Present 2012

Posted by audioblaster | 01:20 - 0 reacties

(14) Ian Hunter & The Rant Band - When I'm President (2012)

At the age of 72, Glam-rock icon Ian Hunter is now on his 20th solo album since Mott the Hoople threw in the sequin towel in 1974.

Don't read too much into the release of "When I'm President" just weeks prior to the 2012 U.S. Presidential election. This is by no means a protest record. Ian Hunter isn't nearly as angry as he was back in 2007, when he released the savagely funny Shrunken Heads, nor is he as reflective as he was on 2009's "Man Overboard". Perhaps inspired by the brief but glorious reunion of Mott the Hoople, Hunter indulges in good old-fashioned noise, grinding out three-chord boogies and occasionally slipping into a sweet reverie, the slower tunes letting the faster ones kick a bit harder. Backed once again by the Rant Band, the music is loose and earthy, easily swinging into a snippet of gospel at the end of "Wild Bunch" or quoting Jerry Lee Lewis on "What For," and it's a pure pleasure to hear them play whether they're luxuriating in a ballad or updating Chuck Berry, but once again, the key to When I'm President is Hunter's sharp, incisive songwriting. He may not go broad, but he does go deep, finding new twists within his sonic signatures and writing lyrics that cut to the quick. As always in Hunter's third act, there's an acknowledgment of his advancing age but he never dwells on it, never spends time making "When I'm President" into a last testament. It's a snapshot of where he is, and he's in a wickedly joyous mood.

Track listing

01. Comfortable (Flyin' Scottsman) (Ian Hunter) - 3:02

02. Fatally Flawed (Ian Hunter) - 5:03

03. When I'm President (Ian Hunter) - 4:21

04. What For (Ian Hunter) - 4:22

05. Black Tears (Ian Hunter) - 3:37

06. Saint (Ian Hunter, James Mastro) - 3:35

07. Just the Way You Look Tonight (Ian Hunter) - 3:34

08. Wild Bunch (Ian Hunter) - 3:54

09. Ta Shunka Witco (Crazy Horse) (Ian Hunter) - 5:47

10. I Don't Know What You Want (Ian Hunter, Jesse Hunter Patterson) - 3:47

11. Life (Ian Hunter) - 4:58

Release: September 4, 2012

Recorded at: A-Pawling Studios, Pawling, NY

Label: Slimstyle Records

Genre: Pop, Rock

Length: 46:00

Producer: Ian Hunter, Andy York

Gary Ljungquist: Assistant Engineer

Peter Moshay: Engineer, Mixing

Personnel

Ian Hunter - Guitar (Acoustic), Piano, Composer, Vocals, Handclapping

Rick Tedesco - Guitar (Electric), Soloist

James Mastro - Guitar, Dobro, Mandolin

Rant Band - Vocals

Jesse Hunter Patterson - Composer, Vocals

Christine Ohlman - Vocals, Vocals (Background), Girl's Choir, Screams

Paul Page - Bass

Mark Rivera - Flute, Saxophone

Andy York - Guitar, Harmonium, Tambourine, Vocals (Background), Handclapping, Mellotron, Dulcitone

Mark Bosch - Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Group Member

Andy Burton - Piano, Accordion, Keyboards, Clavinet, Bells, Vibraphone, Farfisa Organ, Wurlitzer, String Samples, Hammond B3

Steve Holley - Drums, Group Member, Shaker, Tambourine

Posted by audioblaster | 10:40 - 0 reacties

(13) The Tragically Hip - Now For Plan A (2012)

On October 2, 2012, Canadian rock veterans, The Tragically Hip released their latest album, "Now For Plan A". The album is the band’s 13th studio album in 29 years as a band, a tenure not many other bands can boast. Produced by Gavin Brown (Metric, Boys Like Girls, Three Days Grace) and featuring guest vocals by Sarah Harmer, the album offers all new music written by the band and set to the poetic and thought-provoking lyrics of lead singer, Gord Downie. Now for Plan A is the thirteenth studio album from the Kingston, Ontario quintet.

"Now For Plan A" brings the band back to their roots with a more gritty and edgy sound. However, that is not to say that the album throws away the softer overtones from 2009’s "We Are The Same". The Tragically Hip are able to find a happy medium with "Now For Plan A", as lead singer Gordon Downie combines the more polished vocals with his trademark edginess that he is known for. With 11 brand new songs, "Now For Plan A" looks to be a great success for The Tragically Hip. With the release of Now For Plan A, The Tragically Hip have scheduled a United States tour beginning November 2nd in Cleveland, OH.

