Most Anticipated Albums 2009 Update:
In the first Ten shows of Rock The Walls, most episodoes[with the exception of 1 or 2] featured 1 to 2 bands that would be releasing albums that were highly anticipated by the music scene: Wether it was on a global[blink 182] or national [billy talent] scale. Here is a update of what's going on with those bands, how their releases went and more.
A Day To Remember: Homesick
Release Date: February 3rd(Victory Records)
The album dropped the day the show did, but was still featured regardless. An Album that was highly anticipated by not only pop punk fans but also hardcore fans, two genres over the years that have blended so nicely[depending on the bands you are talking about]. Their sophomore album produced by fellow floridian[or floridense] and pop punk legend Chad Gilbert, ADTR once again takes the catchyness of a pop punk song and throws in "br00tal" breakdowns throughout the way. The album has recieved quite a bit of critical acclaim, even being featured in Revolver, known to be a Hard Rock/Metal Magazine with a the headline "A Day To Remember: Pop Punk Metal". The Downfall Of Us All, the first track and single off the album has recieved a great reception, and was featured in Rock Band 2 two weeks ago.
Regardless of what the Magazines/Critics say, This album is a must-pickup. Lyrics mostly focus on how tough life is on the road and being away from home. They wrapped up a tour with The Devil Wears Prada in late April, and are enjoying the summer sun, playing The Vans Warped Tour in it's entirity. Expect them to tour in the fall with a band like Set Your Goals/August Burns Red.
My Picks: Another Song For The Weekend, I'm Made Of Wax Larry What Are You Made Of?, Homesick
New Found Glory: Not Without A Fight
Release Date: March 10th (Epitaph Records)
A record I pumped WAY up on the show while questioning the lack of maturing on NFG's part, Not Without A Fight is one of my favourite NFG albums. It takes elements from Coming Home, Sticks and Stones, and the Tip Of the Iceberg EP and nicely blends them all together to bring fans once again to their feet for The Undisputed Pop Punk Champs hailing from Coral Springs, Florida. Doing a favour for the band as they were without a label at the time, The Album was Produced by Good Friend Mark Hoppus during the Summer of 2008 in his home studio.
Right out of the gates NFG reminds fans that they haven't gone anywhere or changed a damn thing. The record is vintage NFG, with some new, harder tracks that take inspiration from the other "persona" these guys are apart of, the international superheroes of hardcore[see truckstop blues]. It as well brings one of my favourite instrumental openings to a song ever, "this isn't you" where the first 30seconds is a infectious riff couple with boloski making you can't help but to air drum along. There are[in my opinion] a few tracks in the middle of the record that slows it down a bit, but overall it is more great pop punk for summer, you should no doubt pick up.
favourite tracks: Such A Mess, Listen To Your Friends, This Isn't You
Blink 182: [Untitled/TBA]
Release Date: Fall 2009
The biggest Punk reunion ever happened at the Grammys February 8th,2009 with Blink 182 announcing their comeback. It really is a shame that a near fatal plane crash for barker was what finally made the three connect again. Through the TV appearances thus far, they haven't sounded too great, with some people pointing the finger at Tom "singing like he is still in Angels and Airwaves".
The band has written a new song, a post-hardcore track different from their pop punk/alternative rock sound entitled "The Night the Moon Was Gone" (Hoppus' alternate title: "The Day the Sun Said Suck It"); the song was co-written by DeLonge and Hoppus, who both sing on it. DeLonge says the song sounds like a lost track from the untitled album; While Hoppus stated that, "Lyrically, it's all about how everybody has the same wants, fears and desires. No matter who you are, no matter what vantage point. At the end of the day, everyone just wants to get by." Currently, the band has no target or estimated release date for the forthcoming album and Hoppus says if it takes a year to record, it will take a year to record.I, however have heard from various sources that the album will drop in October/November.
