Pearl Jam(Self-titled album)

Pearl Jam, by Pearl Jam, is perhaps one of the best albums this year. Hailed by critics, and fans(like me), this album is well on it's way to an Album of the Year nomination at the Grammys. If you don't think so, just listen to it. It's epic, original, and unique in many ways. After many years of being camera-shy, Pearl Jam releases a new album, only to find more fame. But anyway, This is a grunge-rock album, and band, that rivals none other than Nirvana in the genre. With songs like "Life Wasted," and "World Wide Suicide," it's hard not to love this album.

Recommendations: "Life Wasted," "World Wide Suicide," and "Gone." Other albums by Pearl Jam include Ten, Rearviewmirror, Vitalogy, Vs, and many, many, many, many, many albums of live concerts. Enjoy.

A City By the Light Divided

A City By the Light Divided is Thursday's new release. I just have to say, if you're a fan of Emery, Thrice, or Anberlin, or a combination of the three, you'll love this. With Emery's cynical and mature emo lyrics and screaming, Thrice's screaming drum beats, and Anberlin's wailing guitars, it's hard not to love this album.
Recommended listens: "Counting 5-4-3-2-1," "At This Velocity," and "Running From the Rain." Other albums from Thursday include War All the Time. Enjoy.

Funniest/Coolest Music Game Ever

Check this out. It's a spoof of street fighter, but with lead singers from the '06 Warped Tour. You can play as the guy from Motion City Soundtrack(I forget his name), Geoff from Thursday, and [drumroll please].....Spencer from Underoath!!! It's funny, kinda weird, but entertaining at the most. Enjoy!!!

Parental Advisory

Alright, since we started a short lived discussion about Melina's new CD, I thought it was important to discuss this: the Parental Advisory. What do you think about it? Do you think it's important to you? Or is it something you just don't really care about because you think you're mature enough to listen to music carrying this label? I know that I listen to music with PAs and I hear a lot of ungodly things. So, my question is, do you, as a Christian, think it's okay to listen to even some music that has this? Or do you think as Christians we should all stay away? What about edited music, or music that had a Parental Advisory but they took away all the bad things about it? What do you think about that?

The Almost

Ok, I don't have much time cuz I gotta go to church! This is UnderOath's drummer/singer's solo project. Kinda poppy-catchy. Yeah. Listen and see for yourself!!! Hope you love it as much as I do!

"Writing On the Walls" Video

"Writing On The Walls" By UnderOath. If you haven't seen this video yet, I highly recommend it. It's pretty weird, with like a 'big people, little house' theme. Anyway, enjoy.

Taking Back Sunday-Louder Now Review

Band Name: Taking Back Sunday
Album Name: Louder Now
Overall Genre: Punk/Rock/Emo
Release Year: 2006

Tracklisting:
01. "What's it Feel Like to Be a Ghost?"(B+)
02. "Liar(It Takes One to Know One)"(A+)
03. "MakeDamnSure"(A+)
04. "Up Against(Blackout)"(A-)
05. "My Blue Heaven"(A)
06. "Twenty Twenty Surgery"(B+)
07. "Spin"(A+)
08. "Divine Intervention"(B-)
09. "Miami"(B+)
10. "Error Operator"(A+)
11. "I'll Let You Live"(A)

Pros:The overall talent of the band is absolutely positively amazing; Adam's emo/screamo voice is perfect; the guitar work by the band is very catchy and the two players are a very talented duo; no negative lyrics with the exception of what's said in cons;

Cons: The constant usage of taking the Lord's name in vain(on such tracks as "What's It Feel Like to Be a Ghost?" and "Miami"); other than that, there's nothing wrong with this incredible album.

To describe this album: Epic, catchy, a masterpiece.

High Points: "Liar," "MakeDamnSure," "Error Operator."
Low Points: "What's it Feel Like to Be a Ghost?" and "Miami."

Bottom Line-
Overall Rating: A+
Replay value: 5 stars
Conclusion: Definitely worth checking out, even Matt Nichols said it was catchy. I strongly recommend this album to anybody.

Underoath-Define the Great Line Review

Okay, for those of you who haven't read my purevolume blog review of this, here it is:
Artist: Underoath
Album: Define the Great Line
Overall Genre/style: hardcore
Release year: 2006
Label: Tooth and Nail/Solid State
Subgenres: screamo, emocore, metalcore.