Track listing

01. At Transformation (Gordon Downie) - 3:43

02. Man Machine Poem (Gordon Downie) - 3:52

03. The Lookahead (Gordon Downie) - 2:27

04. We Want to Be It (Gordon Downie) - 3:28

05. Streets Ahead (Gordon Downie) - 3:27

06. Now for Plan A (Gordon Downie) - 5:08

07. The Modern Spirit (Gordon Downie) - 3:22

08. About This Map (Gordon Downie) - 3:48

09. Take Forever (Gordon Downie) - 3:09

10. Done and Done (Gordon Downie) - 2:52

11. Goodnight Attawapiskat (Gordon Downie) - 4:06

Release: October 2, 2012

Label: MapleMusic

Genre: Pop, Rock

Length: 39:22

Producer: Gavin Brown

Personnel

Gordon Downie - Vocals

Paul Langlois - Guitar, Backing Vocals

Rob Baker - Guitar

Gord Sinclair - Bass - Backing Vocals

Johnny Fay - Drums

Posted by audioblaster | 12:19 - 0 reacties

(12) Paul Carrack - Good Feeling (2012)

12th solo studio album, "Good Feeling" album by Paul Carrack. 2012 album from the British Rock/Soul vocalist and former member of Ace, Squeeze and Mike & The Mechanics "Good Feeling" features new songs, a collaboration with Squeeze's Chris Difford, covers of Nick Lowe and Bruce Springsteen songs and much more. Internationally respected British vocalist, songwriter and record label owner Paul Carrack returns with the self-produced set on his Carrack UK label will delight his legions of fans with its typically classy blue-eyed soul sound.

The twelve tracks are a mixture of new songs and cover versions and include co-writes with Squeeze’s Chris Difford on the uplifting Marmalade Moon and the songwriter Charlie Dore on the tribute to his hero Ray Charles, I Can Hear Ray. There is also Nick Lowe’s From Now On, which contains one of Carrack’s favourite lines; “Gonna do my level best to keep my nose clean.” In true Carrack style, the first track, Good Feelin’ About It, has a summery, romantic, positive vibe. The light synth, accompanied by the horns which step in and out of the track as if they’re stepping over puddles makes for a real party feel. Carrack’s accessible and soothing lyrics of I’ve got a good feelin’ about it will have you singing or humming along and the track really does makes you have a good feeling about the rest of the album.

Bruce Springsteen’s If I Should Fall Behind also features, while Carrack’s vocal versatility is demonstrated on the jazz cover A Child Is Born. It is all very pleasant and safe, until the haunting Make It Right, which sees Carrack’s voice at its soulful best and is reminiscent of material recorded by former Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie. It was written by the Tinlin brothers, who have supported him on tour in recent years. More songs with that kind of edge would help but once again the self produced album, with Carrack playing most of the instruments, underlines why he is a talent that the UK should treasure. Another solid set of songs from the Sheffield singer then, and possibly his best since 1997’s "Beautiful Word".

Track listing

01. Good Feelin' About It - 3:14

02. Marmalade Moon - 3:24

03. Nothing Without You - 4:37

04. I Can Hear Ray - 3:57

05. Long Ago - 4:06

06. Make It Right - 3:57

07. If I Should Fall Behind - 4:35

08. From Now On 4:14

09. I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love - 4:10

10. Time to Move On - 4:10

11. When My Little Girl Is Smiling - 2:32

12. A Child Is Born - 2:40

Release: Oct 09, 2012

Label: Universal

Genre: Pop, Rock

Length: 45:36

Producer: Paul Carrack

Posted by audioblaster | 00:45 - 0 reacties

(11) Jimmie Van Zant – Feels Like Freedom (2012)

For "Feels Like Freedom" Van Zant has surrounded himself with the cream of Nashville session players and songwriters. It's a symbiotic and really well rounded combination where the singer stays true to his roots but enriched by new sounds. Perhaps Van Zant's biggest strength lies in his storytelling.

When addressing wanderlust and leaving the past in "Chasing Shadows" he puts himself in the first person. And the manner in which he shifts from tales of outlaw rockers to depictions of an alcohol-ravaged marriage shows empathic range. The song sequence has been cleverly chosen. Full-throttle rockers are interspersed with ballads and mid-tempo tunes with taste.

All are good and enjoyable, but title track "Feels Like Freedom" is a winner, an anthemic rocker full of energy and class playing. "Feels Like Freedom" is a really nice album of pure American rock. It's very well composed and crisply produced with superb musicians at service of the music, while Jimmie's strong performances infuses each song with heavy emotional weight.

Backing instruments include: electric guitars, bass guitars, acoustic guitars, drums, keyboards, steel guitar, fiddle, harmonica, banjo, & also it includes backing singers. All these backing musicians along with Jimmie's great "Van Zant" vocals, gives this album a rich, bold sound. The songs are full of great stories, and many are very inspirational. This is one great "Southern Rock/Country Rock" album.

