Demon Song

Albums I Missed: 2011

Okay so I'm reading The New York Times and come across an article that decries the artistic decrepitude of rock. Hey, I disagree with it, but what are you going to do. Most of the comments agree with the guy but a lot trot out albums that prove him wrong and a lot of them are things I just plain missed so here is a quicky list of stuff I need to listen to.

The Black Keys: El Camino
Yeah I know why I didn't listen to this Album but well I'm hearing good things so I'll probably eventually pick it up.

Wilco: The Whole Love

The Decemberists: The King is Dead and Long Live the King

Wild Flag: Wild Flag

Radiohead: The King of Limbs

Cage the Elephant: Thank You Happy Birthday

Mastodon: The Hunter

Joe Bonamassa: Dust Bowl

My top 10 Music Albums of 2011

10. Chickenfoot: Chickenfoot III





9. Royce Da 5'9: Success is Certain




8. Foo Fighters: Wasting Light




7. DJ Shadow: The Less You Know the Better





6. Roots: Undun





5. Mary J. Blige: My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)




4. Adele: 21




3. Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears: Scandalous





2. The Memorials: The Memorials




1. Beastie Boys: Hot Sauce Committee Part Two




Honorable Mention
Limp Bizkit: Gold Cobra


Look the only reason why it isn't on the list is because when making this list it would lose me cred, but you know what? I don't care. It's a fun album, damn it!

I want to Review the Black Keys' New Album but...

Okay. So, I'm trying to find new albums to review and I come across the new Black Keys album. Cool beans... wait a minute. Yep, I can't stream it on rhapsody, which is the main way I listen to music. I pay my 10 bucks a month and can listen to all sorts of music I couldn't afford to buy. But this isn't a post to argue why consumers should get on board with subscription services. Nope it's a plea to the artists. The Black Keys made a deliberate decision not to stream their latest album.

Music Videos - Free Music Videos

First let me speak as a music consumer. I love music. Better yet I love media. But I don't have a lot of money. Subscription services like Rhapsody, Hulu, Netflix and Spotify, seem to me to be a godsend. I pay what I consider a reasonable fee and I get access to media, a lot of which I couldn't afford or wouldn't know about otherwise. I can get it legally, and digitally at will. Honestly. I like these services. I want them to at the very least be a viable option for the consumer, but more and more I hear that it is becoming difficult for services to continue because content providers don't want to get on board. Hate to break it to the Keys but that's them.

My instinct is that for the end user, these services are perfect. If I want music or a movie within minutes I have music or a movie.

Furthermore let me be clear these services are not free. I had a Napster and a Rhapsody subscription, but due to recent events, Rhapsody bought Napster, lets simplify things and just go with the Rhapsody subscription. (I don't use Spotify. It's new so I can't talk about people who use it. I had Rhapsody since 06.) Even before the music industry began to decline (2000) yearly per capita CD sales were about $70. My Rhapsody account is about $10 a month, which comes to $120 a year. And let me be clear I don't have the money to spend on every single album I want to listen to. That's just music that wouldn't cross my ears. As an end user it's a difficult to side with them when words like free start being used. I pay for that music, and I don't like the argument of "It kind of felt unfair to people who purchased our album to allow people to go on a website and stream the album for free whenever they wanted." That is simply not the case.

Now beyond that and this is where I become a bit of an extremist. I believe everything on the internet should be free. Allow me to explain. If somebody wants something on the net they should be able to get it. Now I understand that people deserve to be paid for their work. I think we're in a time of flux where people are trying to find the right business models so that things are at no cost or low cost to the end user, but the right people still get compensated fairly.

Around this time two centuries ago newspapers were having the same argument. For the past 150 with the exception of the last 15 years or so a news paper cost so little that it was a no-brainer to buy one on your way home. But it wasn't always that way. Like every other piece of media the paper was a luxury. Sure it wasn't super expensive but by newspaper's zenith (let's call it at 1944 just to make the research easier on myself) it cost $0.03 for a New York Times, $0.36 cents with inflation.

