White men can't jump, or rap... Unless you are a honkie named Marshall Mathers.

Okay, I know that the title to this latest post might get people's hearts pumping and a little pissed. Well if that is the case I'm sorry, and take it up with that little thing called the Constitution and it's first ten little amendments called the Bill of Rights.

Okay enough about politics and back to music. So this past week I took the time to listen to Pittsburgh, PA's home town MC, Mac Miller's new album "Blue Slide Park". Now I have to say that it was not as cool as all the hype made it out to be. One of the interesting things about the version that I sampled on Spotify, was the commentary version. Now I'm all for listening to bands ideas on certain projects and stuff, but during episodes of VH-1's "Behind the Music" or "Storyteller", not on the "freaking CD!" I mean come on? Do you think that I really care about what inspired each and every song on the album?

That being said the production of the album was lacking in many ways. If there is any credit that I can provide Mr. Miller, is that his production team did a great job of trying to maintain the integrity of old-school beats and samples that made Hip-hop a prominent force within the Music Industry. Beyond that, "Blue Slide Park" was like listening to a Jim Henson Muppet rhyming about his memories of a hard-knock life living in PA.  

"Lost Children"? "Children of the Corn?..." Same Difference.

So I know that I have been MIA for a couple of days and stuff, so my apologies for not posting anything the last few days. That being said, while I was away, I listening to some new albums at a two day training for work. Yeah I had an ear-bud plugged in while they were talking about some crap on...
...OOPS! Wait I was really paying attention. ;)

Okay look, here's the deal.  I was listening to Disturbed's latest creation called "Lost Children". Aside from the fact that the band was probably watching a ton of cheese-ball 80's horror movies that lead to the inspiring scream theme title, "Lost Children", it's really a good record.

Now I have to say that I'm not the biggest fan of Disturbed, however, this little number had me shaking my head and fist in the air (not at the training because that would be awkward). The band maintains their hard and heavy sound along with their really pseudo-political and cultural lyrics that make you think about the reason why you plan on punching your boss in the face. From the pounding double kick patterns of Mike Wengren, to the tribal-like war cries of David Draiman; Disturbed's newest project is one to get you kicking and punching all the way to the office? No wait, I meant mosh pit. YIKES!

"The Vision" Will Get you Moving

What is 'The Vision", and who is Joker? Well this is a new pop-house number that will really get you moving. Joker's debut album isn't something that you will hear blowing up you local radio stations, but it is a little something that is worth investing in.

With the rise of house DJ's such as, David Gueta reaching chart topping success, and collaborating with know artist, Joker offers a more in depth look into the would of House Music Mixing. "The Vision", is something is great to keep the party going, but not want to force people to kill themselves due to excessive strobe lighting, and an army of glow-stick carrying rave nerds. Joker's approach is a little more mellow and would do wonders for a quiet moment in your house sipping a glass of aged brandy in a pimp snifter.  

"The Vision" has not been getting great review from other music review pages, but you know what this is my page and I like it! So you other tools who didn't like Joker can "KISS IT!" I like it and that is all that matter, and if you are following the Down Beat support the man and formulate your own opinion.

Aaahhhh...
...Music the ongoing, evolving, art that is subjective to all it's listener. "LOVE IT!" Enjoy this project and keep looking for more insight on some new music.

If You Blame Canada... "RUSH WILL KICK YOUR ASS!"

So what do you get when you have three close friends, who have been true to themselves, their fans, and "aboout" (a little Canadian humor there) the creative process in their music? The answer to this fun filled equation is the legendary progressive rock group, RUSH!

RUSH has managed to maintain a prolific career that has truly influenced everyone who has taken the time to listen to their iconic music. They are the band that will get you, your dad, and (if you were born sometime in the 1990) possibly you Grandpa slamming your fists in the air with "ROCK AWESOMENESS" because they can. RUSH has managed to maintain a loyalty of their fans for decades and continues to expand their cultic following to younger generations.

Now as I was saying before. RUSH has influence a lot of people. Part of the band's influence can be heard in many of the rock artist that we all love and admire today. RUSH has made a mark in music history no matter what anyone says. The band has successfully completed their "Time Machine Tour", bringing the power and force of classic albums such as "Moving Pictures", and their anthemic musical portrait, "2112". The super-trio continues to "wow" people from start to finish.

