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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 14, 2015 8:16:58 GMT -5
Something Different
Godsmack
From: 1000HP
Listen to 1000HP here:
Mainstream Rock Peak: #6, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: With songs such as "Cryin' Like a Bitch!!!" and "1000HP", Godsmack pissed members of Pulse with the weak lyrical content of the songs. But Godsmack can also do serious songs such as "Love-Hate-Sex-Pain".... and this. While the "something black" line is redundant, the lyrics are generally well-written. The instrumentals are good too. Easily the best single from 1000HP. A-
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 14, 2015 8:38:21 GMT -5
Sick Like Me
In This Moment
From: Black Widow
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=03X0B6u-AxM
Mainstream Rock Peak: #10, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: In This Moment are generally my least favorite metal band out there. Maria Brink's vocals rarely appeal to me, the lyrics are not good, and the instrumentation is garbage. This pretty sums up this song, where Maria Brink tries to seduce us in the chorus, and she does so in a creepy way (Am I beautiful, as I tear you to pieces?). The rest of the song doesn't help too as each verse is lazily written, with each line beginning with "Is it sick of me..." Wow, Maria Brink, the lyrical genius. (she has written worse stuff before, and "Sex Metal Barbie" is proof of that) This song will not rectify the fact that In This Moment have yet to have a top 5 hit, because this song is junk. Skip it. D
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H.
5x Platinum Member
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 5,447
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Post by H. on Jul 14, 2015 8:53:16 GMT -5
I hate In This Moment.
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 14, 2015 8:54:12 GMT -5
Everyone hates In This Moment. Well, I know there are many people who like them, but majority of us hate them.
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 16, 2015 0:29:28 GMT -5
Moving On
Asking Alexandria
From: From Death To Destiny
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9lYwVm1NDg
Mainstream Rock Peak: #6, Chart Run: 28 weeksReview: I only knew about Asking Alexandria in 2013 when they released "From Death To Destiny". But I only heard three of their songs since; "The Death of Me" was generic metal (listen to the rock remix instead of the original, if you don't want your ears to bleed more!), "Break Down the Walls" was catchy, and this is easily the best of the three, partly because it's a power ballad, and I like rock ballads, and Danny Worsnop sounds the most sincere in his delivery for the three songs. We'll discuss more about Danny Worsnop when I get into his new rock and roll band We Are Harlot another time. B
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 16, 2015 0:43:03 GMT -5
I Bet My Life
Imagine Dragons
From: Smoke + Mirrors
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ht80uzIhNs Alternative Peak: #3, Chart Run: 20 weeks
AAA Peak: #1, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: Daniel Reynolds and company certainly were big on Alternative since 2012, where "It's Time" became a sleeper hit, but "Radioactive" and "Demons" were much bigger hits (Radioactive also has a chart record of spending the most weeks on the Hot 100). Releasing this as the lead single for their sophomore album, "I Bet My Life" is a song about the narrator trying to mend his relationship with his parents. Dan Reynolds's vocals are sincere in the verses, but the screaming chorus makes the song kind of disjointed. This is still a very good song, but they're capable of making better songs, just saying (we'll get to "Shots" another time). A-
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 17, 2015 2:34:48 GMT -5
Shut Up and Dance
WALK THE MOON
From: TALKING IS HARD
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JCLY0Rlx6Q
Alternative Peak: #1, Chart Run: 47 weeks
Triple A Peak: #13, Chart Run: 24 weeksReview: This will probably wind up being the biggest rock hit of the year, and the biggest rock to pop crossover as well in a while (it peaked at #2 on Pop due to strong competition from Wiz Khalifa, Jason Derulo and Taylor Swift, it would've gone #1 if there was less competition). Nonetheless, there's a reason for this. In this anthemic pop rock anthem, WTM frontman Nicholas Petricca and his girl go out for a night but the latter surprises him and asks him to 'shut up and dance' with her. And unlike some of the other crossovers (Take Me to Church, Riptide and Stolen Dance to name a few), there's the heavy use of drums which gives it an edge, and not to mention that the song is very catchy as well. I'll take this. A+
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 17, 2015 3:12:29 GMT -5
Beggin For Thread
Banks
From: Goddess
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twix375Me4Q
Alternative Peak: #11, Chart Run: 21 weeksReview: 2014 had a few songs that are what I call 'non-alternative' hits (that is, songs that Billboard does not classify as 'alternative'). (I'm talking about songs from MAGIC!, Tove Lo and Echosmith) This is one of them. But among these acts, this stood out as one of the best. Jilian Banks' vocals are great, and I dig the synth-driven instrumentation. Great song. B-
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 19, 2015 23:27:36 GMT -5
Rebellion
Linkin Park featuring Daron Malakian
From: The Hunting Party
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCy5461BtTg
Mainstream Rock Peak: #15, Chart Run: 15 weeksReview: After two successful singles on the active rock charts, Linkin Park decided to do a split release for active rock and alternative singles for the third single. This was sent to active, but "Final Masquerade" was sent to alternative instead probably because "Rebellion" was too heavy for the format then, especially since the lead single flopped on alternative. Both singles flopped. We're only talking about "Rebellion" here, and as for it, it's one of the heaviest tracks on the album. With help from System of a Down's Daron Malakian on guitar, this is the only single off the album to feature Mike rapping with Chester singing the hook and screaming the bridge. To be honest, I prefer hearing Chester scream in "Keys To the Kingdom", which was one of my favorites off the album. Nonetheless, I know I've said this many times, but the vocals complement the heavy instrumentals, and it's also nice to hear Mike rapping again. Not the best song off the album, but still pretty good. B-
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 19, 2015 23:48:10 GMT -5
Breaking Skin
Nonpoint
From: The Return
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gLL3CQ9_yk
Mainstream Rock Peak: #17, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: I only heard of Nonpoint last year and only listened to this song this year. Honestly, this isn't anything special, but the chorus rocks. B
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 19, 2015 23:56:57 GMT -5
Face Everything and Rise
Papa Roach
From: F.E.A.R.
