Albums:
KT Tunstall gets the top rock debut of the week at #9. James Blunt debuted higher, but describing James Blunt as rock would be like describing a chunk of cardboard as gourmet pizza.
Eddie Vedder debuted at #11 with the soundtrack to Into The Wild.
HIM debuted at #12 for some reason.
Motion City Soundtrack debuted at #16.
The Dropkick Murphys debuted at #20.
Also debuting this week were Mark Knopfler at #26, New Found Glory at #42, and the Donnas at #89.
Modern Rock And Mainstream Rock:
All is right in the world as the Foo Fighters are #1 on both charts with "The Pretender", the first time that both charts were topped by a good song in a LONG time.
Serj Tankian (lead singer of System Of A Down) debuted at #20 on the modern rock chart and #14 on the mainstream chart with "Empty Walls".
Velvet Revolver debuted at #17 on the mainstream rock chart with "The Last Fight".
Saturday, September 29, 2007
New Movies This Week
The Kingdom - A terrorism film with a great cast (Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Jeremy Piven, Chris Cooper) and a great director (Peter Berg). Reviews have been tepid, but I'm there first chance I get.
VERDICT - SEE IT ASAP
The Game Plan - The Rock goes the "Kindergarten Cop / The Pacifier / Are We There Yet" route as a tough guy in a stupid family film.
VERDICT - AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE
VERDICT - SEE IT ASAP
The Game Plan - The Rock goes the "Kindergarten Cop / The Pacifier / Are We There Yet" route as a tough guy in a stupid family film.
VERDICT - AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE
New Shit This Week
DVDs:
Knocked Up - Knocked Up is one of the funniest movies of the last 10 years. It's clever and well-written and was shockingly successful at the box office.
VERDICT - BUY IT ASAP
Black Book - From the director of Basic Instinct and Robocop is really the worst possible way to describe this movie, though it would be true. A period piece that is reportedly Oscar-worthy, this WWII film should be worth a rent at least.
VERDICT - RENT IT
Bug - One of the forgotten movies of the summer, Bug is apparently a pretty good movie and worth a look.
VERDICT - RENT IT
Severance - A heavy-handed satire that has a few good gags, but it's certainly no Shaun of the Dead.
VERDICT - RENT IT
Next - A massive flop when it was in theaters, Next is the latest in a series of terrible film choices for Nick Cage, whose Oscar seems to keep getting rustier and rustier.
VERDICT - SKIP IT
CDs:
The Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace - A slight letdown from the brilliance of their last album In Your Honor, this album still has more than it's share of great tracks and is absolutely worth a purchase.
VERDICT - BUY IT
Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog - I'm not the biggest fan of this genre of music, but it's very artistic and pleasant to listen to.
VERDICT - BORROW IT
Athlete - Beyond The Neighborhood - A middling indie rock band, Athlete is usually good for a few great songs per album.
VERDICT - BORROW IT
Devendra Banhart - Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon - Not my favorite genre, but it's getting rave reviews so if you like this kind of thing, you'll probably love this album.
VERDICT - BORROW IT
Knocked Up - Knocked Up is one of the funniest movies of the last 10 years. It's clever and well-written and was shockingly successful at the box office.
VERDICT - BUY IT ASAP
Black Book - From the director of Basic Instinct and Robocop is really the worst possible way to describe this movie, though it would be true. A period piece that is reportedly Oscar-worthy, this WWII film should be worth a rent at least.
VERDICT - RENT IT
Bug - One of the forgotten movies of the summer, Bug is apparently a pretty good movie and worth a look.
VERDICT - RENT IT
Severance - A heavy-handed satire that has a few good gags, but it's certainly no Shaun of the Dead.
VERDICT - RENT IT
Next - A massive flop when it was in theaters, Next is the latest in a series of terrible film choices for Nick Cage, whose Oscar seems to keep getting rustier and rustier.
VERDICT - SKIP IT
CDs:
The Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace - A slight letdown from the brilliance of their last album In Your Honor, this album still has more than it's share of great tracks and is absolutely worth a purchase.
VERDICT - BUY IT
Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog - I'm not the biggest fan of this genre of music, but it's very artistic and pleasant to listen to.
VERDICT - BORROW IT
Athlete - Beyond The Neighborhood - A middling indie rock band, Athlete is usually good for a few great songs per album.
VERDICT - BORROW IT
Devendra Banhart - Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon - Not my favorite genre, but it's getting rave reviews so if you like this kind of thing, you'll probably love this album.
VERDICT - BORROW IT
Saturday, September 22, 2007
New Movies This Week
Eastern Promises - David Cronenberg's follow-up to the classic A History Of Violence re-teams him with star Viggo Mortensen in an ultra-violent look into the Russian Mafia. This is the movie that should be nominated for Best Picture but won't be.
VERDICT - SEE IT ASAP
Across The Universe - A 60's epic themed to Beatles songs that's getting great reviews. Awesome.
VERDICT - SEE IT ASAP
Resident Evil: Extinction - The first movie was alright, the second one was abysmal. This one can wait until DVD.
VERDICT - SKIP IT.
Good Luck Chuck - Dane Cook and Jessica Alba engage in an all-out brawl to determine who has the least acting ability in Hollywood. Did I mention that the plot is absolutely vile?