Tracklist:

01. Chasing Shadows - 3:38

02. Ain’t Quite Mary Jane - 3:18

03. Wildest Branch - 3:21

04. When You Gonna Learn - 3:35

05. Feels Like Freedom - 4:17

06. That’ll Take You Back - 3:45

07. Southern Rock - 3:06

08. Unfinished Life - 3:37

09. Runaway Train - 3:28

10. Come On Man - 4:22

11. Stronger Stuff - 3:53

Release: July 3, 2012

Recorded at: "The Sound Kitchen Recording Studio", in Franklin, TN.

Label: CYA Records

Genre: Southern Rock

Length: 40:19

Producer: Kent Wells

Co-produced by: Jimmie Van Zant

Personnel

Jimmie Van Zant - vocals

Rob McNelly - electric guitar

Dave Daniels Camarda - electric guitar

Kent Wells - electric guitar, acoustic guitar

Steve Hinson - electric guitar, steel guitar, background vocals

Gary Smith - keyboards

Mike Brignardello - bass

Nick Buda - drums, percussion

Christine Winslow - background vocals

Posted by audioblaster | 10:09 - 0 reacties

(10) Dion - Tank Full of Blues (2012)

2012 album from the legendary Pop/Rock singer, songwriter and musical chameleon. A street poet and singer of extraordinary versatility, range and resonance, Dion defined Rock 'n' Roll for a generation. He is an artist who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Now Dion has returned to his deepest roots and influences to release his first Blues album with mostly original songs. His critically acclaimed 2007 Blues album Bronx In Blue was nominated for a Grammy. It is this latest album, however, that Dion considers the crown of his career. "Tank Full Of Blues" showcases his inexhaustible creativity and sheer exuberance, qualities that have made his music and his legend endure. Dion's never stopped making music, because people have never stopped listening. The man rocks, and he rocks on... with a tank full of blues in his heart. "Tank full" plays like an unpolished, yet sparkling gem from opening note to the close of the very personal "Bronx Poem". You'll hear a shout out to Robert Plant, a stunning homage to Robert Johnson, and a testament to Dion's appreciation of God. Sure, the last might not be for everyone, but like Dion the man, it's REAL.Along the way you'll hear some of the most naturally sung and well played blues and blues rock ever recorded (and penned or co- written) by a veteran performer.And you'll play it over and over again, because it's that kind of a record! Dion is secure enough to both headline a "Malt Shop Memories" cruise for his older (perhaps more set in their musical taste) fans, while still following his own musical passion and destiny. He gives his all TO all. Should the Bronx Bombers ever decide to add a musician to Monument Park, I nominate Dion DiMucci to be the one!

This CD written, sung and played by Dion is the ultimate summation of a gifted musician and singer who doesn't just sing the blues, but understands what makes it tick. His singing is as always great. His guitar playing is very impressive. Listen to his solid rhythms and solid leads and you know that his playing comes from years of experience and old school influences. He gets inside of his songs and as you listen to them you know for sure that they are not just songs in a blues style, these are blues songs in a Dion style. You know it's Dion from the voice and the fact that these songs are custom made for him, by him.

Track listing

01. Tank Full of Blues (Mike Aquilina, Dion DiMucci) - 4:14

02. I Read It (In the Rolling Stone) (Mike Aquilina, Dion DiMucci) - 3:56

03. Holly Brown (Dion DiMucchi) 3:34

04. Ride's Blues (For Robert Johnson) (Mike Aquilina, Dion DiMucci) - 4:41

05. Two Train (Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters) - 4:05

06. Do You Love Me Baby (John Mooney) - 3:48

07. You Keep Me Cryin' (Dion DiMucchi) - 4:23

08. My Michelle (Mike Aquilina, Dion DiMucci) - 3:51

09. My Baby's Cryin' (Dion DiMucchi) - 3:39

10. I'm Ready to Go (Mike Aquilina, Dion DiMucci) - 3:13

11. Bronx Poem (Dion DiMucchi) - 5:03

Release: January 24, 2012

Recorded at: Sounds Great Studios

Label: Blue Horizon

Genre: Blues, Rock

Length: 44:27

Producer: Dion DiMucchi

Personnel:

Dion DiMucci - vocals, guitar

Robert Guertin - drums, percussion

Posted by audioblaster | 01:22 - 0 reacties

(09) The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Meat and Bone (2012)

It's only fair to be wary of an album of new material from the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion; after all, it's been eight years.