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9z4DWB7Iy8
Mainstream Rock Peak: #1, Chart Run: 22 weeksReview: Papa Roach have always been big on the active rock charts, but despite that, they've been in commercial decline. This song is the lead off single for their latest album "F.E.A.R.", the acronym of this song. The lyrics are cliched to some extent "My pain is a blessing in disguise, I feel it cutting and it's cutting like a knife", but they make it up with the instrumentals, particularly the epic chorus. This isn't anything extraordinary, but it's still pretty good. B
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 26, 2015 23:51:32 GMT -5
Agora
Bear Hands
From: Distraction
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm4n0QMWi7Y
Alternative Peak: #17, Chart Run: 21 weeksReview: Good and catchy song, I may even prefer this to "Giants". B+
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 26, 2015 23:58:15 GMT -5
Mr. MTV
Nothing More
From: Nothing More
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXxHwOkYEYs
Mainstream Rock Peak: #12, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: "This Is the Time (Ballast)" was one of my favorite rock singles of 2014, and they followed up... with this? Watered down by poor lyrics of selfishness and debauchery, the song tries to tell us the dangers about the media, but this fails in its purpose. It's very catchy I guess, and passable, but I'd stick to "Ballast" or "Jenny". Skip this and listen to them instead. B-
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 27, 2015 0:04:53 GMT -5
Stars
Sixx:A.M.
From: Modern Vintage
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSNeeVLEnd8 (since that's a live performance, those who want to listen to the actual song can listen to it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbjLTK2VYXA)
Mainstream Rock Peak: #6, Chart Run: 28 weeksReview: The second single from "Modern Vintage" by Nikki Sixx's side-project was released after "Gotta Get It Right" which barely missed the top 10. It's better than "Right", the lyrics are passable and the song reeks of a lot of energy, so yeah, it's good... just not as good as "Lies of the Beautiful People". The song's good... I guess. C+
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Jul 29, 2015 0:20:16 GMT -5
Everywhere I Go (Kings and Queens)
New Politics
From: Vikings
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdMeiRlOz1
Alternative Peak: #19, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: Danish band New Politics left RCA and signed to Warner Bros. (and are under Fall Out Boy's DCD2 Records as well) despite a successful prior era. Their latest lead single (which isn't a mash up of Hollywood Undead's party anthem and Thirty Seconds to Mars' 2010 hit single) is pretty catchy, but at the same time, is filled with obnoxiousness ("Downtown hopping fences, I smashed a window on a Lexus... This one’s for everyone that said i’m nothing, this one’s for my friends that don’t give a f**k", among some other lyrics). "Harlem" had some poor lyrics, but that was more fun that this. So yeah, you may as well skip it. C
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Aug 22, 2015 19:47:34 GMT -5
I will continue this after my exams (i.e. in September).