How'd they do it? Ads plain and simple. I still believe that internet is barley being tapped for its potential as an advertising medium. More so than in other it gives those guys the intelligence to target and evaluate and alter their campaigns.

One of the reasons why people loved Netflix so much-It's been a rough year for them but anyway-for $8.00 the consumer received access to so much content that it was a no-brainer to get on board. It was the same with Rhapsody. Back then I had a little bit of money and access to all that music for that price was again a no-brainer.

Anyway my point with that is that a blind monkey could see that the consumer can be better served with digital distribution, and it's just plain insulting that the media companies want cling to their old methods. I get it; people have to be paid. Nobody is arguing that point. But in the interest of serving the consumer which is what a business is supposed to do, it's long time they looked at new revenue streams, payment models, and distribution technology. As stated previously an idiot could see the media market is in a state of flux and these companies and yes artists you too, need to change up or die in that market.

My argument is that let's face it media is expensive. Sure $10 an album might not sound like a lot, but it adds up. I know for a fact I've listened to at least 36 new albums this year. At $10 a pop that would be $360 and that's not the old stuff that I keep going back to that's just what came out this year. There is a segment of the population that just flat out can't afford to buy every CD or movie video game that's out there they want. These services if run properly and fine-tuned would allow the entertainment industry to obtain the maximum amount of money they could from these people who reason states should be more populous than any other segment especially in this economy.

Why did the wii do better than the Xbox 360? Why does Apple keep lowering their costs? Simple because they still have a portion of the population that want their product but can't afford it. The media industry is no different. All the money they lose per unit could be made up in volume.


Corrections: Yeah I sort of jumped the gun on this one. While I was writing this I forgot that Spotify isn't Rhapsody. Or more bluntly the two work differently. People can stream stuff for free on Spotify. I still think that artists should give streaming services a chance though.

Album Review: Anthony Hamilton: Back to Love

Anthony Hamilton
Back to Love
4/5




Without a doubt Anthony Hamilton is one of the best male vocalists to come to prominence in the new millennium. He is the benchmark for what a voice can do. And here he disappoints. He's always best when he's giving emotionally charged wails. But most of this album is low key. He never gets to that crescendo. And why would he? Almost everything I hear about the guy is that he's great, but he's exhausting. He's exhausting for a reason. He normally puts the audience through the emotional ringer.



But here it sounds like he's holding back.

Don't get me wrong the songs here are good, great even but it's just disappointing and frustrating to know the guy has the vocal range to push them further.

Beyond that it's almost as if I'm listening to two albums. The first is somewhat mellow, but around "Sucka for Love" (Track 9) it almost starts to reach the emotional crescendo I was talking about.

As usual Hamilton borrows a lot from 60's and 70's R&B. At some point I heard Stevie Wonder-like harmonicas. But it never sounds as though he's imitating them. It's a natural thing for him. An interesting thought experiment is to have Hamilton duet with the late Marvin Gaye. I'm betting if you threw the original cats in a room with this guy they would all start talking shop and trading music notes. You know what? I hope someone does joint interviews with him, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson just to see how they all interact with one another. That would be made of win.

Album Review: The Roots: Undun

The Roots
Undun
5/5

For some reason the Hip-Hop community decided to release most of the good stuff at the end of the year. Wait. Christmas?

Anyway this is a rely good album. Good production and good lyrics, right up there with Blige's album. Heck, it might be even better. There are times when the album sounds trippy, optimistic, and downright sad.

Overall the album is about looking back, and figuring out how and why you got to where you are. It's all about remembering the good and the bad. In some ways it' sad about how far things have fallen and also sad about how much they've stayed the same.

Album Review: Florence and the Machine: Ceremonials

Florence and the Machine
Ceremonials
2.5/5



There are two ways to look at this album, as a revival and celebration of the underappreciated 90's and 70's movements in indie pop music, or as wailing pretentious piece of gosa. I take the wailing pretentious piece of gosa route.

