Flashback Friday

Sixth studio album from Suburban Tribe is my choice for this weeks flashback. Second Suburban Tribe album for lead singer Ville Tuomi is Manimal, and as the name suggests it is full of raw power coming from the instincts of a hunting beast known as mankind. But just like carnivore in nature have their rest and peaceful moments also this album has it's havens. The album starts strong with You Can't Stop Us Now and Untameable wich was released also as a single. Weight calms the beat a bit and brings in a little feeling of blue with it's chorus just so that Torn Apart and Firedance can bring the speed up again. My personal favorites are songs like Cancer, Swallow, Silent Rain and Drowning. Especially Cancer is one of those that makes me want to sing along, scream those highs with everything I have in me.. I think though that my neighbours wouldn't appreciate it very much..

This album has gotten both good and bad reviews. Most of them compare this album with Korn and Faith No More and lead vocals to Mike Patton. I don't see that kind of comparison being a bad thing since I happen to like them all. I can hear the resemblance with Korn, but with Faith No More or Mike Patton, not so much. Anyhow, I'm loving this band and their music and it's sort of a sad thig they are doing their farewell gigs this weekend. Suburban Tribe has been doing music 20 years and they thought it's a good time to stop in a point where they still are doing good music and being successful.

http://www.suburbantribe.com/
http://www.myspace.com/suburbantribemusic

Tuesday Top 3 (a bit late)

1. The Agonist
2. Crimfall
3. Halestorm

Owl City - All Things Bright And Beautiful

Something more positive and pop for this Monday. Owl City is something totally different I've written about and listened to lately. But the album named All Things Bright And Beautiful certainly suits very well everything from depressing Mondays and sunny, summer Sundays. The album works as a cheer-up or a chill-out music while sippin' your sweet, cold strawberry margarita. :) Just listen to Deer In The Headlights and you'll probably agree with me.

Owl City is basically just a one-man-band put together by Adam Young in 2007 in the basement of his parents. After releasing his music independently through Myspace and iTunes Owl City got a label deal with Universal Republic and is now touring with a band that includes vibraphones, violins and such. Adam Young seem to have stayed the same as he was in the beginning of the Owl City when he was responding to any messages and writing blog constantly, giving a feeling to people that they knew him.

This may not be my cup of tea in the way I'd listen to this every day, time after time but I'm definitely going to remember Owl City when chillin' with my friends in the warm summer sun. Maybe I'll ask the dj to play songs like Yacht Club or Alligator Sky.

http://www.owlcitymusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/owlcity

Flashback Friday

No pretty faces in flashback today. But since the burning summer weather on the northern hemisphere the Def Leppard album Pyromania works just fine. It's an album that maybe isn't quite as popular as the famous Hysteria but this one surely has its highlights and it has sold some serious millions of copies along with the rest of the Leppard albums. The album was released in 1983 and it was produced and mixed by legendary Robert John 'MUTT' Lange, who has also worked with artists such as AC/DC, Nickelback, Foreigner, Bryan Adams, Maroon 5 and lately with Shania Twain.

From this album comes some of the most known Def Leppard hits, Photograph for example. The album starts strong (as they used to in the 80's) with Rock Rock (Till You Drop). And the hard rock beat continues throughout the album, maybe turning into slow ballad style song (Too Late For Love) just to get back up and rockin'. My personal favorite from this album (as if there's any less worthy tracks on the album..) is track number six, Foolin'. The beginning of its lyrics has given me an idea of a tattoo that I'll have one day: "Lady luck never smiles so lend your love to me a while.." What the tattoo will be, I won't tell, but instead I can assure you that this album is definitely worth listening.

http://www.defleppard.com/
http://www.myspace.com/defleppard

Tuesday Top 3

1. Axegressor - Next
2. 3 Doors Down - Time Of My Life
3. Adept - Death Dealers

Axegressor - Next

Whether you are into thrash or not, Finnish Axegressor is the band you should remember. And especially their new release named Next. The band was formed in 2006 and a year later they released Axecution, which immediately raised the band into the spotlight in thrash circles. Their album is released by Dethrone Music as was their previous album. With this new album Axegressor has become better than before and faster than any other band in the land of thousand lakes. Riffs and lyrics sound more angry than before. And if the cover art for this album resembles a time after nuclear explosion, time after war, then I would say that seeing this band perform live is like being in the middle of it, that's how much there's energy on the stage. It is no wonder that this band gets invited to big festivals and to perform with famous bands.

Thrash circles probably get all warmed up with songs like SS-18 "Satan" and Justified Distrust. My personal top 2 is Star Inverted and Black & White Death Race. I've bought this album to my collection already and haven't had any regrets. Just wishing somebody would buy their lead singer, Johnny Nuclear Winter, some new, proper pants to wear on stage as well. ;D

http://www.myspace.com/axegressorthrashmetal

Flashback Friday

We all know Tommy Lee as a drummer of Mötley Crüe. But Tommy Lee's done a couple of solo albums as well, of which Tommyland - The Ride from 2005 is the latest one. I gotta say I like the previous album, Never A Dull Moment, more but chose this one for today just because I happen to love the positive vibe on this album. Just watch the video for Good Times and you'll probably understand what I mean. The album was released at the same time with his autobiography Tommyland and works very well as a soundtrack for the book (Not that the book needs any soundtrack, but I'll get to that later on with my book reviews.). This album shouldn't be overanalyzed but be enjoyed as it is, simple, good-times music for hanging out, chilling in the park maybe while snuggle with someone special. Hello Again suits that snuggle part particularly well. If a bit more attitude needed the third track Tryin' To Be Me is your choice. Or Tired (with Joel Madden from Good Charlotte) which doesn't hide at all to whom it's meant.