VERDICT - SKIP IT.
Sydney White - Not my cup of tea, but it looks like it might be fun in a Mean Girls sort of way.
VERDICT - SKIP IT.
VERDICT - SEE IT ASAP
Across The Universe - A 60's epic themed to Beatles songs that's getting great reviews. Awesome.
VERDICT - SEE IT ASAP
Resident Evil: Extinction - The first movie was alright, the second one was abysmal. This one can wait until DVD.
VERDICT - SKIP IT.
Good Luck Chuck - Dane Cook and Jessica Alba engage in an all-out brawl to determine who has the least acting ability in Hollywood. Did I mention that the plot is absolutely vile?
VERDICT - SKIP IT.
Sydney White - Not my cup of tea, but it looks like it might be fun in a Mean Girls sort of way.
VERDICT - SKIP IT.
Modern Rock Update
Albums:
It's not rock related, but Kanye West's new album did in fact beat the shit out of 50 Cent's new album. If this holds up and it's likely that it well, Mr. Cent will be honor-bound to stop recording albums. He'll either give up his career or his credibility. Thank you, Kanye. You're doing God's work.
The top rock debut was the Soundtrack to the Beatles' themed movie Across the Universe at #49.
Also debuting this week were Pinback debuted at #69, Animal Collective at #72, Hot Hot Heat at #86, Ani DiFranco at #89.
Modern Rock:
The Foo Fighters stayed at #1 with "The Pretender".
Rise Against debuted at #20 with "The Good Left Undone".
Mainstream Rock:
Three Days Grace remained at #1 with "Never Too Late".
It's not rock related, but Kanye West's new album did in fact beat the shit out of 50 Cent's new album. If this holds up and it's likely that it well, Mr. Cent will be honor-bound to stop recording albums. He'll either give up his career or his credibility. Thank you, Kanye. You're doing God's work.
The top rock debut was the Soundtrack to the Beatles' themed movie Across the Universe at #49.
Also debuting this week were Pinback debuted at #69, Animal Collective at #72, Hot Hot Heat at #86, Ani DiFranco at #89.
Modern Rock:
The Foo Fighters stayed at #1 with "The Pretender".
Rise Against debuted at #20 with "The Good Left Undone".
Mainstream Rock:
Three Days Grace remained at #1 with "Never Too Late".
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Battle Of The Bands 2007 - Championship
In a rematch of 2005's finals, The White Stripes once again took on Queens Of The Stone Age. Last time QOTSA pulled out a 3-0 victory. Each band has released only one release of new material since that time and the superiority of the new Stripes album has apparently tipped the scales in their favor as they won the 2007 battle by a margin of 3-0.
Congratulations to The White Stripes, the Best Band in the World in 2007.
Will there be a rematch in 2009 or is it finally Justin Timberlake's turn? (Note: It won't be Justin Timberlake's turn.)
Congratulations to The White Stripes, the Best Band in the World in 2007.
Will there be a rematch in 2009 or is it finally Justin Timberlake's turn? (Note: It won't be Justin Timberlake's turn.)
Battle Of The Bands 2007 - The Final Four
#1 The White Stripes 3 - #11 Wolfmother 0 - One album just isn't going to get you to the title, no matter how good that album might be.
#2 Queens Of The Stone Age 2 - #5 Pearl Jam 1 - Queens squeaks their way into the Final Four where they face the unbeaten White Stripes. Good luck...
#2 Queens Of The Stone Age 2 - #5 Pearl Jam 1 - Queens squeaks their way into the Final Four where they face the unbeaten White Stripes. Good luck...
Battle Of The Bands 2007 - Round 6
Bracket A:
#1 The White Stripes 3 - #2 Tool 0 - Blues metal trumps prog metal in the Bracket A championship.
Bracket B:
#1 Queens Of The Stone Age 2 - #6 System Of A Down 1 - Not a good sign for our reigning champion, QOTSA, as they lose a vote this early.
Bracket C:
#3 Wolfmother 2 - #1 The Red Hot Chili Peppers 1 - The biggest upset of the championship round sees the Rookies Of The Year advance to the final 4.
Bracket D:
#2 Pearl Jam 3 - #1 Beck 0 - A minor upset to be sure, as Beck tends to be over-rated in these tournaments for whatever reason, but the last survivors of grunge (No, Silverchair does NOT count!) survive to the final four of the battle.
#1 The White Stripes 3 - #2 Tool 0 - Blues metal trumps prog metal in the Bracket A championship.
Bracket B:
#1 Queens Of The Stone Age 2 - #6 System Of A Down 1 - Not a good sign for our reigning champion, QOTSA, as they lose a vote this early.
Bracket C:
#3 Wolfmother 2 - #1 The Red Hot Chili Peppers 1 - The biggest upset of the championship round sees the Rookies Of The Year advance to the final 4.
Bracket D:
#2 Pearl Jam 3 - #1 Beck 0 - A minor upset to be sure, as Beck tends to be over-rated in these tournaments for whatever reason, but the last survivors of grunge (No, Silverchair does NOT count!) survive to the final four of the battle.