Now before you go all Kaylee on me hear me out. Don't get me wrong there are a lot of bits of the 90's and 70's indie movement I like, but while this tries to invoke their sound, this is not as good as them.





One of the problems I have is that I don't really like Florence Welch's voice. It's harder to tell on the album than on live performances, but she doesn't really have the voice to wail the way she does. On the longer notes her voice cracks a bit.

Also the album takes itself entirely too seriously that I kind of have to point and laugh at it. Like I said it's kind of pretentious.



I can take Amy Lee seriously because she has the voice and the presence. Welch doesn't.



All that said, look this isn't an album designed for me. After the first three songs I knew this wasn't my bag. I'm only reviewing it because after the slew of albums I did last week this one has been a slow one as evidenced by me reviewing a month old album. Now let those limey invaders die. Wait. What? The Prodigy are English! Goddamn it! The Rolling Stones too? What about Adele? She has to be Amer_. No! Okay. Alright. At least, Iron Maiden was born right here in the good ole U.S. of _. My God! By Lincoln's beard! Minute Men get your riffles and pack in the earthworks this is going to be a long war.



And while we're at it boys we're taking Madonna back across the Atlantic.

Album Review: The Jolts: 8%

The Jolts
8%
4/5

I listened to it earlier in the year and as I re-listen to albums, while trying to put together my best of the year playlist, I realize how friggin' good this album is. Shot of pure punk it is. "The Dabbler" and "Deadline" are great tracks for anybody looking for some old school style Rock & Roll. I'll admit the sound is old, but that's why I like it. Give it a good listen. You won't be disappointed.

Soundtrack to The Revolution Playlist

Album Review: Mary J. Blige: My Life II... The Journey Continues(Act I)

Mary J. Blige
My Life II...The Journey Continues
5/5

You know how earlier in the year I said I was disappointed in the Jill Scott's Light of the Sun. That is because I was expecting something like this.

There is great production with awesome percussion. On top that Blige's voice on this album is great. The lyrics are none to shabby either. Honestly, this is some of the best R&B I've heard in years. I was get a bit tired of pretty boys who can dance making albums for teenage girls.

Next July in the season of the family picnic you're probably going to be hearing cuts from this album everywhere. And you'll love it.

There are a lot of tracks that evoke sort of a laid back feeling, like "Midnight Drive" but there are also a lot of deeper more emotional tracks like "No Condition" and "Empty Prayers" And no lie, but "Feel Inside" is probably the best hip-hop track I've heard all year.

As the album goes on it becomes more and more mellow, moving into the acoustic guitar ballad, "Need Someone."

Like I said this is probably the best R&B album of the year.

Album Review: Nickelback: Here and Now

Nickelback
Here and Now
3/5



Two Steps forward and one step back. Like I said in a previous post Dark Horse was a solid album. To back up that point I listened to it again so I still have it somewhat in my head. I won't say this is shit, because it's not but Darkhorse a superior album. Whenever people rag on Nickelback I always assumed they only listened to a couple of singles. In particular, "You Remind Me" and "Someday". Alright I'll admit they're similar, but the band's changed over the years, not radically or anything, but they're last couple of albums have included more fist pumpers, But overall this album feels like a step backward into The Long Road days. Don't get me wrong Darkhorse had a bunch a ballads but it felt more balanced than Here and Now.

Beyond that. It's an alright album. It's not revolutionary, but Nickelback has never been a revolutionary band. If you get that and go into the album with the right mind set it's enjoyable. However if you hate Nickelback this album is not going to change your mind.

At the end of the day I'm going to say what I always say with controversial bands. Listen to the album with an open mind and then make it up.

Best of 2011 Canidates Playlist

I'm working on my best of 2011 list. There are still some albums coming out and I'm still making up my mind, but here is a video playlist of the candidates.