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Sept 8, 2015 7:01:36 GMT -5
An Island
Chevelle
From: La Gárgola
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF6SiL1vhu8
Mainstream Rock Peak: #17, Chart Run: 15 weeksReview: The third single from the rock band's latest album underperformed, probably due to some momentum lost from "Hunter Eats Hunter", which just scraped the top 10 on Mainstream Rock. This song is pretty good, and Pete Loeffler never fails to impress with his aggressive vocals and impressive guitar work. B+
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Sept 8, 2015 7:10:04 GMT -5
I Want Out
Young Guns
From: Ones and Zeroes
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISDIAVarYjU
Mainstream Rock Peak: #16, Chart Run: 22 weeksReview: I don't get the hype of Young Guns. It's not that I hate them, but I prefer to listen to other harder alternative rock. Take "Room To Breathe" by You Me At Six and songs from Rise Against and Green Day for example. That doesn't mean I hate them though, as "Bones" was decent, though it wasn't one of my favorite rock songs of 2013. After that song hit no. 1, their remaining singles flopped. They managed to escape that trend for a while to some extent with this song, which went top 20. The song, like "Bones", is pretty decent; Gustav Wood's vocals are great, and the instrumentation is passable, even though it isn't as excellent as those other bands. I'm giving this a B- and a mild recommendation, but I've heard better songs in the same vein as this.
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Sept 8, 2015 7:40:25 GMT -5
Follow Me Down
The Pretty Reckless
From: Going to Hell
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfwJ-SoYw4U
Mainstream Rock Peak: #1, Chart Run: 30 weeksReview: Almost every listener on rock radio would know "Heaven Knows", the breakout hit for the rock band led by Taylor Momsen (of Gossip Girl). Their next single was a generic rock song which acknowledges that we live in a fvcked up world. Then we have this. And it's another generic rock song. It doesn't start well, doing so with sexual moaning. Then we hear Momsen asking (presumably a boy) to follow her down to the river and we hear generic lyrics associated with the active rock genre (dying). I guess it's catchy, but it's nothing that would ask me to come back from more. If I wanted to listen to catchy female-fronted rock music, give me Wolf Alice and Kill it Kid, or even Halestorm. It's passable, but not outstanding, and they've yet to give me a single as good as "Heaven Knows". Skip it! C-
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Sept 8, 2015 7:45:07 GMT -5
Rock or Bust
AC/DC
From: Rock or Bust
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NdHySPJr8I
Mainstream Rock Peak: #8, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: Do I really have to do another review on an AC/DC single? Because my thoughts on this are the same as that of "Play Ball". B-
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Sept 8, 2015 7:54:14 GMT -5
Million Miles an Hour
Nickelback
From: No Fixed Address
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVwTaTEpT8I
Mainstream Rock Peak: #11, Chart Run: 19 weeksReview: Here we are with our second Nickelback track, and I think it's pretty cool. It has a tinge of dance in the intro, and eventually leads to a catchy chorus. B-
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Sept 8, 2015 8:03:19 GMT -5
Long Way Down
Robert DeLong
From: In the Cards
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdHKIx6smag
Alternative Peak: #3, Chart Run: 29 weeksReview: As alternative strays away from the pop crossover trend, it has been looking for other similar sub-genres, such as alternative rap (Yelawolf and Macklemore) and EDM artists with indie elements. This song belongs to the latter, and is from none other than Washington-based EDM artist Robert DeLong, who previously hit the chart with "Global Concepts" in 2013. "Long Way Down" is his breakout hit, as it scaled the charts quickly and eventually reached the top 3. I must say this song is cool, with some excellent production that isn't too poppy. DeLong also sounds great. Recommended. A-
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Sept 8, 2015 8:24:22 GMT -5
Cecilia and the Satellite
Andrew McMahon In the Wilderness
From: Andrew McMahon In the Wilderness
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_zY_jSVXSU
Alternative Peak: #5, Chart Run: 46 weeks and counting
Triple A Peak: #7, Chart Run: 24 weeksReview: So yeah, this entered the top 20 in late 2014, only to reach the top 5 seven months later. In case you don't know who Andrew McMahon is, he's mostly famous for being part of Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate, both bands of which disbanded, and now he's pursuing a solo career. I actually like this song, which is an indie pop piano ballad dedicated to his daughter. His voice sounds great and the lyrics are sweet. It's a deserved hit for McMahon, and I'll take this. A
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Sept 9, 2015 2:00:14 GMT -5
Lampshades On Fire
Modest Mouse
From: Strangers to Ourselves
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=he16ctlqAgU
Alternative Peak: #1, Chart Run: 21 weeks
Triple A Peak: #1, Chart Run: 21 weeksReview: Modest Mouse haven't released anything prior to this since 2007, and this is their lead single from their sixth album, "Strangers to Ourselves". You guys know them from their hit singles "Float On" and "Dashboard", and now, this, which is perhaps their most successful single since "Float", an indie staple in the 2000s. So did Isaac Brock and company live up to expectations? Well, as evidenced in this song, they indeed do. The song is really catchy and Brock sounds great too. There are some poor lyrics ("our ass looks great inside these jeans"), but this overcome by the great production of the song. "Lampshades" spent 2 weeks at no.1 on my personal chart. A