Battle Of The Bands 2007 - Round 5
Bracket A:
#1 The White Stripes 3 - #4 Franz Ferdinand 0 - A clean sweep for the blues rock over dance rock.
#2 Tool 2 - #3 The Foo Fighters 1 - Tool finally got off their ass last year and released an album, just in time to edge out the Foo Fighters, who have a new one out on a regular bi-annual basis.
Bracket B:
#1 Queens Of The Stone Age 3 - #12 Muse 0 - Not that they needed it, but QOTSA got a really easy bracket this year, full of a lot of upsets.
#6 System Of A Down 3 - #26 The Arcade Fire 0 - The underdog to end all underdogs finally runs up against a bigger dog that it couldn't lick. Dog.
Bracket C:
#1 The Red Hot Chili Peppers 2 - #5 The Killers 1 - The Killers are just getting started on the Modern Rock charts. The Peppers? Easily the most successful band in the history of said charts.
#3 Wolfmother 3 - #2 The Shins 0 - Not so much an upset as statistical adjustment, the Zeppelin-esque Wolfmother beat out the biggest thing in indie rock.
Bracket D:
#1 Beck 2 - #4 Incubus 1 - No two Beck songs sounds alike. Almost every Incubus song these days sound EXACTLY alike. I'm really surprised they made it this far, but it doesn't matter now.
#2 Pearl Jam 3 - #6 The Strokes 0 - The Strokes might have had the edge here, but Pearl Jam's last album was their best in 10 years and it easily blew the Strokes right out of their $500 leather jackets.
#1 The White Stripes 3 - #4 Franz Ferdinand 0 - A clean sweep for the blues rock over dance rock.
#2 Tool 2 - #3 The Foo Fighters 1 - Tool finally got off their ass last year and released an album, just in time to edge out the Foo Fighters, who have a new one out on a regular bi-annual basis.
Bracket B:
#1 Queens Of The Stone Age 3 - #12 Muse 0 - Not that they needed it, but QOTSA got a really easy bracket this year, full of a lot of upsets.
#6 System Of A Down 3 - #26 The Arcade Fire 0 - The underdog to end all underdogs finally runs up against a bigger dog that it couldn't lick. Dog.
Bracket C:
#1 The Red Hot Chili Peppers 2 - #5 The Killers 1 - The Killers are just getting started on the Modern Rock charts. The Peppers? Easily the most successful band in the history of said charts.
#3 Wolfmother 3 - #2 The Shins 0 - Not so much an upset as statistical adjustment, the Zeppelin-esque Wolfmother beat out the biggest thing in indie rock.
Bracket D:
#1 Beck 2 - #4 Incubus 1 - No two Beck songs sounds alike. Almost every Incubus song these days sound EXACTLY alike. I'm really surprised they made it this far, but it doesn't matter now.
#2 Pearl Jam 3 - #6 The Strokes 0 - The Strokes might have had the edge here, but Pearl Jam's last album was their best in 10 years and it easily blew the Strokes right out of their $500 leather jackets.
September Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees
Inducted this month into my Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame were:
The Red Hot Chili Peppers
Queens Of The Stone Age
The White Stripes
The Smashing Pumpkins
Nine Inch Nails
A Perfect Circle
The Red Hot Chili Peppers
Queens Of The Stone Age
The White Stripes
The Smashing Pumpkins
Nine Inch Nails
A Perfect Circle
New Shit This Week
DVDs:
Death Proof - Well, I guess they had to make money off of these movies somehow, so they stabbed fans in the back by selling each half of Grindhouse as it's own DVD. What's worse? This one doesn't even have the fake trailers on it. Still, it's Quentin and the movie kicks ass, so I'm there.
VERDICT - Buy It.
We Are Marshall - Football Film #2334634 comes out on DVD after being in theaters for something like 10 months. If you've ever seen a football movie, you probably know how this one plays out.
VERDICT - Rent it.
The Condemned - The American ripoff of Battle Royale and the best they could get was they fifth most popular wrestler-turned-actor of all-time? And this somehow didn't go straight to video?
VERDICT - Skip it.
Gracie - Tweeners AND Soccer? Sign Me Up!.... for the list of people who never have to even watch this movie by accident.
VERDICT - Skip it.
Bloodrayne 2 - Ordinarily I don't mention movies that go straight to DVD, but this is a unique case. What we have in Bloodrayne 2 is a sequel to one of the worst movies ever made and one of the biggest financial disasters in recent memory. This movie shouldn't even exist, should it? What's the explanation? Is it some sort of cult classic because of how bad it is? Is that it? Oh well, I will enjoy never finding out.
VERDICT - Skip it.
CDs:
Eddie Vedder - Into The Wild - Eddie's the lead singer of my second favorite band of all-time, Pearl Jam. This is his first official solo album and the word is that it's pretty good.
VERDICT - Buy it.
Thurston Moore - Trees Outside The Academy - Another singer from a legendary band (Sonic Youth) goes solo this week. I've never listened to any Thurston solo, but I figure it's worth a shot at least.
VERDICT - Buy it.
KT Tunstall - Drastic Fantastic - I had Tunstall pegged as a one hit wonder and I'm very glad to be wrong. She's not reliable enough to recommend a purchase at this point, but she may be soon.
