Releases For The Week of June 9th

A Blast From the Past:

      This week there are 3 main releases I'd like to talk about are Imogen Heap's Sparks, Ice T's Manslaughter, and Jack White's Lazaretto. Sparks will be the Imogen Heap's 4th studio album release and is out on June 10th. Imogen Heap found tons of success with the song Hide and Seek in 2005, could this album be the one where she hits her stride again. Next is everybody's favorite Law and Order: SVU  character Ice T and Manslaughter also on the 10th. This will be his 7th studio release with much of his success coming in the late 80s early 90s does this Ice T still have it or should he stick to TV. Last but absolutely not least Jack White and Lazaretto also on the 10th. After seeing Jack White at the very beginning of the month and hearing some of these tracks live I have great expectations for this album. So far he has released 3 solid singles High Ball Stepper, Lazaretto, and Just One Drink. It easy to say that this will be Jack Whites Bluesiest album yet. 

Jack White - Lazaretto

The Monday Mix: Foster The People - Houdini (RAC Remix)

Monday Mix: The Talent of RAC

    This track was the first remix by RAC that really showed me the talent possessed by Andre Allen Anjos. Houdini was the 5th single released off of Foster The People's debut album Torches. A fantastic song to begin with it's intricate layer of sounds, smooth beat, and catchy lyrics. Then put it in the hands of RAC and you have a completely different song. It's almost like he took every sound from the intro and polished and refined it. Whats great about this remix also is that almost all the lyrics have been left in, as opposed to some artist that may only keep the main hook or verse. If you really dig this song and want more of RAC or Foster The People no need to worry as both artist have released new full length albums this year. Foster The People with the March release of their second album Supermdel and then RAC with the April release of Strangrangers.   

Foster The People - Houdini (RAC)

Album Review: Disgraceland by The Orwells

A Not So Disgraceful Start:

      Fast, loud, and in your face would be the perfect way to describe the Chicago based rock group The Orwells. Disgraceland is the groups second album but is the first professionally recorded album; their debut album Remember When was recorded in lead guitarists Dominic Corsos basement. Comparing this current album to the first you can see the serious leaps and bounds made between each and with the production quality of the album it's self. 

   
     The big problem that I have noticed in looking at other reviews for this album is that people aren't looking at the music and are just looking at The Orwells themselves. Many reviewers have written off and passed up on this band just because of the fact that most of the bands members graduated high school this year. Just because these guys are young and have a front man that is a tad eccentric doesn't mean that they can't make good music.

      In the vein of their first album and two EP's the bands sound has stayed the same, in your face old fashioned "snot rock".  The album is 11 songs long but only has a run time of about 35 minutes and is over before you even know it. The first track Southern Commfort is a perfect tone setter for the album showcasing exactly what these guys are about, girls, booze, and other degenerate pass times. The album really hits it's stride after the track Dirty Sheets and you can really start to just feel the music. The highlight of the album would definitely have to be the debut single from the album Who Needs You, when this track kicks in you can just hear the complete unison and cohesiveness amongst the group. The only negative aspect that I can really find in the album is that it's over almost a little too quickly and that some tracks get a tad repetitive. I'd have to give this album an 8 out of 10 and look forward to future releases. 

      All in all I feel like The Orwells will definitely not be a group to sleep on and we can surely expect great things from the group. In this resurgent wave of punk rock bands The Orwells are definitely at the front of the line leading the charge. So if you're in a mood to just crank up the volume and simply just thrash look no further than Disgraceland by The Orwells.  

Disgraceland by The Orwells (Digital Download)

The Orwells - "Who Needs You"

Track of The Day 6/4

Ultraviolence by Lana Del Rey

     The track that I chose to feature for today is Lana Del Rey's Ultraviolence. This is the title track off of her third studio album and also the third single released from her upcoming album. What you have here is your stereo typical Lana Del Rey song a great big overture to start then followed up with Lana's soothing voice stacked on top of it's self. In her debut LP you could really here the the influence of the 50's in her voice, but with these newer releases you can feel a real transition to an almost 70's style. The lyrics seem to just effortlessly flow from her and then hang in the air. Of coarse in typical Lana fashion there is a very strong sexual vibe from the start to the finish. So far from what we have heard and seen from the talented beauty that is Lana Del Rey it is safe to say that we can expect some very, very good things from Ultraviolence which drops on June 17th. On a slight side note one thing that I truly hope to see from Lana Del Rey in the future is that she gets to do a James Bond opening credits track on account her voice is simply perfect for it.

Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence (Audio)

The Monday Mix: Lorde - Tennis Courts (Flume Remix)

The Monday Mix: Lorde - Tennis Court (Flume Remix)

(Flume)

     What we have here is an example of what happens when a remarkable DJ ,Harley Edward Streten,  gets his hands on one of Lorde's most popular singles.  Tennis Court is already a good song to begin with, with it's catchy lyrics and soothing beat then add in Flume to the equation with his unique style and you have this fantastic work of art. It takes almost a minute before you even recognize that the song you're hearing is Tennis Court. So if you're looking for a great remix for your monday I highly encourage Flume's remix of Lorde's Tennis Court.

(Lorde)

  

Throwback Thursday: Stacy's Mom - Fountains of Wayne

An Ode to The Adolescent Boy:      

   It's hard to come by someone who hasn't heard this 2003 jam let alone know all the words to it. This song was released as the lead single of the bands 3rd album. Stacy's Mom pays homage to every adolescent boy's fantasies of his friends mom. This song received relatively positive success cracking the top 25 on the US Top 100 Billboard Charts and was played on every radio station. You may ask what made a song about a boy fantasizing about a friends mom, well its a VERY catchy song with a chorus you will seem to know after the very first time hearing it. You may ask where Fountains of Wayne are today,well the band continues to make music releasing there last album in 2011, although they never found the same success as Stacy's Mom. 

     Where the song gained a lot of attention was in the incredibly sexual music video. Now that I'm older and have an attention span that can get past boobs I enjoy the video even more due to the fact of the references to The Fast Times at Ridgemont High. With such scenes as Stacy's mom exiting a pool in a red bikini in slow motion and then teased that she soon after removed, or even right after when the boy is walked in on by Stacy.

All in all this classic song is my Throwback Jam of the Week.

Fountains of Wayne - Stacy's Mom (Official Video)

Featured Artist of the Month: Royal Canoe

Featured Artist of the Month: Royal Canoe

Royal Canoe is a Canadian Rock Band from Winnipeg and Steinbach, Manitoba. Their debut album "Today We're Believers" was nominated for a Juno award in 2014. Royal Canoe has toured with artists such as Alt-J and most recently Bombay Bicycle Club. Their new album was released on September 3, 2013.

The album featured two singles "Today We're Believers" and "Bathtubs".

Royal Canoe - Bathtubs (Official Video)

Royal Canoe

Royal Canoe consists of 6 members Jo Snyder, Bucky Driedger, Brendan Berg, Matt Schellenberg, Matt Peters, Derek Allard, Michael Jordan. The band is formed from the members of The Waking Eyes and The Liptonions. Royal Canoe has a very infectious upbeat sound that changes from song to song. I was not sure entirely what to expect upon seeing them for the first time but I was surely not disappointed and was hooked by the end of the very first song.

Today We're Believers

1. Today We're Believers
2. Hold on to the Metal
3. Just Enough
4. Exodus
5. Bathtubs
6. Button Fumbla
7. Show Me Your Eyes
8. Birthday
9. Nightcrawlin
10. Stemming
11. Light
12. If I Had a House