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Sept 9, 2015 2:13:02 GMT -5
Budapest
George Ezra
From: Wanted On Voyage
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHrLPs3_1Fs
Alternative Peak: #6, Chart Run: 29 weeks
Triple A Peak: #1, Chart Run: 30 weeksReview: As I mentioned earlier, folk and indie folk were revived on Alternative with Vance Joy's "Riptide" (review is on the previous page). But later in late 2014-2015, the singer-songwriter genre bloomed with artists such as George Ezra and James Bay scoring hits on alternative. Now let's talk about Ezra. He's an English singer, and his album was HUGE in the UK, having been certified platinum there thrice and also spent many weeks in the top 10 there. He then managed to successfully break out with this single in the States, first on AAA, then Alternative and finally, Modern Adult Contemporary and Pop. "Budapest" was a hit more so for the first three formats (especially AAA). And now, let me talk about the song. Like "Lampshades On Fire", I feel that it's a carefree and fun song, but my main issue is his pronunciation of some of the words in the song, which can be misinterpreted as "ah di bi doe", when in fact it is "I'll leave it all" (this has been a joke discussed in the rock forum). I'll still take it though. B+
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Sept 10, 2015 21:37:35 GMT -5
Gooey
Glass Animals
From: Zaba
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIA1XQnAv5s
Alternative Peak: #19, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: So yeah, another new band to break out. Here we're referring to the British indie pop band Glass Animals, who released their album Zaba, which has been selling consistently (though in small amounts), and is fronted by David Bayley. I wasn't into this song at first, but I eventually digged the chill production of the song. My main issue with the song is the cringe-worthy lyrics (Right, my little pooh bear, wanna take a chance? ... You just wanna know those peanut butter vibes). Overall, it's passable, but the lyrics could be better. C+
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Sept 10, 2015 21:41:33 GMT -5
Kathleen
Catfish and the Bottlemen
From: The Balcony
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrrcVxnjJO8
Alternative Peak: #16, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: And here we have another new band to break out, this one is the Welsh indie rock band Catfish and the Bottlemen. This song kicks so much ass, with so much energy in the song, superb guitar work from Johnny Bond, and great vocals from Ryan McCann. This without making the song too aggressive for it not to be indie. A rock poster here compared this as a blend of Foo Fighters and Cage the Elephant, and I gotta say that I agree with him. Great song. A+
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Sept 10, 2015 21:56:58 GMT -5
Carnivore
Starset
From: Transmissions
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TkokQjF71Q
Mainstream Rock Peak: #16, Chart Run: 21 weeksReview: This is the second single from Ohio-based band Starset, whose song "My Demons" was a huge hit in 2014. That song was epic and kicked so much ass; it's one of my favorite songs of 2014. Their follow-up is great too, having some great guitar work, but while "My Demons" was a meaningful song about needing a savior, this song has worse lyrics, and the chorus is meaningless. The production saves the lyrics from making this song barely passable, but it's my least favorite of the three singles of "Transmissions". As a whole, good song though. B
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Sept 10, 2015 22:06:10 GMT -5
Apocalyptic
Halestorm
From: Into the Wild Life
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PXkCAiV0Ww
Mainstream Rock Peak: #1, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: Of the female-fronted bands currently in the mainstream rock scene right now, Halestorm is one of my favorites, though that isn't saying much, as I tend to prefer male-fronted bands. But Lzzy Hale has a great voice (but NOT her screaming) and I generally like the instrumentation in Halestorm's songs. The main problem that plagues their songs is the lyrics, for example in this song, "I'll wear my 9 inch heels when we go to bed". The song's catchy too, but there are so many other songs that I prefer in the active rock charts now. Good, but not great. C+
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Post by Daryl the Beryl on Sept 10, 2015 22:15:59 GMT -5
Deep Six
Marilyn Manson
From: The Pale Emperor
Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5LZ8YErl2M
Mainstream Rock Peak: #8, Chart Run: 20 weeksReview: Recently, Marilyn Manson hasn't been as successful as the singer's previous days when he was (and still is) best known as the Antichrist Superstar. He got dropped from Interscope, and his 2012 album didn't really sell well. But in late 2014 MM released this song, which has become their highest peaking song , and "The Pale Emperor" was a success too, managing a #6 peak on the Album charts, as well as having their highest first-week-sales since 2007. This was the first song I've heard from the industrial-rock band, and I dig it. The lyrics are great (for MM standards) (notice that 6 is repeated thrice in each line of the chorus instead of once, and keep your ears on the lookout on the wordplay in the bridge), and the instrumentation rocks. If you are a fan of MM, then you'll love this. A
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