While Hoppus has kept busy producing this year for the likes of Motion City Soundtrack, Saosin, Panic At The Disco and co-wrote a song with All Time Low, the band will head out on tour with various support in rotation through the two month and 1 week run, which starts in Vegas July 23rd and ends October 3rd in Atlantic City including: Weezer, Fall Out Boy, All American Rejects, Panic At The Disco, Asher Roth[WUT], Chester French[LOLWUT], Motion City Soundtrack, Valencia, and Taking Back Sunday. 9 different bands, man that's crazy. Obviously only 3-4 bands/artist will be playing each date. I am still scratching my head over the decision of Chester French and Asher Roth but I guess a little variety is never a bad thing.
Either way, Fall release or not, expect this to drop and the music scene to explodes like a stick of dynamite, as everyone eats this shit up.
Billy Talent: III
Release Date: July 14th
An Album that I have been looking toward ever since II came out, Billy Talent III met and succeeded my expectations, getting the chance to listen to this fine album over a month early. The only Canadian band featured as a Most Anticipated release of 2009 on the show[thus far] and six-time juno winners, III Produced by Brendan O'Brien[Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers. Sound Garden] kicks off in style with Devil On My Shoulder, featuring a bassline everyone has to to love and expect from BT. The album is filled with songs that [to me] people will maybe not like on first listen, but will largely grow[see Diamond On A Landmine]. A bit slower and darker then the previous two albums, III packs some bad-ass riffs and with the Special Edition comes with "guitar villian" a second CD with the guitar taken out, so you can play along to it. The double disc comes with a poster featuring all the tabs. How badass is that?
If you haven't already had the chance to listen to it, rush out to stores July 14th and pick this one up. Upon first listen you may pass this off, but it is a album that grows with time. I personally suggest doing something that you don't really need your mind for while listening to the album WITH EARPHONES IN to apperciate this album in full. Great album. Great band. Rock on Billy Talent.
My picks: Saint Veronica, Diamond On A Landmine, Definition Of Destiny
.
Brand New: Daisy
Release Date: September 22nd
A Band that all resembles the classic sex,drugs, and rock n roll type "we're going to break up. no were not." On and off again scenario highlighted twice in the past year, Brand New's Album, due out September 22nd may just be the most anticipated album of the year. Most recently in a interview, where Lead Singer Jesse Lacey talks about the possibility of the band "ending" and how Vinnie Accardi[backing vocals/guitar] wrote "alot" of lyrics for the new record.
Old News to BN fans, An episode happened August 2008 in Chicago at Lollapalooza[did i spell that right?] when Lacey was telling the crowd they were stupid for watching them, that they should be watching Explosions In The Sky[awesome instrumental post-rock band from Texas. Check'em out], and topping off the further spectulation when he hucked off his guitar in the direction of drummer Brian Lane at the end of their set nearly hitting him, with Brian looking quite pissed.
If this is the Rocky Chemistry that sees the upcoming Brand New release top The Death and God Are Raging Inside Of Me, I'll take it. Expect this sometime between September and October.
Set Your Goals: This Will Be The Death Of Us
Release Date: July 21th (Epitaph Records)
A Band I admittingly only got into in October of last year, Set Your Goals is what music is all about. Their sophomore album, titled "This Will Be The Death Of Us" is set to drop July 21st and after hearing two tracks[the title track and gaia bleeds] I would have to say this is THE most anticipated album of the year for me thus far. This Will be The Death Of Us opens the album nicely, but as the track comes to a end in set your goals style it goes right into the next, the song cuts off. What a tease! The second track released, Gaia Bleeds(Make Way For Man) is the hardest song SYG has ever wrote.
The album produced by Mike Green[Paramore, The Matches] has been said by the band to be more serious than their debut Mutiny!. TWTDOU features a plethoria of guests you'd expect on a hip-hop album[not that these people would ever be on a hip hop album, but the idea of featuring so many people] including Hayley Williams of Paramore, Vinnie Caranna of The Movielife/I Am The Avalanche, and John Gula [ex Turmoil]. Just before the album releases and a bit over two weeks away, the band will head out on a Co-headlining tour with another RTW Favourite, Four Year Strong. The tour is a MUST-SEE with Fireworks on the entire tour, and Grave Maker, The Swellers, Drive A, A Loss For Words, Drive A and Polar Bear Club supporting on various dates throughout. Get your moshing shoes ready, because this album and tour is going to be off the fucking walls on Rock The Walls.