VERDICT - Borrow it.
The Dropkick Murphys - The Meanest Of Times - If the Murphys did an album of instrumental music, I'd buy it in a heartbeat, but they insist on singing in their songs, which is tragic really.
VERDICT - Borrow it.
Rogue Wave - Asleep At Heaven's Gate - The latest "big new shiny thing" on the indie rock scene. They're not quite big enough for a first week purchase, but if I hear good things, I'll reconsider.
VERDICT - Borrow it.
H.I.M. - Venus Doom - I do like metal, but this stuff here is over the top and cheesy. Plus, they have a new album out every six months, so why not just rent their CD until the next one comes out.
VERDICT - Skip it.
Death Proof - Well, I guess they had to make money off of these movies somehow, so they stabbed fans in the back by selling each half of Grindhouse as it's own DVD. What's worse? This one doesn't even have the fake trailers on it. Still, it's Quentin and the movie kicks ass, so I'm there.
VERDICT - Buy It.
We Are Marshall - Football Film #2334634 comes out on DVD after being in theaters for something like 10 months. If you've ever seen a football movie, you probably know how this one plays out.
VERDICT - Rent it.
The Condemned - The American ripoff of Battle Royale and the best they could get was they fifth most popular wrestler-turned-actor of all-time? And this somehow didn't go straight to video?
VERDICT - Skip it.
Gracie - Tweeners AND Soccer? Sign Me Up!.... for the list of people who never have to even watch this movie by accident.
VERDICT - Skip it.
Bloodrayne 2 - Ordinarily I don't mention movies that go straight to DVD, but this is a unique case. What we have in Bloodrayne 2 is a sequel to one of the worst movies ever made and one of the biggest financial disasters in recent memory. This movie shouldn't even exist, should it? What's the explanation? Is it some sort of cult classic because of how bad it is? Is that it? Oh well, I will enjoy never finding out.
VERDICT - Skip it.
CDs:
Eddie Vedder - Into The Wild - Eddie's the lead singer of my second favorite band of all-time, Pearl Jam. This is his first official solo album and the word is that it's pretty good.
VERDICT - Buy it.
Thurston Moore - Trees Outside The Academy - Another singer from a legendary band (Sonic Youth) goes solo this week. I've never listened to any Thurston solo, but I figure it's worth a shot at least.
VERDICT - Buy it.
KT Tunstall - Drastic Fantastic - I had Tunstall pegged as a one hit wonder and I'm very glad to be wrong. She's not reliable enough to recommend a purchase at this point, but she may be soon.
VERDICT - Borrow it.
The Dropkick Murphys - The Meanest Of Times - If the Murphys did an album of instrumental music, I'd buy it in a heartbeat, but they insist on singing in their songs, which is tragic really.
VERDICT - Borrow it.
Rogue Wave - Asleep At Heaven's Gate - The latest "big new shiny thing" on the indie rock scene. They're not quite big enough for a first week purchase, but if I hear good things, I'll reconsider.
VERDICT - Borrow it.
H.I.M. - Venus Doom - I do like metal, but this stuff here is over the top and cheesy. Plus, they have a new album out every six months, so why not just rent their CD until the next one comes out.
VERDICT - Skip it.
Modern Rock Reviews
The White Stripes - You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told) - A+
The best song off of their latest album (a contender for album of the year for sure), this song is Jack and Meg channelling early Zeppelin like they never have before.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Berlin - A+
Another brilliant single from one of the best albums of 2006, highlighted by a great chorus and a nice build-up in the later verses.
Queens Of The Stone Age - 3's & 7's - A
What, Queens released a second single off of one of their brilliant albums? Weird. Anyway, this one isn't quite as good as "Sick, Sick, Sick", but it's still pretty damn close to excellence.
The Foo Fighters - The Pretender -
A Yet another brilliant single from one of the most reliably awesome modern rock bands of all-time. This song utilizes the old "slow-fast" dynamic that Dave learned with Nirvana. This song would have fit in nicely on "The Colour And The Shape".
Rilo Kiley - The Moneymaker - A
Not the best song on the album (one of the year's best), but it's still incredibly catchy in a Karen O sort of way and one of their best singles to date.
Velvet Revolver - Last Fight - A-
My favorite ballad from Velvet Revolver has solid lyrics, great licks from Slash and a great GNR-esque chorus.
Eddie Vedder - Hard Sun - A-
A good start for the first single off of Vedder's solo soundtrack for Into The Wild. There's a lot of later-day Bruce Springsteen channelled in this song.
1990s - You Made Me Like It - B+
A catchy, Franz Ferdinand-lite dance rock song with clever lyrics.
The Editors - An End Has A Start - B+
The Editors out-Interpol Interpol with the second single off of their latest album.
Interpol - There's No I In Threesome - B+
The better of two new singles from Interpol is a slower song, but still has a better pace to it and much better lyrics.
Hot Hot Heat - Let Me In - B+
An above average indie rock song, but it doesn't quite distinguish itself from the pack.
Spoon - The Underdog - B+
I don't think I've ever heard a Spoon song on the radio, but this one would be a good place to start. It's one of their best, but the whole "displaced song from the 70s" thing doesn't work for me as much as it does for some.
