NICKLEBACK (Dark Horse)

NICKLEBACK released their seventh album, "Dark Horse" in November of 2008.  Even having been released prior to some highly anticipated albums later in the year through 2009, NICKLEBACK has remained in the top 12 as far as sales of the album go.  They have a few catchy songs and are played on the radio as much as anyone else when they release a single. 

NICKLEBACK made their biggest dint in gaining musical popularity in 2001 when they released their hit single "How you remind me". This song paved the way for them to reach the goals of anyone who has ever desired to play music for keeps. 

The band continues to release hit after hit.  Their sales skyrocket after a new album or when a new single is released.  Money, fame and popularity are never a stranger to this band. 

They don't mind letting you know that either. 

This album (Dark Horse) is no exception to the bands arrogant tone.  They sing abut having and doing it all.  They are the "real" rock stars of this decade. 

I will put my two -cents in on them as a band... It's another case of bad music being overly publicized.  NICKLEBACK does have a few good songs, but overall, they don't even come close to the gods of rock.  All their songs sound the same, for the most part at least. They can't seem to write a song that doesn't sound exactly the same as their last single. So my opinion, before any kind of morally conscience decision, is that..... it's just bad music!

Secondly, the bands new album distributes their thoughts of sex, drugs, and yes rock'n roll quite well.  Followed up by mild profanities all the way through the album, their thoughts go about as deep as a wishing-well filled with goldfish.  

I don't wanna to be labeled as a revolutionary here, but these are the kind of bands that ruined rock!

Don't buy this album, it will be a disappointment.  If I were you I would take the ten dollars that you would have spent on this album and go buy stock in bee keeping apparel; in other words, anything you buy instead of this album will end up as a better purchase in the long run.

If you like NICKLEBACK and want an alternative, try..... sorry, I can't think of anyone who sounds exactly the same in every single song they record.  Your out of luck. 

Really check out Chevelle (This type of Thinking)  if you like NICKLEBACK. 

Anathallo (Canopy Glow)

Lately I've been extremely tired of all the mainstream music that is constantly force-fed to most of us. So it is refreshing when a new sounding band comes along who maybe isn't surrounded by all the hype. 

Anathallo is that band. They resemble Fleet Foxes, who if you were watching, did an amazing performance on SNL this last week. 

Anathallo possesses a little more of a gentle sounding music, but it non the less is one of the most entertaining albums I've heard in awhile. 

I will make this quick. Buy it....Thats right.... Buy it. 

U2 (No line on the Horizon)

U2, over the last 20 years has become one of music's untouchable icons.  As the band has progressed through stardom during their entire career the world has been able to not only hear the change that they have brought to music, but they have changed the way we think about music entirely. 

U2 was one of the pioneers in forming songs around this new decade of people.  U2 bridged the gap between this generation and the last by creatively writing songs with a modern day conviction/theme to them. 

U2 is releasing their newest album on the 3rd of March 2009. This album has been the most pre-ordered album in the last two years. The one big reason for the popularity of the pre-order on this album is that U2 never, ever lets their fans down, so my guess is that the pre-order route is a safe one to take. 

U2 has always recored clean albums. Most of their songs could be played in even the more conservative environments. Since this album is not released yet I'm not sure if that pattern will remain true to form.  So listen to it before you buy it. I'm sure that I will be one of those waiting in line to purchase the album when it comes out. I'll give you more info when I have the chance to listen to the album in its entirety.  Until then, check out their single on itunes. 

THE END IS NEAR

I don't know how to handle it anymore. People are always talking about the government as being corrupt, but what about the greatest evil known to man right now. 

That's right, "The WeatherMan". The weather man is the most inherently evil specimen known to man right now. Weathermen have messed with my sensibility so much that the other day I tried to sunbath on a snow sled. Further more I don't know whether or not to stay, come or go. 

Unlike many theologians (which I am not) I believe that the antichrist will be a weatherman from Idaho. Think about all the criteria; persuasive speech, uniting the nations, "PEOPLE" who will listen to him.  I believe all the information that we need is when in Revelation the Bible mentions seven stars, hello, weathermen are the biggest stars on the news.  What more proof do we need. 

Maybe I'll be a weather man, that way people will be so anxious for me to speak that it won't matter what comes out of my mouth. Why don't preachers have this "weatherman" anointing. 