Album Review: Yelawolf: Radioactive

Yelawolf
Radioactive
4/5



This is a good and fun album. Most of the tracks are designed for the club like "Let's Roll" but there are a lot of slower more introspective, tracks, "The Last Song" too. It all comes together into an album that's anybody would be glad to have on their shelf. There are a lot of collabs on this album, but they never seem out of place. It always remains Yelawolf's album, not everyone's but his. The lyrics are top notch and while the production is good it sometimes sounds like it's been done before. Overall this is probably going wind in the top 5 of my best of the year list.

Dark Clouds Playlist

Album Review: Gym Class Heroes: Papercut Chronicles II

Gym Class Heroes
The Papercut Chronicles II
3/5



I like it, but it's not a hard album. A lot of its lyrics are introspective, but it's never a sad or angry album. It's a clubber, probably one the DJs are going to be spinning on ladies nights for years to come. A lot of the tracks are about love come and love lost, but like Annie Hall it's always optimistic about the whole affair.



Are there some rough patches in the album. Sure but it always seems to keep saying that things will get better. That and the music behind the lyrics is so incredibly "dancey" that you can't take it entirely seriously.

Like I said it's not a heavy or serious album. It's happy. Really, really, really happy. Even when it's trying not to be it's almost sickeningly perky. But...a little pop especially when it's good pop now and again isn't a bad thing.



Now excuse me, I have to listen to N.W.A, Motorhead and the Dead Kennedys to restore my melancholic ph levels. You're an angry hell-raiser Miles. You are a son of Cain!

The Nickelback Situation

Okay now I'll write about something that's been bothering me for a while. The Nickelback problem. Nickelback has been tapped to do the Lions Thanksgiving halftime show and people are sort of freaking out about it. In all honesty I don't watch sports so I don't care. But As a guy whose interested in music I do have to listen to a lot of Nickleback hate.

Half of it, hell most of it, I don't think they deserve. It goes beyond hey I don't like this band to rabid burn the damned (no literally damned) heretic territory.




A lot of it turns into just plain old duchebaggery. Like that time some jackass threw rocks at them on stage and people in the tube verse applauded that shit.



There are reasons not to like them, but at some point it changed from a mediocre band who got way too much radio airtime to the band people love to loathe. Heck often time people bash them because they became the band popular to bash. I swear it's worse than Limp Bizkit.

I... I... I... somewhat don't entirely dislike... alright I like them. I thought "Rockstar" was funny.

Nickelback - Rockstar - Music - More Music Videos

I thought "How You Remind Me" was a decent ballad, and that Dark Horse overall was a pretty solid album.

All that said I still hate what they represent. I'll get to that in a bit, but I recognize that it's not their fault. They're doing exactly what they should; trying to put out the best music they can and see where the dice fall. This is their job and they're going to do it. I wouldn't have it any other way.



However, Nickelback is the niggling reminder of how far radio has fallen. See in the late 90's at least where I'm from you had the classic rock station and the contemporary rock station.







They were run by the same company, but they each had their own feel, and they were awesome. No more commercial free rock block for you though. Now they're just mirrors of each other. It's getting rarer and rarer to hear new cuts on them and when they do play a song from the last 5 years it's almost always, Disturbed, The White Stripes or you guessed it Nickelback.

And to make it worse it's not even really the station's, well at least the programming director's fault either. A confluence of events has gotten us to this point.

The rise of the internet, rise of the active rock format, the possibility of the performing rights act, the consolidation of media outlets, all got us to this point.

These are things Nickelback had nothing to do with. I can't and shouldn't blame them for that.

Album Review: Megadeth: Th1rt3en

Megadeth
Th1rt3en
4/5 Stars



The worse I can say about this album is that it's not Endgame. That said it is still really really good.