Rancid: Let The Dominoes Fall
Release Date: June 2nd(Epitaph Records)
(Coming soon...just picked it up a few days ago)
All Time Low: Nothing Personal
Release Date: July 7th(Hopeless Records)
The quartet foul-mouthed shit disturbers from Maryland,Virginia have gotten used to the hordes of screaming girls worldwide, but are they ready to explode into the mainstream with their third album Nothing Personal, due out next tuesday? If a bands like Paramore and Fall Out Boy are any indication, the pop punk quartet will explode
with Nothing Personal. Produced by Matt Squire[Taking Back Sunday, Panic At The Disco, Boys Like Girls], Butch Walker [co-written and produced Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne, Midtown] and David Bendeth[Killswitch Engage, UnderOath, Paramore] the album is FILLED with single-potential reeking from every song. The first track and single off the album Weightless was featured on the show and what really caught my ears as the possibility to another great pop punk album up there with the likes of Blink and New Found Glory. The song is filled with the type of energy and hooks fans have come to expect and love. The album for the most part is pretty good, all previous fans will eat this up like spaghetti tuesday at east side mario's, and in the process attracting ALOT of new fans.
The only thing I can say I truly dislike about this album some of the electronics used. It seems like some songs were a bit overproduced. The closing song, Therapy[when comparing it to last record So Wrong It's Right acoustic ballad, remembering sunday] just isn't up to the standards you'd expect. Too Much sounds like a HelloGoodbye song with the electronic beat machine in full force. Still with a few blemishes, the album is a great piece of pop punk with catchy lyrics and guitar hooks that I am sure the lovers of ATL will fall in love with all over again, and make the haters burn even more All Time Low shirts for stealing their girlfriends.
Pick it up next tuesday and tell me what you think. Much like the BT record, some songs grow on you after a couple of listens.
My picks include: Weightless, Walls, and Break Your Little Heart.
Motion City Soundtrack: Untitled/TBA
Release Date: Fall 2009(Columbia)
The fourth album by the band that largely introduced me into this scene of music, Motion City Soundtrack have been keeping it on the DL, releasing two short Webisodes while recording the album and not really saying too much. Drummer Tony Thaxton broke his arm in january, posting x-rays up on his twitter revealing a chilling break in two places. This further delayed the recording of the album and even saw one of their techs known to us MCS die-hards as Claudio(who also happened to play drums on Sing It Loud's track, Come Around). A few months ago Mark Hoppus posted on his twitter "working titles/names" on the new MCS record. Titles included Hysteria, and Twilight Song, which I can only assume is a song for the new twilight movie, New Moon. I put this together due to the fact that the author of twilight mentions MCS in her books a few times, it'd seem logical they would ask. Could we see them blow up? Only time will tell[and violins will swell].
What puts me at ease about their major label debut after being with Epitaph their first three records is the fact the record was produced by the man behind the bands second album, Pop Punk Masterpiece Commit This To Memory; none other then Mark Hoppus, who seems to be producing records as if it was the swine flu, making his rounds[and rightfully so, the man is a genuis] with all the bands mentioned about in the NFG bit.
In my opinion this album will truly make or break Motion City. They are all off doing side-projects, with Jesse/Tony starting toy and collectible business, josh busy producing records, and Justin directing movies. Matt Taylor, what have you been up to my good man? Hopefully just relaxing and not back at the old paramount park you were at in high school at the hot dog stand we dreadfully talked about in a previous interview. Like Matt would read this.
We've all heard major label horror stories from New Found Glory to Thrice and many other bands. We'll see what happens come fall!
No comments:
Post a Comment