Now you have been warned. Be cautious, if I were you I would start storing canned food as well as umbrellas so we can be prepared for the final days. 

Furthermore, be especially be careful of Jim Ganahl (which in hebrew means "Jesus Christ, the chosen one who will some day rule the earth by using a technique called the Doppler radar")

THE END IS NEAR!

Rihanna (Good Girl Gone Bad)

It's been hard to ignore the rise of twenty year old Robyn Rihanna Fenty, more popularly known as simply... Rihanna.  The starlet currently has four videos in the top 100, four songs in the top 100 and her album comes in at number 32 on the top 100 purchased albums currently.  Life is good for Rihanna (minus that whole photographer scandal).  

Rihann's posesses some of the most popular tunes on the airwaves right now.  She is touring like crazy, recording like crazy and getting crazy money for doing all those crazy things.

You have to ask yourself though, has she peeked to early.  This is a common theme for many young musicians (Hanson, Nsync, etc) Rihanna is not just an overnight sensation, as the afore mentioned performers were, but she does however have herself paced for burnout at a very young age. 

Let's get on with the music.  Her music plays a catchy beat and contains lyrics that will keep the songs in your head all day long.  

I'll give her a 50/50 split on how I personally view her music.  She is not the 'worst of the worst" when it comes to positive lyrics or morality, but she is also not the "best of the best" when it comes to the same issues. 

I would be cautious if your planning on listening to Rihanna.  Like I said before she's catchy, maybe to catchy.  What I'm getting at is that if her songs get stuck in your head (speaking from experience here) what kind of words will you be repeating to yourself or others multiple times in one day. 

Your right!?. I left the review kind of vague. You ultimately decided what you will do and what you won't do. I will always suggest, however, that you listen to any album you buy with your parents (I'll listen to it with you).  You make the ultimate decision however.  So choose already. 

MuteMath (Flesh and Bones live)

This is by far one of the best albums I own.  MuteMath is a band that gets as much credit as a middle child, but possesses all the talents and brains of the first born (just had to get that off my chest).  

MuteMath has been liberating people by rocking (as Jack Black would say) since 2006 when they debuted their first self-titled album.  Since then they've been nearly invisible... if you haven't been looking for them.  But they're there none the less.  After releasing songs for two of the most purchased soundtracks in the past two years (Transformers & Twilight) they band has started to catch the eyes and ears of listeners everywhere. 

They have performed on the Jay Lenno Show, Jimmy Kimmel live and continue to make appearances on some of the nations top TV shows. 

They're music is really indescribable; its techno/rock/everything that makes you move. 

If you like to dance to your music, this is definitely an album for you. Check it out on itunes or pick it up at your local record shop.  You won't be disappointed. You can also check out some of their music and videos by using the Video Bar -> I would highly recommend watching their performance on Jimmy Kimmel, it is performed backwards. 

Thriving Ivory (Self Titled)

Thriving is another up and coming artist that has gained the attention of critics and fans alike.  The bands self titled album released in June of 2008 and quickly became popular when the bands first single "Angels on the Moon" hit the airwaves.   

The bands thoughtful lyrics are clashed with, shall we say a very unique vocal performance by Clayton Stroope (lead vocals for the band).  At first I will admit it....I HATED the vocals on the record.  But it seemed like whenever I got into the car "Angels on the Moon" was playing, and after awhile I became more appreciative of the vocals.  The bands music could be compared to Augustana who is know for their, at one time huge single "Boston" however, Thriving Ivory is on a different level of talent than Augustana.  Needless to say, similar tones are about all the bands have in common. 

I recently listened to the album in its entirety.  It was good! Let me say that before I say anything else.  In this album the band exudes there thoughts on differences found in many forms.  From 'people' to 'thoughts' to 'structures', the band seems to be soul searching for their own place, as well as helping the listener be content with who they really are. 

The album is offensive in no way. As for the times I have listen to it, I have heard no inappropriate language or suggestive language. However, the band does deal with more mature subject matters than oh, say, the Jonas Brothers.  So be watchful of the content in this album even though it's "clean". Always be watchful of whatever it is when you decide to entertain yourself with something no matter how harmless it seems.  Even if your youth pastor tells you that it is a good listen, test it.  Use your own discretion on what you should be watching or listening to.  Don't let someone else tell you what is okay or not okay.