"Meat And Bone" is a consolidation of sorts. Gone are the guest musicians and the roll call of impressive production talent. This is The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion in its purest form, three musicians grabbing the reigns and making music for themselves and by themselves. It’s also an affirmation as Meat And Bone returns to the core values of two guitars intertwining with each other and riffs push and pull in all manner of directions with beats so solid and precise that it beggars belief they were created by a human being. And, of course, Jon Spencer’s manic and howling delivery which is part-preacher, part-demented torment.

The wild, cross-genre experimentation of 2002's Plastic Fang and 2004's Damage have been left in the desert wilderness of nostalgia in favor of back-to-basics dirty ass rock & roll, warped blues, and fractured funk. Spencer's gone back behind the production desk and doesn't muck things up even when he gets (a little) adventurous. He keeps reverb and fuzz up front, the guitars at earschplittenloudenboomer, and the drums miked to 11, and he doesn't worry about much else. "Black Mold" roars out of the gate with the blasted, speaker-shredding riffing of yore. That said, it merely sets the tone for a journey that's sweaty, loud, and proud. "Bag of Bones" morphs the primal 1969 Rolling Stones and Licensed to Ill-era Beastie Boys with surprisingly effective results. "Boot Cut" you've heard before--it is a complete, shameless remake of "Bell Bottoms." it's the ebst cut here. "Get Your Pants Off" is guttersnipe funk that sounds like the Sonics playing James Brown. Things get loopy and whacked on "Bottle Baby," where power riffs, off-kilter rhythms, a lopsided bridge, shambolic, distorted production, and Spencer railing a stream-of-(un)consciousness rant serve grit and grease as a main course. "Black Thoughts" indulges itself in pure Rolling Stones worship, which is fine but not unexpected. "Unclear" is angular late-night blues, while "Bear Trap" is a sinister, howling rocker that would bring out Homeland Security if cranked to full volume. Thankfully, this whole 12-track mess clocks in at under 40 minutes. Meat + Bone may not restore faith in reunions in general, but it does prove that this burly trio has plenty of swagger and sloppy rock and roll left in them.

Track listing

01. "Black Mold" (Judah Bauer, Russell, Simins) - 3:17

02. "Bag of Bones" (Judah Bauer, Russell, Simins) - 3:54

03. "Boot Cut" (Judah Bauer, Russell, Simins) - 3:46

04. "Get Your Pants Off" (Judah Bauer, Russell, Simins) - 2:43

05. "Ice Cream Killer" (Judah Bauer, Russell, Simins) - 3:18

06. "Strange Baby" (Judah Bauer, Russell, Simins) - 3:06

07. "Bottle Baby" (Judah Bauer, Russell, Simins) - 3:06

08. "Danger" (Judah Bauer, Russell, Simins) - 2:43

09. "Black Thoughts" (Judah Bauer, Russell, Simins) - 3:22

10. "Unclear" (Judah Bauer, Russell, Simins) - 2:02

11. "Bear Trap" (Judah Bauer, Russell, Simins) - 4:16

12. "Zimgar" (Judah Bauer, Russell, Simins) - 4:08

Release: September 18, 2012

Label: Boombox/Mom

Genre: Indie Rock, Punk, Blues

Lenght: 39:41

Producer: Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Personnel

Jon Spencer - Guitar, Vox

Judah Bauer - Guitar

Russell Simins - Drums

Posted by audioblaster | 10:42 - 0 reacties

(08) Richie Sambora - Aftermath Of The Lowdown (2012)

"Aftermath Of The Lowdown" is the third solo album from the famed guitarist and Bon Jovi founding member Richie Sambora, which was released on September 18, 2012.

Already is been introduced the first single, ‘Every Road Leads Home To You‘ but now it’s time for more. The past decade has been anything but easy for Richie, who has reluctantly been the focus of tabloid headlines due to various happenings in his personal life. According to Sambora, it’s time for the public to look beyond the gossip and hear the story from the man himself. “This is the truth, the lowdown,” he says. “And after you speak that truth, there’s always an aftermath.”

Being just a guy from New Jersey who dreamed to play guitar, the success he’s managed to attain only humbles him more. "Aftermath of the Lowdown" is his first solo record in 14 years, and he says it’s his most honest one yet. “This is my favorite record I’ve ever made,” says the rock star. “It’s the most fulfilling experience in my life as a musician.” "Aftermath Of The Lowdown" which is produced by Luke Ebbin is Richie’s attempt to explain who he is, what he’s gone through and how he’s come out of it all. “A lot has happened in my life over the last ten years, personal stuff that’s cathartic for me to get out,” he explains. “Really things that could happen to anybody, but I just happened to be in a band with the biggest concert tour in the world, and in the glare of the public eye.”

