|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 26, 2015 8:18:31 GMT -5
|
|
Green Baron
Diamond Member
Banned
Why do I start what I can't finish?
|
Post by Green Baron on Jun 26, 2015 8:25:02 GMT -5
lol that reminds me of my thing I never finished
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 26, 2015 8:30:01 GMT -5
Dangerous
Big Data featuring Joywave
From: 2.0
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8b4xYbEugo
Alternative Peak: #1, Chart Run: 52 weeks
AAA Peak: #12, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: Both Big Data (a.k.a. Alan Wilkis) and Joywave are new artists and I believe this is their first charting songs on Alternative. The former produces the music for this song, the latter provides the vocals. The song was well-acclaimed among the rock posters here. The lyrics are thought-provoking, talking about the dangers of the Internet. The music is bass-driven, without the use of guitars or drums, but it is still enjoyable. The vocal change in the pre-chorus is also cool. This song gets an A from me and definitely a recommendation.
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 26, 2015 8:41:46 GMT -5
Riptide
Vance Joy
From: Dream Your Life Away
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ_1HMAGb4k
Alternative Peak: #1, Chart Run: 48 weeks
AAA Peak: #7, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: From mid-2013 to mid-2014, folk had less on Alternative compared to before; Mumford & Sons missed the top 10 for the first time with "Babel" and Jack Johnson failed to debut on the alternative chart. Folk wasn't completely neglected though as songs from Frank Turner and Family of the Year made top-20 impacts too, and The Head and the Heart went top 50 for the first time. But folk was revived on Alternative since mid-2014 with songs from Vance Joy (aka James Keogh), James Bay, George Ezra and recently, Houndmouth. The response from the rock forum was quite divided; the pop posters praised it whereas most of the active-rock-leaning posters hated it. My take on this song is that it's catchy and infectious (hence why it became a hit in his homeland in Australia prior to it blowing up on rock). I think it's a fun song to listen, and why it didn't blow up on pop remains a question to be asked. My main concern about this song are the lyrics; they're quite confusing. This gets an A- from me and a recommendation only if you're a huge fan of indie-folk.
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 26, 2015 8:55:52 GMT -5
Stolen Dance
Milky Chance
From: Sadnecessary
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX-QaNzd-0Y
Alternative Peak: #1, Chart Run: 52 weeks
AAA Peak: #1, Chart Run: 32 weeksMilky Chance are a German duo who also broke through on Alternative in 2014. The song became a hit in Europe in 2013 prior to this. Most rock posters would know this song for the insane amount of time it spent in the top 10 and the rants about it not leaving to make space for other songs. I personally like this song to be quite honest. The simple guitar-driven music complements Clemens Rehbein's vocals of depression (particularly in the verses); the song is about drug addiction ("I want you by my side so that I never feel alone again, they've always been so kind but now they've brought you away from me... The only thing I feel is pain, caused by absence of you.) I also dig the guitar solos after each chorus. I personally wished this could have been bigger on pop, but I'm glad it impacted it at least. This gets an A+ and a recommendation from me.
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 26, 2015 9:04:34 GMT -5
Left Hand Free
alt-J
From: This Is All Yours
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRWUoDpo2fo
Alternative Peak: #2, Chart Run: 21 weeks
AAA Peak: #3, Chart Run: 21 weeksReview: Leeds-based indie rock band alt-J broke through both nationally and internationally with their 2012 album "An Awesome Wave", which was also well-acclaimed. That album has probably sold 300,000 copies in the US alone by now. They followed up with "This Is All Yours" which was Grammy-nominated and debuted in the top 5 on the Billboard 200. This song, the lead single from TIAY, may not reach the innovativeness of songs such as "Tesselate" or "Fitzpleasure", but it's a fun song for me. But just like "Riptide", I find the lyrics weird. Some people find Joe Newman's vocals annoying, but I find them tolerable. This gets an B+ from me.
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 26, 2015 9:11:22 GMT -5
Take Me to Church
Hozier
From: Hozier
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVjiKRfKpPI
Alternative Peak: #2, Chart Run: 38 weeks
AAA Peak: #1, Chart Run: 28 weeksReview: Irish singer-songwriter Hozier is another new artist to the alternative scene. What makes this song different from the rest are it's thought provoking lyrics using religion to show the narrator's love for his lover (My church offers no absolutes she tells me, "Worship in the bedroom."... I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies). And because of this, the song (and the accompanying music video that depicts hate crimes against gays) has sparked off some controversy; but that's what makes this song special (I'm one of the few Christians not offended by this song). Hozier's emotive vocals also make this song enjoyable. This gets an A- from me and a recommendation... if you aren't from the Westboro Baptist Church.