Bad Religion - Heroes & Martyrs - B+
Yeah, it's a good song, but after awhile, every Bad Religion song seems to alike.
The Smashing Pumpkins - That's The Way (My Love Is) - B
Strike two in the "let's release the best song off the album" count. This one is good and might have fit in nicely on Mellon Collie, but it's no "United States" or "Doomsday Clock".
The Cult - Dirty Little Rockstar - B
A bit of a throwback to 80s style alternative, but a step back for a band that has hit a lot of home-runs in it's day.
The Bravery - Believe - B
A decent modern rock song, but like every Bravery song, they'll always be compared to the Killers, who could have probably done it better.
Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan - B
More promising than great, the song never quite develops, but there's promise that the band itself might do much better things in the future.
Interpol - Mammoth - B
Not Interpol's best. The song has a good pulse, but doesn't have the drive one of their songs usually has.
We Are The Fury - Now You Know - B-
An average pop punk song that doesn't impress with lyrics, vocals or beat.
Matchbox Twenty - How Far We've Come - B-
Not quite as good as their 90s music, but at least this song is well-paced and not glaringly awful.
Kings Of Leon - Fans - B-
All the reviews said that Kings Of Leon finally made a good record with their new release, but I see it as a huge step down. This song is alright, but it's incredibly dull compared to "Molly's Chambers" or "California Waiting".
Adema - Cold And Jaded - C+
A dull but not completely repulsive hard rock song from one of the few remaining nu-metal holdouts.
Submersed - Better Think Again - C
A lame but competant Disturbed rip-off. Not a lot of fun.
Alter Bridge - Rise Today - C-
Another over-the-top rock song from the other guys from Creed. Believe me, we don't want people like that trying to rise today and change this world.
Another Animal - Broken Again - C-
Delightful, here come the Three Days Grace ripoff bands. Just what the world needed.
The best song off of their latest album (a contender for album of the year for sure), this song is Jack and Meg channelling early Zeppelin like they never have before.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Berlin - A+
Another brilliant single from one of the best albums of 2006, highlighted by a great chorus and a nice build-up in the later verses.
Queens Of The Stone Age - 3's & 7's - A
What, Queens released a second single off of one of their brilliant albums? Weird. Anyway, this one isn't quite as good as "Sick, Sick, Sick", but it's still pretty damn close to excellence.
The Foo Fighters - The Pretender -
A Yet another brilliant single from one of the most reliably awesome modern rock bands of all-time. This song utilizes the old "slow-fast" dynamic that Dave learned with Nirvana. This song would have fit in nicely on "The Colour And The Shape".
Rilo Kiley - The Moneymaker - A
Not the best song on the album (one of the year's best), but it's still incredibly catchy in a Karen O sort of way and one of their best singles to date.
Velvet Revolver - Last Fight - A-
My favorite ballad from Velvet Revolver has solid lyrics, great licks from Slash and a great GNR-esque chorus.
Eddie Vedder - Hard Sun - A-
A good start for the first single off of Vedder's solo soundtrack for Into The Wild. There's a lot of later-day Bruce Springsteen channelled in this song.
1990s - You Made Me Like It - B+
A catchy, Franz Ferdinand-lite dance rock song with clever lyrics.
The Editors - An End Has A Start - B+
The Editors out-Interpol Interpol with the second single off of their latest album.
Interpol - There's No I In Threesome - B+
The better of two new singles from Interpol is a slower song, but still has a better pace to it and much better lyrics.
Hot Hot Heat - Let Me In - B+
An above average indie rock song, but it doesn't quite distinguish itself from the pack.
Spoon - The Underdog - B+
I don't think I've ever heard a Spoon song on the radio, but this one would be a good place to start. It's one of their best, but the whole "displaced song from the 70s" thing doesn't work for me as much as it does for some.
Bad Religion - Heroes & Martyrs - B+
Yeah, it's a good song, but after awhile, every Bad Religion song seems to alike.
The Smashing Pumpkins - That's The Way (My Love Is) - B
Strike two in the "let's release the best song off the album" count. This one is good and might have fit in nicely on Mellon Collie, but it's no "United States" or "Doomsday Clock".
The Cult - Dirty Little Rockstar - B
A bit of a throwback to 80s style alternative, but a step back for a band that has hit a lot of home-runs in it's day.
The Bravery - Believe - B
A decent modern rock song, but like every Bravery song, they'll always be compared to the Killers, who could have probably done it better.
Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan - B
More promising than great, the song never quite develops, but there's promise that the band itself might do much better things in the future.
Interpol - Mammoth - B
Not Interpol's best. The song has a good pulse, but doesn't have the drive one of their songs usually has.
We Are The Fury - Now You Know - B-
An average pop punk song that doesn't impress with lyrics, vocals or beat.
Matchbox Twenty - How Far We've Come - B-
Not quite as good as their 90s music, but at least this song is well-paced and not glaringly awful.
Kings Of Leon - Fans - B-
All the reviews said that Kings Of Leon finally made a good record with their new release, but I see it as a huge step down. This song is alright, but it's incredibly dull compared to "Molly's Chambers" or "California Waiting".