Track listing

01. "Burn That Candle Down" (Richie Sambora, Luke Ebbin) - 4:24

02. "Every Road Leads Home to You" (Sambora, Ebbin) - 4:40

03. "Taking a Chance on the Wind" (Sambora, Ebbin) - 4:47

04. "Nowadays" (Sambora, Ebbin) - 4:00

05. "Weathering the Storm" (Sambora, Bernie Taupin) - 4:49

06. "Sugar Daddy" (Sambora, Ebbin) - 4:37

07. "I'll Always Walk Beside You" (Sambora, Ebbin) - 5:03

08. "Seven Years Gone" (Sambora, Ebbin) - 5:36

09. "Learnin' How to Fly with a Broken Wing" (Sambora, Ebbin) - 4:35

10. "You Can Only Get So High" (Sambora, Ebbin) - 6:32

11. "Backseat Driver" (Sambora, Ebbin) (Deluxe Edition & Japanese Bonus Track) - 4:36

12. "World" (Sambora, Ebbin) - 2:22

Released: September 12, 2012

Genre: Rock

Length: 51:25

Label: Dangerbird

Producer: Luke Ebbin, Richie Sambora

Personnel

Richie Sambora - vocals, acoustic & electric guitar

Aaron Sterling - drums

Matt Rollings - piano, organ

Curt Schneider - bass

Rusty Anderson - guitar

Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. - keyboards

Posted by audioblaster | 10:21 - 0 reacties

(07) Loverboy - Rock 'N' Roll Revival (2012)

"Rock 'N' Roll Revival" is the 2012 album by the Canadian rock band Loverboy.

For more than three decades, veteran multi-platinum Canadian rockers Loverboy have been lovin’ every minute of it…and now are proud to announce the upcoming worldwide release of "Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival" via Frontiers Records. The album is set for an August 14th, and features nine newly re-recorded Loverboy hits, as well as three brand new songs. Loverboy founder/guitarist and producer of the album, Paul Dean commented, “The new songs on this album are in the same spirit as our classic material. Working with our old friend, Bob Rock, on ‘Heartbreaker’ and ‘No Tomorrow’ was very easy and natural. And, the track ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival’ brought Mike Reno and me back to our collaborative spirit of the 80’s. As far as the classic hits on the album, these songs are reflective of the evolution of our past 30 years of playing them Live.” Aside from singer Mike Reno and guitarist Paul Dean, Loverboy still includes original members Doug Johnson on keyboards and Matt Frenette on drums, with Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve (a former member of Dean and Frenette’s pre-Loverboy band Streetheart), who replaced the late Scott Smith on bass, and continues a healthy touring schedule around the world. Loverboy is now back once again, having reunited at Bryan Adams’ Vancouver studio The Warehouse, with their original engineer, legendary producer Bob Rock [Metallica, Aerosmith, The Cure, Bon Jovi], who worked under Bruce Fairbairn at the time. The band has recorded three new songs with Rock, “Heartbreaker” “Rock 'N' Roll Revival “ and “No Tomorrow,” which have been added to nine all new re-recordings of the band’s best tracks.

Track listing

01. "Rock 'n' Roll Revival" - 4:13

02. "No Tomorrow" - 4:41

03. "Heartbreaker" - 3:56

04. "Turn Me Loose" - 5:56

05. "Working for the Weekend" - 3:51

06. "Lovin' Every Minute of It" - 5:23

07. "The Kid Is Hot Tonight" - 4:31

08. "Lucky Ones" - 4:04

09. "Always on My Mind" - 3:41

10. "Queen of the Broken Hearts" - 4:01

11. "When It's Over" - 5:31

12. "Hot Girls in Love" - 7:55

(Tracks 1-3 are new songs)

(Tracks 4-12 are re-recordings of Loverboy's hits)

Released: August 14, 2012

Recorded at: The Warehouse Studio, Vancouver, Canada

Genre: Rock

Label: Frontiers Records

Producer: Paul Dean, Bob Rock

Personnel

Mike Reno - lead vocals

Paul Dean - guitars, producer

Matt Frenette - drums

Doug Johnson - keyboards

Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve - bass

Posted by audioblaster | 07:58 - 0 reacties

(06) Papa Roach - The Connection (2012)

"The Connection" is the seventh album by California rock band Papa Roach. It is set to be released on October 2, 2012 through Eleven Seven Music. The album was produced by Sixx:A.M. vocalist James Michael, who co-produced the band's previous full-length album Metamorphosis, and Goldfinger vocalist John Feldmann. The first single, "Still Swingin'", was released on July 24, 2012. A non-album track titled "Even If I Could" appeared on The Avengers Soundtrack.