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 26, 2015 9:29:03 GMT -5
Flaws
Bastille
From: Bad Blood
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E36WU9Wzf4
Alternative Peak: #5, Chart Run: 22 weeks
AAA Peak: #16, Chart Run: 15 weeksReview: Bastille managed to notch their third top-5 hit in a row with this song. Daniel Smith's vocals fit with the synths and I enjoy the pre-chorus where he wants the hole in his soul to be filled. This gets a B- from me.
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 26, 2015 9:49:31 GMT -5
Figure It Out
Royal Blood
From: Royal Blood
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhgVu2lsi_k
Alternative Peak: #10, Chart Run: 20 weeks
Mainstream Rock Peak: #3, Chart Run: 28 weeksReview: My first active rock song review for this thread. Royal Blood are an English duo who blend garage rock, hard rock and blues rock together. The result turned out to be well; they are well-known in Britain (where their self-titled album went #1 I believe and won an award at the BRIT Awards this year), the album was critically acclaimed, and they notched three-straight top 3 mainstream rock hits (this being their second). Think of Foo Fighters meets The Black Keys. While I do enjoy the grunge-influenced riffs and Mike Kerr's vocals, the song has burnt out me slightly and I've moved on to "Little Monster". I'll still give this an A, but it doesn't beat the awesomeness, that is "Out of the Black".
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 26, 2015 20:12:15 GMT -5
Edge of a Revolution
Nickelback
From: No Fixed Address
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYnuSsM7tRw
Mainstream Rock Peak: #1, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: A lot of people hate Nickelback. But that doesn't stop them from having multiple top-10s on Active and Hot AC (with their ballads). But "Here and Now" saw a slight popularity decline; both rock singles didn't go #1 (making HaN their second album besides "The State" not to have an Active #1) and both Adult Top 40 singles didn't go top 10 (but now we know that hard rock is dead on Hot AC. we may never get another Hot AC hit from them in the future). They then signed with Republic and got an OTV deal to help this song go #1 on Active (their first since "Something In Your Mouth"). Unlike many people, I generally like Nickelback, and YES, that includes songs such as "Far Away" and "Photograph". As with most Nickelback rockers; I dig this. The lyrics about a political revolution are pretty cool, and Chad Kroeger sounds good too. This gets an B+ from me and a reccommendation if you aren't a Nickelback hater. It's definitely good for what it's worth.
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 26, 2015 21:22:06 GMT -5
Gotta Get Away
The Black Keys
From: Turn Blue
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ2xc_d8uUw
AAA Peak: #1, Chart Run: 20 weeks
Alternative Peak: #8, Chart Run: 17 weeks
Mainstream Rock Peak: #11, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: "Turn Blue" was a change in direction for The Black Keys, with the garage elements they had with their prior two albums almost missing on that album. I haven't listened to it track-by-track yet, but this is probably the best of the three singles. It's probably the closest to their old sound in TB. Grade: B+
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 26, 2015 21:27:42 GMT -5
The Devil In I
Slipknot
From: .5: The Gray Chapter
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEEasR7hVhA
Mainstream Rock Peak: #2, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: I'm not a fan of Slipknot to be quite frank. I don't like Corey Taylor's screaming vocals, but he has potential to sing well (as seen in songs such as "Snuff" and "Killpop", and his Stone Sour material). That said, this is one of the few tracks that I dig from them. Their first single since the death of bassist Paul Gray (hence the album title), "The Devil In I" allows Corey Taylor to showcase his vocals in the verses, and it has an epic chorus (screaming is limited to the bridge of the song). I'd recommend this. B+
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 28, 2015 7:07:45 GMT -5
Wrong Side of Heaven
Five Finger Death Punch
From: The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Vol. 1
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_l4Ab5FRwM
Mainstream Rock Peak: #2, Chart Run: 29 weeksReview: Five Finger Death Punch have been a powerhouse on Active since their debut album. The fourth single from their "...Heaven" era, the title track is another ballad about the fall of Man ("I spoke to God today, and she said that she's ashamed. What have I become, what have I done.") FFDP have never failed me with their ballads, and this song is no exception, especially with Ivan Moody's powerful vocals in the verses. Grade: A
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 28, 2015 7:31:35 GMT -5
Centuries
Fall Out Boy
From: American Beauty / American Psycho
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBr7kECsjcQ
Alternative Peak: #4, Chart Run: 20 weeks
Mainstream Rock Peak: #33, Chart Run: 9 weeksReview: I'm not supportive of Fall Out Boy's new direction from turning to a punk rock band into a pop rock one. At all. The singles from their last two albums lack of the punk rock band they once were (the only singles that I think had them are "The Phoenix" and this). That said, I kind of like this, especially the chorus which I kind of find to be epic. It isn't ground-breaking though. But still, go back to your roots... B-
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 28, 2015 7:44:36 GMT -5
Beautiful
Pop Evil
From: Onyx
Listen to "Onyx" here:
Mainstream Rock Peak: #7, Chart Run: 21 weeksReview: I dig the chorus, but as a whole, I find this to be standard post-grunge, but that's not exactly a bad thing. C
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 28, 2015 8:20:17 GMT -5
Doc Holliday
Volbeat
From: Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies
Listen to "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies" here:
Mainstream Rock Peak: #9, Chart Run: 19 weeksReview: I love Volbeat. Unlike other metal bands such as Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, Bullet for My Valentine, etc., they offer unique metal songs without the emo-factor, great vocals, and great instrumentals. This song is no exception, though it's a tad too long. B
|
|
H.