Adema - Cold And Jaded - C+
A dull but not completely repulsive hard rock song from one of the few remaining nu-metal holdouts.
Submersed - Better Think Again - C
A lame but competant Disturbed rip-off. Not a lot of fun.
Alter Bridge - Rise Today - C-
Another over-the-top rock song from the other guys from Creed. Believe me, we don't want people like that trying to rise today and change this world.
Another Animal - Broken Again - C-
Delightful, here come the Three Days Grace ripoff bands. Just what the world needed.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
New Movies This Week
The Brave One - Jodie Foster is usually good in this type of movie, but the reviews have been atrocious, so I'll pass unless I can see a matinee somewhere close.
VERDICT - See it, if it's convenient.
Things We Lost In The Fire - I'd rate this one first, but I don't think there's a chance in hell it'll be anywhere near me. The trailer makes it look like it's a clever drama like 21 Grams.
VERDICT - See it.
Mr. Woodcock - There's a reason this has been on the shelf long enough to be walking on it's own.
VERDICT - Skip it.
VERDICT - See it, if it's convenient.
Things We Lost In The Fire - I'd rate this one first, but I don't think there's a chance in hell it'll be anywhere near me. The trailer makes it look like it's a clever drama like 21 Grams.
VERDICT - See it.
Mr. Woodcock - There's a reason this has been on the shelf long enough to be walking on it's own.
VERDICT - Skip it.
Modern Rock Update
Albums:
Chiodos scores the top rock debut of the week at #5.
Every Time I Die debuted at #41.
Manu Chao debuted at #71.
Modern Rock:
The Foo Fighters stayed at #1.
Debuting this week are Jimmy Eat World at #16 with "Big Casino", Seether at #19 with "Fake It" and Papa Roach at #20 with "Time Is Running Out".
Mainstream Rock:
Three Days Grace stayed at #1.
Atreyu debuted at #18 with "Becoming the Bull" and Papa Roach debuted at #20 with "Time Is Running Out".
Chiodos scores the top rock debut of the week at #5.
Every Time I Die debuted at #41.
Manu Chao debuted at #71.
Modern Rock:
The Foo Fighters stayed at #1.
Debuting this week are Jimmy Eat World at #16 with "Big Casino", Seether at #19 with "Fake It" and Papa Roach at #20 with "Time Is Running Out".
Mainstream Rock:
Three Days Grace stayed at #1.
Atreyu debuted at #18 with "Becoming the Bull" and Papa Roach debuted at #20 with "Time Is Running Out".
Saturday, September 8, 2007
New Movies This Week
3:10 To Yuma - Yes, the summer is over, but surprisingly there are still good movies coming out even at this late date. Yuma is a gritty Western starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale. I just saw it today and it's outstanding. It looks like it's going to be a hit too, so good on you North America.
VERDICT - SEE IT.
Shoot Em Up - I'd love to see this movie, but I'll probably have to wait until it's on DVD considering how small of a release this is.
VERDICT - SEE IT.
The Brothers Solomon - Despite that talented pair of Will's involved in this film, it's release might as well have been straight to DVD, because it's going to be the biggest comedy stinker since The Ex or possibly even Let's Go To Prison with the support it's getting from the studio.
VERDICT - SKIP IT.
VERDICT - SEE IT.
Shoot Em Up - I'd love to see this movie, but I'll probably have to wait until it's on DVD considering how small of a release this is.
VERDICT - SEE IT.
The Brothers Solomon - Despite that talented pair of Will's involved in this film, it's release might as well have been straight to DVD, because it's going to be the biggest comedy stinker since The Ex or possibly even Let's Go To Prison with the support it's getting from the studio.
VERDICT - SKIP IT.
Modern Rock Update
Albums:
Atreyu debuted at #8 this week, just beating out Ben Harper for the top rock debut at #9.
Also debuting this week were the Scorpions at #63.
Modern Rock:
Foo Fighters stayed at #1 with "The Pretender".
Against Me! debuted at #20 with "Thrash Unreal", which is one of the best songs off of one of the best albums of the year so far. Hopefully this one will tear up the charts.
Mainstream Rock:
Three Days Grace stayed at #1. I'm so ashamed of you, America.
Seether debuted at #16 this week. I haven't heard the song, but seeing that every single is worse than the last, I can't say I have high hopes.
Sixx: AM debuted at #19. Why? I can't imagine. It is a freakin' Motley Crue side project for the love of God!
Atreyu debuted at #8 this week, just beating out Ben Harper for the top rock debut at #9.
Also debuting this week were the Scorpions at #63.
Modern Rock:
Foo Fighters stayed at #1 with "The Pretender".
Against Me! debuted at #20 with "Thrash Unreal", which is one of the best songs off of one of the best albums of the year so far. Hopefully this one will tear up the charts.
Mainstream Rock:
Three Days Grace stayed at #1. I'm so ashamed of you, America.
Seether debuted at #16 this week. I haven't heard the song, but seeing that every single is worse than the last, I can't say I have high hopes.
Sixx: AM debuted at #19. Why? I can't imagine. It is a freakin' Motley Crue side project for the love of God!
New Releases
DVD:
Away From Her - Good luck finding this movie anywhere, even after it's on DVD. It's supposed to be really good though.
