its building up to an epic breakdown,but ultimately just ends the song by slowly fading out.

NZT48: Starts by fading in,and then immediately jumps into the screams,jumpstarted by the line "we are surrounded by harlots" By the 45 second mark the song starts building up and successfully crashes into the chorus. Cliche line is used "Some men just want to watch the world burn" just before a guitar breakdown,thats nothing out of the ordinary. Overall,the song's strongest points are its intro and chorus.

DIGITAL RENEGADE: By this point in the album,I'm looking for something to separate this song from the 2 tracks I've already heard,and it doesn't do much to give itself its own identity. Expected more from the title track I guess. The guitar work is already starting to bore me at this point,as its getting repetitive and the breakdowns aren't anything special at all.

ENDLESS SKY: Opens up with harsh screams,but quickly switches to clean vocals. I'm seeing by this point in the album that the focus of the album is war, rising up, and taking over something. What? I'm not quite sure. But their doing this "takeover" in a mediocre way. It features Danny from Asking Alexandria, but was it really a necessary guest spot on the album? No. They already have a screamer. It feels like it was done to generate more interest in the album, since AA have been more successful than ISS so far.

UNDERNEATH EVERY SMILE: Starts off like something off of 3D. Has a bit different pacing to it, which is a welcome change. Interesting guitar work in the middle of the song before the phrase "its coming back around" starts being chanted. The song ends with that same phrase being repeated.

MYSTERY WALL: Hard guitar riff driven, and the song is driven by the screamed vocals, with the chorus being one of the better ones on the album up to this point. Heads into a sort of synth breakdown at the 2:20 mark, which is actually pretty cool.

I-BELIEVE: Slow buildup,quiet vocals,which start to pick up a little bit. I like the distorted vocals then get mixed and mashed on this song. Gives off a cool sound. Rather short song, no screamed vocals on this song. Its different,but its also not that appealing or exciting.

SUMMER DIED IN CONNERSVILLE: At this point in the album, I'm getting tired. Tired of listening that is. The song changes pace at the 1:40 and starts to get really interesting. The distorted and mixed and mashed vocals appear again and sound awesome. For some reason, that seems to make their songs so much better.

ELECTRIC FOREST: This song generates a lot of excitement for me, I'm a big fan of featured artist Cassadee Pope (I've met her,she's awesome). I like the totally different sound this song gives off. I like how the vocals are handed off to Cass so gently, which makes it almost an unnoticeable change until she really starts showing off her vocals. The harmonies fit perfectly, and overall its one of the most solid songs on the record. The song is about leaning to let mistakes go, and its a good message and something everyone should learn to do.

FILTH FRIENDS UNITE: I've been jamming to this track since it was released in January. The intro is one of the best things I've heard in a long time. The whole song is just epic. Thats why my hopes for the entire album were so high. The track soars so far above the rest of the album,its really not even fair. The use of keyboards and synths and distorted guitars mix with the attacking screamed vocals so well. The whole track flows so well and changes pace several times, very smoothly though. The chorus is as strong as the rest of the song. The song builds up again and breaks down again, as the drums pound in the background. This song has some of the best lyrics on the album in my opinion. I am a bit confused as to why this track, which is such a "get pumped up and crazy" song, is the closing track for the album. I would haver opened with it, or at least put it second after an intro or something. Best song on the album hands down.

Anyways, overall, the album lacks originality, although it is a huge improvement over the bands last album that strayed way too far from their roots. The album is reminiscent of 3D, too much in my opinion, which is what keeps it from succeeding and being something great.

RATING: 3.25 / 5

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