This album certainly isn't the same caliber with what we've learned to expect from the guys of Mötley. But it works after all. I Need You or Make Believe or Makin' Me Crazy are great when compared to the right music genre, pop. (It ain't rock but..) A bit of pop occasionally won't harm any of us. ;) And there's nothing wrong about being and feeling positive. I know I'll keep on listening to it every now and then with a smile on my face. And luckily Mötley still keeps on touring because one thing is sure: Tomme Lee is kicking every critic's ass while sitting behind his drum-set!! (I dare you, you try yourself to do it bigger and better every time when getting on stage, still after all those years..)

http://tommylee.com/

http://www.myspace.com/tommyleetv

Tuesday Top 3

1. Theory Of A Deadman - The Truth Is...

2. Rival Sons - Pressure & Time

3. Jake Owen - Easy Does It

Theory Of A Deadman - The Truth Is...

Lately I've found myself spotting new bands that play same type of rock music and have other things incommon, like the bands they've been on tour with. Theory Of A Deadman is one of those bands. The band has been on tour with Alter Bridge, as have done Adelita's Way, Black Stone Cherry. Daughtry has been mentioned as well on in T.O.A.D's bio as well as Mötley Crüe. But it's no wonder when you listen to their music and especially their latest album The Truth Is...

This Canadian band opens their album with a track named Lowlife. Lead vocalist and lead guitarist Tyler Connolly tells on band's homepage that the song was made for a fun anthem. Their fans aren't wearing suits and don't have diamond necklaces and the song kind of tells that it's ok to be a regular person who likes to party and sing rock'n'roll music. With such thoughts behind a song, it's hardly any surprise that the song speaks to people. And the thing I like about this band is that they're not too serious about their music (while being all serious about it). Listen for example their song The Truth Is... [I Lied About Everything]. I laughed out loud. And then listen to Out Of My Head. That's what I love about this band, they pretty much cover all the feelings and thoughts a person could have. You might predict my verdict for this album: it's a keeper, a must-have.

http://www.theoryofadeadman.com/

http://www.myspace.com/theoryofadeadman

Flashback Friday

This weeks flashback comes from Paramore. The album is named Riot! and it sure sounds like it. The band was formed in 2004 in Tennessee and the album was released in 2007. It is a good combination of female vocals, honest lyrics, awesome drum beats and subtle guitar and bass. The guitar is actually so subtle that you barely notice it while listening to the album and it backfills the lead vocals of Hayley Williams perfectly. The album starts with two great songs: For A Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic and That's What You Get. These two songs define the rest of the album pretty well and even more so if we'll add the third track, Hallelujah, to the list. In Hallelujah the guitar and bass are sort of mixing-up with the vocals, from time to time you nitce the guitar and a second later your focus is back on the vocals.

The album has sold two million copies world wide. I guess it's no wonder with such catchy songs like Misery Business and Crushcrushcrush. Listen to those and they'll stuck to your head playing over and over again. Butthe album has some peaceful moments as well, which is good, even anarchists and punk rockers need a little rest from time to time. We Are broken is that kind of peaceful and moving song. But don't you believe just my words, visit their homepage and listen the album yourself. I'm heading out to the sun to check out this band live. :)

http://www.paramore.net/
http://www.myspace.com/paramore

Tuesday Top 3

1. Rival Sons - Pressure & Time
2. Devin Townsend Project - Ghost
3. Buckcherry - Black Butterfly

Rival Sons - Pressure & Time

What a sound! What a boogie!! Rival Sons isn't exactly my type of music but their album Pressure & Time is certainly growing on me. I was anxious to find out more about this wonderful band but I was a bit disappointed how little there is actual (reliable?!) info about the band in the internet to find. No bio on their homepage, only interviews here and there give some little details about this band from California. But these guys are on their way to fame with that bluesy rock they play. Opening up for such rock acts as AC/DC, Alice Cooper and Kid Rock proves that. And if that isn't enough of a proof I think that at least the fact that they're signed to Earache Records, that has mostly trash and metal bands under their roof talks to their benefit.

Another little interesting detail I found is that their album cover art is made by Storm Thorgerson, an artist known for iconic album covers for Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Genesis and many more. So they have a complete package to offer if you are ready to take it. And why wouldn't you from such a great band.. Just listen to the title track and watch the video and you'll probably find yourself caught to their web. Opening track All Over The Road ain't a bad choise either. And I also fell in love with the song named Burn Down Los Angeles.

http://www.rivalsons.com/
http://www.myspace.com/rivalsons

Flashback Friday

Good mood music today. Buckcherry's album 15 is one of those albums you can listen when on a good mood, on a party mood or just cleaning up the place. :D And not to forget one of my long-time theme songs come from this album, Crazy Bitch. The group was formed in sunny California, for the first time, with a name Sparrow. The band released this album in 2007 after reviving the band in 2005. The album spent amazing 98 weeks on the Billboard Top 200 and got their first ever Top 10 hit, Sorry. I'd say it was worth reviving the band. Even the following album Black Butterfly was a success even though I think that 15 is the better one out of these two.

The two hits already mentioned aren't the only good tracks on the album. The opening track So Far is full of attitude. Continued with such a great song, Next 2 You, this band is pretty close to finding the perfect mix of rock'n'roll. The third track Next 2 You is one of my favorites as well. Keeping the music simple enough and Josh Todd's voice makes this band different from others. I happen to love Todd's vocals, it's easily recognised from everyone else's, just like it is with every big rockstar. You wouldn't make the mistake of mixing, lets say, Steven Tyler from Aerosmith with Michael Jackson, would you..?! And you can't make the same mistake with Todd either.

http://www.buckcherry.com/

http://www.myspace.com/buckcherry