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Curious about Straylight Run’s new record “The Space The Needle” and how it sounds? Well it looks like you’ll be able to stream the whole thing from their Myspace page.
Note: The exclusive ad’s for the stream are up, but it doesn’t appear to be live yet, so keep refreshing till it is. Once you hear it let us know what you think of the record
The Wall Street Journal wrote about CD sales being down recently, but Business Week has an article that comments on what the WSJ said, saying that it is because DVD sales are up. With so many more movie sales, people’s budget pushed CD sales down. What do you think?
In the vain of Matt Costa, Matt Wertz, and the likes is a new artist I recently discovered, Jeff Caylor. His CD release party for the new record “Okay” is tonight in Colorado Springs
Check out some songs right here.
The Smashing Pumpkins have released the cover for their new Cd which releases July 10th.
Later this year Amazon.com will be launching a DRM free music store. Itunes will also be going DRM free later this month with all releases from EMI.
Artist: Sullivan
Album: Cover Your Eyes
Label: Tooth and Nail Record
Purchase: Interpunk
Release Date: June 5th, 2007
Overall: 7.5
Music: 7.0
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.0
With a style that most people would categorize probably as “Alternative Rock†I feel as if Sullivan falls into a small category which most people don’t recognize, “Vocal Rockâ€. Bands will be defined by a number of things but bands like My Chemical Romance and Coheed and Cambria are ones that are defined by the singer’s voice. The vocals in a sense make the band what they are. Sullivan, in my opinion, falls into the Vocal Rock category with the unique pipes that Brooks Paschal lets shine on their first, and now sophomore record “Cover Your Eyesâ€.
Right from the moment the record starts with the static verse, it draws you in with its lyrics that walk the melody tightrope. “F-stop†is a straight ahead “turn it up†rock song that any Sullivan fan would be right at home with. Overall “Cover Your Eyes†seems a little bit more focused than the debut album “Hey, I’m a Ghost†was. The Music and style of the songs on the album feel more like an intentional effort more than simply a collection of songs that got grouped together.
While it’s hard to fault any songs directly as “bad†songs, rather some songs simply fall victim to bad parts. “Great for my Collection†and “Dig Me Up†are ones that are OK, but simply feel like they could have been better.
“Fire Away†and “Olive Branch†are some of the stand out tracks on the record. These songs are unique and stretch the bands reach to some listeners they may not have reached before. “Olive Branch†is a perfect acoustic gem that adds a softer side to the rock album. The album closer “Fire Away†is probably the bands greatest song to date. The song begins with airy music with vocals to match. The verses lay down a firm foundation for the song to build from which it does continually and does not let up until the end.
I hate saying that this band has “matured” musically, but they really have and it shines through wonderfully on the album. Please check out some songs they’ve put up. Even if you weren’t a huge fan before Sullivan definitely deserves a second look.
Tracklisting
1 Fstop
2 Goodbye Miss Havisham
3 Tell Me I’m Wrong
4 Great For My Collection
5 Florida Queen
6 The Olive Branch
7 The Process
8 Dig Me Up
9 Israel Hands
10 Fire Away
Artist: William Tell
Album: You Can Hold Me Down
Label: New Door Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: March 6th, 2007
Overall: 6.5
Music: 6.0
Lyrics: 6.0
Production: 4.5
Starting in the band Something Corporate, which most people would consider a fairly successful band only to leave seemingly suddenly to work on his solo career, William Tell finally has released his debut album for all to hear and judge him on.
Well I think Mr. Tell should have stuck to cranking out piano rock in Something Corporate because although his debut album is OK, it just does not leave you fulfilled. William has a solid voice and it blends to the music very well. Songs like “Young at heart†showcase the singer’s sense of urgency and comes off as a believable lead singer. Songs like “Jeannie†though don’t hit their marks, both musically and vocally and leave a lot to be desired.
The production on the album is mediocre at best and is probably the worst part of “You Can Hold Me Downâ€. There are a few songs that try to be emotional and almost ballad like but that lack of good production brings them down.
With all that said, I still do like the record. There are a lot of songs that are so catchy it will drive you crazy, but there are just some smaller things that bring the record down and it’s a shame. I recommend Checking out some songs before making the purchase, just in case you feel the same as I do. Who knows maybe William made the right choice to ditch SoCo and do his own thing, with the way he has been being pushing marketing wise I wouldn’t be surprised if he made it big.
Tracklisting
1. Jeannie
2. Slipping Under (Sing Along To Your Favorite Song)
3. Maybe Tonight
4. Fairfax (You’re Still The Same)
5. Like You, Only Sweeter
6. Trouble
7. Young At Heart
8. Sounds
9. Just For You
10. You Can Hold Me Down
Well the stars aligned and everything fell into place like it was an accident but things like this don’t just happen. On July 17th the kids will come out from hiding in the hills and descend on unknowing retailers to pick up one of the records that’s bound to be a 2007 favorite.
MxPx — Secret Weapon
Motion City Soundtrack — Even If It Kills Me [Now Sept. 18th]
Rooney — Calling The World
The Rocket Summer — Do You Feel
Sound The Alarm — Stay Inside
Yellowcard — Paper Walls
At least one of these records mentioned above is on everyone’s list of records that they are looking forward to. There are a lot of Tuesday’s in which you like a few of the releases so what makes this one so appealing? There are actually several reasons July 17th garners so much attention.
A couple of these releases are make or break releases. Mxpx has been around close to 15 years and surprises most people by continuing to release records on a regular basis. Is “Secret Weapon†Mxpx’s last record? If the release does not go so well it is definitely in the realm of possibility. I don’t think this will be the last we see of Yellowcard if “Paper Walls†tanks but I think this will be the record to reconnect the band with long time fans or it will be the final straw, alienating “One for the Kids†and “Ocean Avenue†fans.
Bryce Avary of The Rocket Summer has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is a talented musician and can that write a great song. Each Rocket Summer record has been better than the previous and so with the band moving to a major label there is a lot of expectations with the newest record “Do You Feelâ€. With the single “Break It Out†being released it gives that expectation a firm foundation that it will be fully met.
With the release of so many potential hit records which ones do you spend your money on? If you can’t afford them all (which most can’t) how do you choose which one’s you actually buy? Does July 17th officially mark that summer is officially under way? I think it does.
A new Boys Night Out song “Swift and Unforgiving” can be heard on their myspace page