This power-trio has aged magnificently towards musical perfection over a thirty year period. It is clear that RUSH has no plans of stopping, and the proof of their continued march towards conquest, is highlighted in the bands performances of two new singles entitled "BU2B" and "Caravan". Despite the dynamic super-trio being in their sixties, they continue to know their audience and understand the constant evolutions of Rock Music. These two tracks are harder and heavy, making RUSH forever relevant in "Rock'n Roll's Pantheon." Due to the band phenomenal success and reviews of their tour, RUSH has put out a live album showcasing new, and classic tracks from their catalog. RUSH will also provide their fans with a front row seat to the "Time Machine Tour" with the release of the show available on Blu-ray and standard DVD. If you are a RUSH fan, or looking for a piece of rocking music history, you need to get this album. Looking forward to what RUSH will serve up next.

Let's Get a Little Country Up In Here!

So Miranda Lambert has a new album and it's a real "YEEEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAWWWWWW of a good time y'all!" Okay so let's take a moment and understand a few things shall we?

Now for those of you who have been interested in my little attempt at journalism and music reviewing, as well as, those of you who know me personally; it's a pretty fair bet to say that you would have never thought in your wildest imagination that I would listen to country music, let alone like any of it. I mean, I'm 5'10, 237lbs with a fo-hawk, tatts, and I play drums. You would think that I'm in some kind of emo-indie-rock band, and that all I listen to is punk, metal, and rock music. Well
(I hope you are seated for this part)...
...I like Country Music (along with everything else) and believe it or not...
...I play drums for a lot of things; one of which is a Country band here in South Florida. Now let me just be clear. I don't have a killer belt buckle collection or sport some tight jeans rocking a 10 gallon hat. I'm a t-shirt and jeans kinda guy, but I dig me some Country. Yeah I know that it's been stereotyped, and most people think that every country song has to do with: a broken down truck parked on your front lawn. Your dog yeller running away off and your can't find him, and drinking parties every night...
...Okay well, the last one about drinking tends to be true and a recurring topic withing country songs, but hey it's good music! So back to Miranda's new album "Four The Record".

 
Now when I heard this little diddy, I was surprised at how smooth it felt. This is a great homage to the old bluesy/jazzie style of old country music. The album is gritty and a little dark at times, giving you a real classic, but unique approach to the timeless method of storytelling that Country Music is known for. My favorite track on the album is "Easy Living", which really takes you back to that time when country legends were just making names for themselves. Miranda is a little risky and likes to let you know it. Her honest approach to her writing style melts your heart or kicks you in the teeth at the same time, making her one of Country Musics most powerful storytellers and entertainers. If you want to expand your musical pallet, check out "Four The Record" and get your "twang on". 

"Katy!" I'm "The One That Got Away!"

Okay so I was on Youtube this afternoon and came across Katy Perry's page. After I stopped gauking at her picture...

...Okay, before we go any further, I need to be honest with you and just come out with it...
... I have had a crush on Katy since she hit the air waves. Okay better now.

So now let's get back to the matter at hand. Katy will be debuting her next single's video, "The One That Got Away" on November 11th. Katy's sophomore album, 'Teenage Dream" has been killing the charts for while now. The album has had chart topping singles after single, and this next little number will be sure to continue to propel Katy towards pop legend.

Eisley's number 4

Well, what do you know. There is another band that is comprised of siblings and a cousin that isn't "The Kings of Leon." Are you kidding me?!...

...Well believe it or not there is, and that is exactly what the Tyler, Texas band Eisley is through and through.

Eisley became a reality in 1997. Over the course of the 14 years the band has managed to produce 4 studio albums, bringing their alt-folk-indie sound to the masses. For me, one of the coolest projects that turned me onto this little obscure masterpiece was the bands 2007 CD, LP "Combinations". The minute I got my hands on that album I found myself lost in a really creative world that embodies Celtic vocal howls with some killer guitar riffs and fun drum grooves. For me the best track on "Combinations" is "Invasion". That is the song that sold me on Eisley's unique style, so when I heard that there was a new album that hit this year, I was ready to explode.

"The Valley" is another interesting interpretation of the bands very stylized musical approach. It maintains the very deep and personal lyrics that grab the bands listeners into a place of self identification/expression. The band continues to grow in their creative approach of writing, and intertwines fun grooves with some hard hitting content. Eisley is a great find, and if you haven't heard of them take a minute and enjoy. The band finished their "Valley Scapes Tour" this past September. The more you support, the grater the chance Eisley may pop up in your home town. For more information on this 5 piece ensemble, visist www.eisley.com.