5x Platinum Member
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 5,447
|
Post by H. on Jun 28, 2015 9:21:39 GMT -5
Great thread! I recommend that you listen to the Turn Blue album. It is my favorite of last year. I also am a Nickelback Fan.
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 28, 2015 9:24:20 GMT -5
Great thread! I recommend that you listen to the Turn Blue album. It is my favorite of last year. I also am a Nickelback Fan. I have all the Turn Blue tracks on my iPad, but I haven't listened to them track-by-track yet.
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 28, 2015 23:09:32 GMT -5
The Only Way Out
Bush
From: Man on the Run
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0QqkXOIfwI
Alternative Peak: #16, Chart Run: 20 weeks
Mainstream Rock Peak: #12, Chart Run: 15 weeksReview: Alternative veterans Bush returned last year with their first single in two years. Their prior era had the smash hit "The Sound of Winter", which topped the alternative charts in 2011. Like "Winter", I dig this; it has some nice guitar riffs and I enjoy Gavin Rossdale's vocals. Unfortunately, it underperformed by a small extent, though it had a bit of a longer run on alternative. A-
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 28, 2015 23:15:58 GMT -5
Yellow Flicker Beat
Lorde
From: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Pt. 1 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PdILZ_1P74
Alternative Peak: #10, Chart Run: 19 weeks
AAA Peak: #10, Chart Run: 13 weeksReview: Lorde broke through in 2013 on both the alternative and pop formats, but the last two singles released from "Pure Heroine" saw less success, just like this song, which scraped the top 10. This song is ok. It's not great, but it isn't terrible either. It's just there. I like Lorde's vocals in the chorus, however. C
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 28, 2015 23:27:26 GMT -5
Moth
Hellyeah
From: Blood For Blood
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIWeIChes5k
Mainstream Rock Peak: #8, Chart Run: 23 weeksReview: Here I present to you another generic rock song. Just one look at the lyrics can indicate just that. Which is quite sad as Chad Gray (who's also the lead single of Mudvayne), isn't a bad singer. Not to mention the basic instrumentals. I'll give this song a pass but I wouldn't recommend this. C-
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jun 30, 2015 0:19:52 GMT -5
Cigarette Daydreams
Cage the Elephant
From: Melophobia
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=opeETnB8m8w
Alternative Peak: #1, Chart Run: 33 weeks
Mainstream Rock Peak: #19, Chart Run: 15 weeks
AAA Peak: #8, Chart Run: 24 weeksReview: The third single from "Melophobia" it saw Cage the Elephant net their fifth #1. An enjoyable laid-back acoustic guitar-driven indie rock track, "Cigarette Daydreams" continues CTE's streak of great singles, excluding "Always Something", which I haven't listened in full yet. B+
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 1, 2015 2:09:03 GMT -5
Same Damn Life
Seether
From: Isolate and Medicate
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3_lIPESVTw
Mainstream Rock Peak: #2, Chart Run: 25 weeks
Alternative Peak: #33, Chart Run: 13 weeksReview: Seether impressed almost everyone with their first lead single in three years, "Words As Weapons". So how did it's follow-up do? Well, it isn't as good as WAW, but it's still catchy and can be a jam. A-
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 1, 2015 2:21:36 GMT -5
Rollercoaster
Bleachers
From: Strange Desire
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldk2pLyVZ4c
Alternative Peak: #3, Chart Run: 28 weeks
AAA Peak: #26, Chart Run: 2 weeksReview: Fun. are currently on a break, but two of the members have found success to varying extents. Frontman Nate Ruess released a top-10 album this year, but his lead single flopped. Guitarist Jack Antonoff (under his side-project Bleachers) on the other hand, had a #1 alternative single ("I Wanna Get Better") and a top-3 single (this), but his album barely missed the top 10 on the charts (and the third single flopped too). I personally prefer "Rollercoaster" to "Better" as the latter burnt out on me. It also has a better chorus and instrumentals. A-