Jacoby Shaddix has described the album as a "rediscovery of the basic elements of Papa Roach." He state: "We kind of went back and looked at the history of our band and really thought about… Creatively, what evolutions have we gone through? When we came in, it was, like, metal and hip-hop and nu-metal, and then we kind of got more into straight-ahead rock and then we added pop elements to our band. So this record just encompasses everything we’ve done from the beginning to where we are currently as a band; it just kind of connects the dots of all the elements of our sound over the years." "There's some hip-hop, more keyboards than before, sound loops, textures - it's dynamic, diverse and vulnerable. That is Papa Roach. We have never sounded better", said Shaddix.

In regards to the album's title, Shaddix stated it was one of many different titles the band went through. "We always just kept coming back to ‘The Connection.’" stated Shaddix. "What ‘The Connection’ means to us, it’s our connection to the music, it’s the connection of this music to the fans, it’s the connection that we make onstage with our music, it’s the connection from fan-to-fan on the social Internet marketing media world."

Track listing

01. "Engage" - 0:51

02. "Still Swingin'" - 3:24

03. "Where Did the Angels Go?" - 3:10

04. "Silence is the Enemy" - 2:53

05. "Before I Die" - 4:25

06. "Wish You Never Met Me" - 4:05

07. "Give Me Back My Life" - 3:58

08. "Breathe You In" - 3:07

09. "Leader of the Broken Hearts" - 4:12

10. "Not That Beautiful" - 3:18

11. "Walking Dead" - 3:18

12. "Won't Let Up" - 4:00

13. "As Far as I Remember" - 3:42

Released: October 2, 2012

Genre: Alternative Metal, Rap Rock

Label: Eleven Seven Music

Producer: James Michael, John Feldmann

Personnel

Jacoby Shaddix - vocals

Jerry Horton - lead guitar

Tobin Esperance - bass guitar

Tony Palermo - drums, percussion

Posted by audioblaster | 13:17 - 0 reacties

(05) DeWolff - DeWolff IV (2012)

The fourth album of DeWolff has simply gotten the title ' IV ' and needs also to have no name where many thought about is too long. The numbers on the new plate say enough already, everything actually. We will undertake the clichés but equal, small boys are great, they are more mature and let an even wider spectrum of hear what we already knew of the rock trio. Anyone who ever saw the band live that they know their stuff but too happy to let big long jams out to thighs. Of course we also heard this back on previous albums. But ' IV ' turns out to be a steel map of the compact numbers Limburg that shows that they can write and in addition can produce a full piece of a spacious 19 minutes.

The dichotomy on the plate let see this well, since the first six number loose-to DeWolff's standard-compact numbers. The second part of the disk represents, divided over seven chapters, ' A Mind Slip '. A long aaneenvolging of numbers that are interwoven into a opgesierde, with strings, rock opera. It seems or the gentlemen have found the ultimate balance in placing the three instruments within each track that is written. The organ of Robin Piso was at the acquaintance of the band a few years ago, of course, the eye-catcher, for both the eye and the ear. Now plays the instrument in some songs the leading role (' Crumling Heart '), but there is also the alternation of a more supportive Extras role (' Northbound ').

' A Mind Slip ' would be so but once if the opus magnum of the band can be considered. As is often goes, the trio also quietly in the piece begins with ' Devil On A Wire ' and ' The Telephone '. The tension is built with ' Black Hole ', and the ' Sixth Dimension via Raga Blues ' at ' The Telephone PT. II ' to an eruption. A break with ' Astral Awareness ' gives the breath once more with ' Vicious Times ' to go and the composition to a final loose. Adding stijkers is clearly a surplus value. The classical strings give the whole a great sound. Where modern bands that also create large and long arrangements, such as Muse, nowadays electronica insertion and use of techniques, not so very late 2012 anno DeWolff seduce with these capabilities. To hear the sound like that is still on ' IV ' sounds like it comes from the base of three.

Track listing

01. Voodoo Mademoiselle - 3:02

02. Six Holes and a Ghost - 4:49

03. Devil's Due - 4:15

04. Crumbling Heart - 3:19

05. The Only Thornless Rose - 3:31

06. Northbound - 4:27

07. Devil on a Wire / The Telephone (A Mind Slip) - 5:33

08. Black Hole Raga (A Mind Slip) - 2:53

09. Sixth Dimension Blues / the Telephone Pt. 2 (A Mind Slip) - 5:05

10. Astral Awareness (A Mind Slip) - 2:02

11. Vicious Times (A Mind Slip) - 3:49

Release: 2012

Recorded At: Artsound Recording Studio

Label: REmusic Records

Genre: Psychedelic Rock

Length: 42:45

Produder: DeWolff

Recorded By, Engineer, Mixed By: Rob Vanspauwen

Executive-producer: Ron Engelen

Lyrics By: Pablo van de Poel

Personnel

Luka van de Poel - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals, Flute

Pablo van de Poel - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar, Mandolin, Arranged By [Strings]

Robin Piso - Organ [Hammond], Piano, Electric Piano [Wurlitzer], Mellotron, Kalimba, Glockenspiel, Bass [Hohner], Backing Vocals

Posted by audioblaster | 09:43 - 0 reacties

(04) Matchbox Twenty - North (2012)

"North" is the fourth studio album by American alternative rock band Matchbox Twenty.