VERDICT - RENT IT.
Georgia Rule - The smaller of the two Lohan flops of the summer is already on DVD. I'll begin ignoring it immediately.
VERDICT - SKIP IT.
Delta Farce - The good news for humanity is that they ignored this piece of shit. With two major flops to his name we've probably seen the last film to ever star Larry The Cable Guy. Granted, no one's ever seen either, so it doesn't really matter, now does it?
VERDICT - SKIP THE HELL OUT OF THIS ONE.
CDs:
Black Francis - Bluefinger - Yeah, it's been like 9 months since the last Frank Black album, but here he is again. I'm a big fan, so if I can find it, I'll buy it.
VERDICT - BUY IT.
Hot Hot Heat - Happiness Ltd. - HHH usually has one good song per album, so you'd be better off buying that one online than buying the whole album in a store.
VERDICT - BORROW IT.
Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills - Buzzy indie band #133 releases their latest here in the states on Tuesday. Unless it gets some insane reviews, I'm probably going to pass.
VERDICT - BORROW IT.
Kanye West - Graduation - Kanye's one of my favorite rappers. If I can find his CD on sale, I'll definitely give it some consideration. On a side note, 50 Cent has said that if Kanye outsells him with their respective latest albums, he'll stop making music. If that doesn't make you want to buy this CD regardless of your feelings about Kanye, I don't know what will.
VERDICT - BUY IT IF YOU LOVE KANYE OR HATE 50 CENT.
Away From Her - Good luck finding this movie anywhere, even after it's on DVD. It's supposed to be really good though.
VERDICT - RENT IT.
Georgia Rule - The smaller of the two Lohan flops of the summer is already on DVD. I'll begin ignoring it immediately.
VERDICT - SKIP IT.
Delta Farce - The good news for humanity is that they ignored this piece of shit. With two major flops to his name we've probably seen the last film to ever star Larry The Cable Guy. Granted, no one's ever seen either, so it doesn't really matter, now does it?
VERDICT - SKIP THE HELL OUT OF THIS ONE.
CDs:
Black Francis - Bluefinger - Yeah, it's been like 9 months since the last Frank Black album, but here he is again. I'm a big fan, so if I can find it, I'll buy it.
VERDICT - BUY IT.
Hot Hot Heat - Happiness Ltd. - HHH usually has one good song per album, so you'd be better off buying that one online than buying the whole album in a store.
VERDICT - BORROW IT.
Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills - Buzzy indie band #133 releases their latest here in the states on Tuesday. Unless it gets some insane reviews, I'm probably going to pass.
VERDICT - BORROW IT.
Kanye West - Graduation - Kanye's one of my favorite rappers. If I can find his CD on sale, I'll definitely give it some consideration. On a side note, 50 Cent has said that if Kanye outsells him with their respective latest albums, he'll stop making music. If that doesn't make you want to buy this CD regardless of your feelings about Kanye, I don't know what will.
VERDICT - BUY IT IF YOU LOVE KANYE OR HATE 50 CENT.
Modern Rock Song Reviews
Tiger Army - Forever Fades Away - B-
A good start, but they need to take the tempo up a notch to get their sound down right.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Face Down - B-
A catchy tune, but nothing particularly special from what appears to be the new Jimmy Eat World.
Reel Big Fish - Party Down - B-
This genre is really hit or miss and this song isn't catchy enough to be considered a "hit".
H.I.M. - Kiss Of Dawn - B-
Decent, but not remarkable, metal but not loud, screechy or sludgy. Essentially, the prototype H.I.M. song.
Deepfield - Get It - B-
Not bad for a debut, but nothing really notable.
Yellowcard - Light Up The Sky - B-
A typical unremarkable emo pop song from Yellowcard. Dull, but not awful.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Your Guardian Angel - B-
Dull, but not particularly irritating.
Within Temptation - What Have You Done - B-
A halfway decent Evanescence rip-off that doesn't get annoying as fast as most Evanescence songs.
Travis - Closer - B-
A far below average tune from Travis is boring and too slow with no notable hooks.
Pepper - Your Face - B-
Lousy lyrics hold back an otherwise alright song.
Wired All Wrong - Elevatin' - C+
A dull indie pop song that doesn't take off.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - False Pretense - C+
A particularly dull pop punk song with a lousy hook.
Buckcherry - Broken Glass - C+
Buckcherry minus a solid hook = just plain average.
Trivium - The Rising - C+
A fairly dumb metal song with a lame chorus and no notable solos to prop it up.
Jesse Malin - Broken Radio - C+
A dull, adult contemporary song with no hook to it. Not a fun experience.
Atreyu - Becoming The Bull - C+
Above average for a metal song, but still nothing more than ordinary.
Hurt - Ten Ton Brick - C
I'd like to say this is a disappointment, but I've never had high hopes for this particular metal band in the first place.
Five Finger Death Punch - The Bleeding - C
Yet another new sludge metal band with little going for it. These things must breed in litters...
Circus Diablo - Loaded - C
A completely average metal song with nothing distinct to prop it up.
Blaqk Audio - Stiff Kittens - C
A dull techno-flavored indie song with an 80s sound and not a lot going for it.