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 3, 2015 8:53:52 GMT -5
Play Ball
AC/DC
From: Rock or Bust
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT8e7i0ccLQ
Mainstream Rock Peak: #5, Chart Run: 15 weeksReview: AC/DC had a 'big' 2014; they released their latest album in December, but band member Paul Rudd got arrested (he's since been replaced) and founding member Malcolm Young was diagnosed with dementia, hence he was also replaced by his nephew. The band has also been more open to the digital music scene, putting their music on iTunes in 2012, and just a few days ago, on Spotify. This is just another rocker about having fun, but if the formula usually works, then why change it? B
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 3, 2015 9:14:06 GMT -5
Something from Nothing
Foo Fighters
From: Sonic Highways
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_YlZ1JdcVk
Alternative Peak: #1, Chart Run: 20 weeks
Mainstream Rock Peak: #1, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: Here's one of the big ones. After a three year break since their 2011 album "Wasting Light", Foo Fighters released their lead single from their eighth LP. And this song is an example why the Foo Fighters are well loved by both critics and alternative radio listeners; they're capable of creating great rockers such as this. The song starts off slowly, but it increasingly gets louder and louder until it reaches around the 3-minute mark where frontman Dave Grohl starts going crazy and eventually lets out his signature growl. There's a reason why this was the lead single, and why it went to #1 on many of the rock posters' charts here. Highly recommended. A+
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 12, 2015 4:40:28 GMT -5
I Am Machine
Three Days Grace
From: Human
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zx6RXGNISk
Mainstream Rock Peak: #1, Chart Run: 28 weeks
Alternative Peak: #38, Chart Run: 4 weeks
Review: As most of you know by now, Adam Gontier is no longer with Three Days Grace. This upset many fans as he is believed to give TDG a distinct sound among other active/ heavy alternative rock acts. In replacement is Matthew Walst, the brother of bassist Brad Walst, and the frontman of the former My Darkest Days, who were one hit wonders with "Porn Star Dancing" back in 2010-11. And as such, their recent singles haven't been on par with TDG's singles pre-Matt Walst era, though the lyrics on the album aren't "Porn Star Dancing" bad. This is the closest they could get though, featuring some great guitar work and an epic chorus. This song reached #1 on my chart earlier this year. Grade: A-
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 12, 2015 5:57:56 GMT -5
R U Mine?
Arctic Monkeys
From: AM
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQH8ZTgna3Q
Alternative Peak: #2, Chart Run: 26 weeks
Mainstream Rock Peak: #19, Chart Run: 16 weeks
Review: The AM era has been extremely successful for Alexander Turner and co., with "Do I Wanna Know?" becoming the biggest alternative hit of 2014, and the follow-up went top 5 as well. The album has also sold about 720,000 copies in the US, outselling albums from Cage the Elephant, The Black Keys, Foo Fighters, and, if I'm not wrong, any active rock album released since Nickelback's "Here and Now". Closing the era is a re-release of "R U Mine?", which is also the heaviest among the three singles released. Featuring great vocals from Turner and irresistably heavy guitar riffs, the Monkeys once again make me want to recommend more of their singles. A
|
|
|
Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 14, 2015 8:08:33 GMT -5
Fools Gold
Fitz & The Tantrums
From: More Than Just a Dream
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdbGXHwHAko
Alternative Peak: #13, Chart Run: 20 weeks
Triple A Peak: #13, Chart Run: 15 weeksReview: The final single for a big era for Michael Fitzpatrick and co., this is easily the weakest of the three singles released. The Walker was catchier, and Out of My League was better too. I'd recommend you listening to the former two instead. This is good, but they've made better songs. C+
|
|
H.
5x Platinum Member
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 5,447
|
Post by H. on Jul 14, 2015 8:09:43 GMT -5
I like Fool's Gold best. I found The Walker grating.
|
|