Matchbox 20 never quite broke up. Rather, they simply faded away. One day, they were ubiquitous, the next, they just weren't there and they stayed hidden for the better part of a decade, cobbling together a hits album and accompanying tour in 2007 but taking their time crafting their fourth album. A full ten years separate 2012's North and its predecessor, "More Than You Think You Are", a decade gap that seems slightly shorter due to Rob Thomas' pair of solo albums and also in how Matchbox 20 pick up where they left off, spending only the briefest amount of time reckoning with pop trends that have surfaced since their last record (i.e., the disco-rock pulse of "Put Your Hands Up" and a few groove-oriented cuts that betray the influence of Maroon 5). But that doesn't necessarily mean North is a relic of the new millennium, sounding like everything else the band's ever done. Remarkably, Matchbox 20 has lightened up with age, whittling away any excess and pretension, winding up with their first album that could truly be called pop. It's a big, bright, shiny record anchored with odes to the radio and partying, its few love songs sweet and easy, not tortured. At times, the slick muscular melodicism of North recalls prime Third Eye Blind more than Matchbox 20 hooks are always pushed to the forefront, everything is wrapped in alluring gloss but Thomas possesses a warm vulnerability that always alluded Stephan Jenkins, and Matchbox 20, as a whole, is coolly, expertly professional, turning out immaculate AAA pop that still manages to have personality.

Two singles are taken so far off this album, "She's So Mean" and "Overjoyed".

Track listing

01. "Parade" (Thomas) - 4:09

02. "She's So Mean" (Thomas, Cook, Doucette) - 3:50

03. "Overjoyed" (Thomas, Cook, Doucette) - 3:07

04. "Put Your Hands Up" (Thomas) - 2:52

05. "Our Song" (Thomas) - 3:01

06. "I Will" (Thomas, Cook, Doucette) - 4:03

07. "English Town" (Doucette) - 4:37

08. "How Long" (Cook) - 2:44

09. "Radio" (Thomas, Doucette) - 3:02

10. "The Way" (Cook, Doucette) - 3:17

11. "Like Sugar" (Thomas) - 3:46

12. "Sleeping at the Wheel" (Thomas) - 3:50

Released: September 4, 2012

Genre: Pop, Rock

Length: 42:24

Label: Atlantic

Producer: Matt Serletic

Personnel

Rob Thomas - lead vocals, piano

Kyle Cook - lead and rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "The Way"

Paul Doucette - drums, percussion, acoustic guitar, piano, backing vocals

Brian Yale - bass guitar, backing vocals

Posted by audioblaster | 00:19 - 0 reacties

(03) Dave Matthews Band - Away From The World (2012)

"Away From The World" is the eighth studio album by Dave Matthews Band (DMB), slated for release on September 11, 2012. The album will be their first since 2009's "Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King". The album's title comes from a line in the song "The Riff": "Sitting in a box / away from the world out there." According to Matthews, it relates to the idea that we are born and die alone and that "our body is our box."

"Ain't it funny how time slips away/Looking at the cracks creeping across my face," Dave Matthews sings on "The Riff," a key track from DMB's eighth studio set. Midlife reflection dominates the new material that the band cut in Seattle with producer Steve Lillywhite, the man behind DMB classics such as 1996's "Crash". "It was great to get back in a room with him, now that we're old bastards," Matthews says. "He captures the way we sound with less effort than a lot of people." Some of “Away From the World” is unabashedly cheesy, especially when Matthews uncages his lusty side on “Belly Belly Nice” or pleads in simplistic terms for a better world on “Mercy.” Though Matthews occasionally splashes around in shallow lyrics, the band overall cooks, fleshing out these tunes in an integral way. The record forgoes the rough edges of its “GrooGrux” predecessor, instead bubbling like a lava lamp. “Broken Things” opens the album with a trademark tension-building contrast between desire and darkness. The record peaks with “The Riff,” which wends through fears and hopes and ultimately reveals the breadth of the band’s prowess. DMB wraps up with two long-form pieces full of guitar strums, violin slashes, jazzy rhythms, and barroom philosophizing just like the good ol’ days.