Underoath - You're Ever So Inviting - D+
Typical death metal. Swirling guitars ruined by wretched vocals.
Hellyeah - Alcohaulin' Ass - D+
A dumb, metal song with terrible lyrics and a bad hook. This is the type of stuff Saliva thinks is too cheesy.
Three Days Grace - The Animal I Have Become - D
What's the appeal of this band anyway? I just don't get it. Their music isn't pleasant sounding, they don't have great hooks or lyrics or musical skills but for some reason this is the most popular rock song at the moment? Does anyone know why?
Three Days Grace - Pain - D-
I'd would also rather have you feel pain than nothing at all, Three Days Grace. Lots of pain. Enough pain to equal the suffering you've caused anyone with a radio in the last 4 years.
(Hed) P.E. - Suffa - F
A stupid and annoying garbage metal song. Completely worthless.
A good start, but they need to take the tempo up a notch to get their sound down right.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Face Down - B-
A catchy tune, but nothing particularly special from what appears to be the new Jimmy Eat World.
Reel Big Fish - Party Down - B-
This genre is really hit or miss and this song isn't catchy enough to be considered a "hit".
H.I.M. - Kiss Of Dawn - B-
Decent, but not remarkable, metal but not loud, screechy or sludgy. Essentially, the prototype H.I.M. song.
Deepfield - Get It - B-
Not bad for a debut, but nothing really notable.
Yellowcard - Light Up The Sky - B-
A typical unremarkable emo pop song from Yellowcard. Dull, but not awful.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Your Guardian Angel - B-
Dull, but not particularly irritating.
Within Temptation - What Have You Done - B-
A halfway decent Evanescence rip-off that doesn't get annoying as fast as most Evanescence songs.
Travis - Closer - B-
A far below average tune from Travis is boring and too slow with no notable hooks.
Pepper - Your Face - B-
Lousy lyrics hold back an otherwise alright song.
Wired All Wrong - Elevatin' - C+
A dull indie pop song that doesn't take off.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - False Pretense - C+
A particularly dull pop punk song with a lousy hook.
Buckcherry - Broken Glass - C+
Buckcherry minus a solid hook = just plain average.
Trivium - The Rising - C+
A fairly dumb metal song with a lame chorus and no notable solos to prop it up.
Jesse Malin - Broken Radio - C+
A dull, adult contemporary song with no hook to it. Not a fun experience.
Atreyu - Becoming The Bull - C+
Above average for a metal song, but still nothing more than ordinary.
Hurt - Ten Ton Brick - C
I'd like to say this is a disappointment, but I've never had high hopes for this particular metal band in the first place.
Five Finger Death Punch - The Bleeding - C
Yet another new sludge metal band with little going for it. These things must breed in litters...
Circus Diablo - Loaded - C
A completely average metal song with nothing distinct to prop it up.
Blaqk Audio - Stiff Kittens - C
A dull techno-flavored indie song with an 80s sound and not a lot going for it.
Underoath - You're Ever So Inviting - D+
Typical death metal. Swirling guitars ruined by wretched vocals.
Hellyeah - Alcohaulin' Ass - D+
A dumb, metal song with terrible lyrics and a bad hook. This is the type of stuff Saliva thinks is too cheesy.
Three Days Grace - The Animal I Have Become - D
What's the appeal of this band anyway? I just don't get it. Their music isn't pleasant sounding, they don't have great hooks or lyrics or musical skills but for some reason this is the most popular rock song at the moment? Does anyone know why?
Three Days Grace - Pain - D-
I'd would also rather have you feel pain than nothing at all, Three Days Grace. Lots of pain. Enough pain to equal the suffering you've caused anyone with a radio in the last 4 years.
(Hed) P.E. - Suffa - F
A stupid and annoying garbage metal song. Completely worthless.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Modern Rock Update
Albums:
The top debut of the week goes to As I Lay Dying's "An Ocean Between Us" at #8.
Cartel debuted at #20.
Rilo Kiley debuted at #22.
The New Pornographers debuted at #34.
Also debuting this week was Aiden at #54, Sixx:AM at #62, and the Halloween Soundtrack at #82.
Modern Rock:
The Foo Fighters stayed at #1 for a second week with "The Pretender".
Debuting at #19 this week is the new single from Kid Rock. I haven't heard it, but the title is "So Hott" and that really pisses me off.
Mainstream Rock:
Three Days Grace stayed at #1 with "Never Too Late".
Ozzy Osbourne debuts at #20 with "Not Going Away", the second single off of his latest album.
The top debut of the week goes to As I Lay Dying's "An Ocean Between Us" at #8.
Cartel debuted at #20.
Rilo Kiley debuted at #22.
The New Pornographers debuted at #34.
Also debuting this week was Aiden at #54, Sixx:AM at #62, and the Halloween Soundtrack at #82.
Modern Rock:
The Foo Fighters stayed at #1 for a second week with "The Pretender".
Debuting at #19 this week is the new single from Kid Rock. I haven't heard it, but the title is "So Hott" and that really pisses me off.
Mainstream Rock:
Three Days Grace stayed at #1 with "Never Too Late".
Ozzy Osbourne debuts at #20 with "Not Going Away", the second single off of his latest album.
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