The best way I can describe this album is by saying its a Megadeth album. It doesn't reinvent the wheel. If you're a fan of the band, you'll probably dig the album. That said it's that same reason that it's not a classic album. Endgame at least for me in a lot of ways sounded ... new and old. This album sounds like some lost 90's cuts, some great lost 90's cuts but still some lost 90's cuts. Again that's not bad if you're a fan of the band. The 90's were arguably when it was in its prime. That said these tracks are all killer and no filler. There wasn't a point in the album where it dragged. Eh I don't know. All in all my detractions come from my feeling that it's not as good as Endgame. It's not bad, but it's not as good as Endgame! There isn't a "44 minutes" in this album, and "44 minutes" was pure awesomeness concentrated into 5.

Shotguns and Crosses: Let's Face it When the Apocalypse Comes And That Which Is Wrong Walks the Earth, God Will not Save You Playlist

The Coming of the End (Our Sins Unredeemable)
Bad Things: Jace Everette
When You're Evil: Voltaire
Devil's Night: D12
3 AM: Eminem
Touched: Vast
Judgment Night: Onyx and Biohazard

The Smiting (Revelations)
Returns a King: 300 Soundtrack
L.A. Song: Christian Kane
All Along the Watch Tower: Bear McCreary

The Rise of the Unholy (The Blight Spreads)

Hoist the Colors: Pirates of the Caribbean At Worlds End Soundtrack
Return of the Machines: 9 Soundtrack
Extreme GhostBusters Theme
Dragula: Rob Zombie


The Scrapes of Humanity Heed The Clarion Call (The Chosen Children)
Terminator Theme
Cells: The Servant
Grocery Store: Zombieland Soundtrack
Hanger 18:Megadeth
Ten Thousand Fists: Disturbed
This Day We Fight:Megadeth
Supermoves: Overseer
Voodoo People: The Prodigy

Album Review: Five Finger Death Punch: American Capitalist

Five Finger Death Punch
American Capitalist
3.5/5

With the exception of the metal screams this is a pretty solid album until "Remember Everything" (Track 8) then it falls apart. It starts to turn into a bunch of generic revenge ballads.

Until that point, again with the exception of the metal screams, the vocals are pretty good. The guitar fills the album with a bunch of crunchy riffs. There is definitely a double pedal that's getting a work out. It's not a great album but it's not disappointing or bad either. It wasn't an exercise in patience to listen to. I was actually digging it.

Then "Remember Everything" happens. The album turns into a childish and if may say it musically boring fuck you to anybody the band thinks done it wrong. Don't get me wrong I think revenge songs can be fun. I love "99 Problems."



Ah back when he who sits on the throne actually was king.

Or even "You're so Vain."



The problem with revenge songs though is if you do it wrong you make yourself look like the jackass of the song and that's what these guys did. Even when that's the case I can forgive it when the song is fun enough.



The latter half of American Capitalist just isn't. It just makes the band look like a bunch of whinny little bitches. And I feel bad for them son 'cause I got 99 problems but 'em bitches ain't one.

Ice-T - Music - More Music Videos

Album Review: Evanescence: Evanescence

Evanescence
Evanescence
3/5 Stars



This album took me a while to form an opinion on. The most obvious reason for that is that I loved their debut album, Fallen when I was a kid and this one I'm not so hot on. This is a challenging album. I don't mean bad but challenging. See rock's great contribution to music writing is the hook, the catchy repetitive 3 or 4 notes/chords along with a chorus that you can't get out of your head. This album says screw that in favor of more complicated melodies.

Which means that this isn't one of those albums you're going to be singing along to in your car. It is however a very emotional series of ballads that combine many instruments you wouldn't normally think of in a rock album, and what's weird is the guitar is probably going to be the one you pay the least attention too.

Most of the other instruments along with Amy Lee's voice create a wierd creepy, and kind of epically pissed off vibe. Not the bar room brawl saw some dude is hitting on my girl and is just asking for an ass kicking kind of pissed off, but "Don't ever ask me for another favor because we're done. Get out of my life." pissed off. But back to the point I was trying to make, the guitar sounds kind of boring in the middle of all that. The guitar riffs are kind of generic when you put them next to all the other stuff.