The Super Deluxe Version will include the three live tracks featured on the Deluxe CD, as well as a Bonus CD featuring tracks from the DMB 2012 Summer Tour, and a DVD featuring live performances from the 2012 Summer Tour.

Track listing

01. "Broken Things" (David J. Matthews) - 3:48

02. "Belly Belly Nice" (David J. Matthews) - 3:53

03. "Mercy" (David J. Matthews) - 4:28

04. "Gaucho" (David J. Matthews) - 4:25

05. "Sweet" (David J. Matthews) - 4:12

06. "The Riff" (David J. Matthews) - 5:35

07. "Belly Full" (David J. Matthews) - 1:43

08. "If Only" (David J. Matthews) - 5:38

09. "Rooftop" (David J. Matthews) - 4:12

10. "Snow Outside" (Coffin, David J. Matthews, Tinsley) - 6:11

11. "Drunken Soldier" (Coffin, David J. Matthews, Tinsley) - 9:45

The Deluxe Version Tracks

01. "Gaucho" (David J. Matthews) (Hartford, CT – 5.25.12)

02. "Mercy" (David J. Matthews) (Bristow, VA – 6.16.12)

03. "Sweet" (David J. Matthews) (Cleveland, OH – 6.3.12)

Released: September 11, 2012

Genre: Alternative rock

Length: 54:00

Label: RCA

Producer: Steve Lillywhite

Personnel

Dave Matthews Band

Carter Beauford – drums, vocals

Stefan Lessard – bass

Dave Matthews – acoustic, electric guitars, ukulele, and piano, lead vocals

Jeff Coffin – saxophone

Boyd Tinsley – electric violin, violin

Tim Reynolds - electric guitar

Rashawn Ross – trumpet, vocals

Roger Smith - Hammond Organ

Posted by audioblaster | 04:12 - 0 reacties

(02) ZZ Top - La Futura (2012)

"La Futura" is the fifteenth studio album by American rock band ZZ Top, and their first in nine years, following "Mescalero". "La Futura" was recorded at The Foambox Recordings in Houston, Texas. The four songs that kick off "La Futura", “I Gotsta Get Paid,” “Chartreuse,” “Consumption” and “Over You” debuted last month as Texicali, a digital preview collection exclusively available from iTunes that achieved significant critical and sales success. “I Gotsta Get Paid,” performed by the band in video spots for the Jeremiah Weed line of beverages raised awareness of the song that was inspired by the 1990’s underground Houston rap song “25 Lighters” by DJ DMD with Lil’ Keke and Fat Pat. USA Today named ““I Gotsta Get Paid” its top pick of the week, citing the band for unleashing “its trademark grit and grease in a raw, bluesy rough-and-tumble treatment…” No Depression called “Consumption” “a grinding groove with a bit of Texan funk squeezed into the grooves.” Music Radar analyzed “Consumption,” noting, “The groove is fat, crunchy and full of swagger,” summing the effort us as “ZZ Top crankin’ up some fresh, vital roadhouse blues.” Also part of "La Futura" is, fittingly, “Flyin’ High.” The track made its interstellar debut when it was piped into the Soyuz spacecraft at the time of its launch to the International Space Station thirteen months ago. Before it was fully completed, the song was heard onboard at the request of NASA Astronaut Mike Fossum, a long-time ZZ Top fan and intimate who had caught wind of it in an earlier conversation with Dusty Hill. "La Futura" also includes “I Don’t Wanna Lose, Lose, You” that has a real garage rock feel while “Big Shiny Nine” is a double entendre tour de force. “It’s Too Easy Mañana” is a down tempo lament, written by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, whose chorus includes the lyric “it’s too easy to feel good.” “Heartache In Blue” includes vocals shared by Gibbons and Hill and can be likened to country blues as reimagined for the 21st Century. The album closes with “Have A Little Mercy,” a down and dirty funky tune, complete with tempo shift, that should serve to underscore the ZZ Top motto that “you just can’t lose with the blues.”

Track listing

01. "I Gotsta Get Paid" - 4:03

02. "Chartreuse" - 2:57

03. "Consumption" - 3:48

04. "Over You" - 4:30

05. "Heartache in Blue" - 4:09

06. "I Don’t Wanna Lose, Lose, You" - 4:21

07. "Flyin’ High" - 4:18

08. "It’s Too Easy Manana" - 4:48

09. "Big Shiny Nine" - 3:11

10. "Have a Little Mercy" - 3:19

Released: September 10 2012

Label: American Recordings

Genre: Blues Rock, Boogie Rock

Length: 39:18

Producer: Rick Rubin, Billy Gibbons

Personnel

Billy Gibbons – lead vocals, guitar, piano

Dusty Hill – bass, backing vocals

Frank Beard – drums

James Harman - Harmonica

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