Tracklisting:
01. "In Regards to Myself"(B+)
02. "A Moment Suspended in Time"(A-)
03. "There Could Be Nothing After This"(A)
04. "You're Ever So Inviting"(A)
05. "Salmanir"(C)
06. "Returning Empty Handed"(A)
07. "Casting Such a Thin Shadow"(B+)
08. "Moving For the Sake of Motion"(A-)
09. "Writing On the Walls"(A+)
10. "Everyone Looks So Good From Here"(B+)
11. "To Whom it May Concern"(A+ and F)
[NOTE: I gave "To Whom it May Concern" an A+ and an F because it's an awesome song but I'm dissapointed that the CD's over *weeps*]

Pros:How the lead screamer has two screaming voices making it sound like he has multilple personalities, which makes a good addition to the storyline of the album; the overall talent of the band; how UO seemed to get harder and more metal than their previous CDs; "Writing On the Walls," is an absolutely amazing song.

Cons:"Salmanir," in my opinion, is a waste of a song; how some songs tend to over exaggerate on ambience sequences, like on "Casting Such a Thin Shadow," and "To Whom it May Concern"; how the whole CD is all about misery and torture; other than that, there's nothing wrong with this album.To define this album: Amazing, sorrowfull, kinda depressing, but yet I'm still listening.

High Points: "There Could Be Nothing After This," "Writing On the Walls," "To Whom it May Concern."
Low Points: "Salmanir."

Overall Grade: A
Replay value: 4 and 1/2 stars(out of five)
Conclusion:Underoath has made it big this time. With meaningfull lyrics that yearn for something more, and hardcore music that touches(more like pounds) my soul, I just think it's a keeper forever. Whatever.

Rise Against

Hardcore, screamo, punk-these all describe Rise Against. With their new release The Sufferer and the Witness, Rise Against strike again with catchy riffs and beats, and screaming that actually is worth listening to, unlike Dustin Kensrue's screaming voice. This is pure hardcore worth listening to if you're a pure hardcore fan.
Recommended listens: "Ready to Fall," "Under the Knife," "Injection," and "Worth Dying For." Enjoy.

Heavy Metal

Well, I've been listening to lots of heavy metal recently(as I said), and I was wondering what you think of it. Now, I'm talking heavy metal bands like Motley Crue, Black Sabbath, Guns N' Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, and stuff like that. But whatever. So, if you're a fan of the genre, I highly recommend you check out these songs: "Welcome to the Jungle"-Guns N' Roses, "Crazy Train"-Ozzy Osbourne, "Shout At the Devil"-Motley Crue, and "Iron Man"-Black Sabbath. Enjoy.

Inhale Exhale

Inhale Exhale is o awesome dude. I don't really know anything about them except that they are the newest band to Solid State Records. Right now they'r touring with... [drumroll please] HASTE THE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, I think I'm gonna go see them in August. If anyone wants to go, (if I do end up going) feel free to express that to me. Yep, check em out and let me know what you think.

Hypnotize

Remember a little while ago I posted a different System of a Down CD named Mezmerize? Well, it was actually a double album, two CDs released within the same year. Meet the sequel(or at least that's what I think of it) to Mezmerize, named Hypnotize. Aggressive metal, fast paced thrash, or just plain System of a Down, this CD rocks just as hard as all other SOAD CDs. And that's all I have to say about that. However, if you're gonna listen, I suggest you listen to the clean version. This CD has lots of bad/innapropriate stuff you'd expect from System of a Down(*cough cough F WORD cough cough*)
Recommended listens: "Hypnotize," "Stealing Society," and "Lonely Day." Other System of a Down CDs include Mezmerize, Toxicity, and Steal This Album! Enjoy.

Blink 182(Self-titled Album)

Blink 182's self-titled album is a CD I've been listening to alot lately(thanks to Melina Bennett). This one has many of the band's biggest hits like "Feeling This," and "I Miss You." Punk-pop is the key word here, because there's lots and lots of it. Though, this CD may be lacking in variety, it is still something to listen to if you're a fan of the genre.

Recommended listens: "Feeling This," "Obvious," "I Miss You," and "Down." Other albums by Blink 182 include Enema of the State, Cheshire Cat, Buddha, and Blink 182: Greatest Hits. Enjoy.

Van Halen

Well, lately I've been listening to '70s and '80s heavy metal, so I've been listening to lots of Van Halen. Definitely one of the best heavy metal bands ever. I don't really know much about the band, so I'll just say, you need to check 'em out. So, yeah.

Recommended listens: "Runnin' With the Devil," and "Eruption." Plus many more. Enjoy.

Jesus Wept

Jesus Wept is a Christian Hardcore/punk-ish band. They are so cool. Plus they put on a GREAT live show. They used to be Anchor and xDisciplex AD but members come and go and nothing was sticking for them. They're on Facedown Records. They also have an EP out and a recently released full-length titled "Show's Over." I own it, so if you wanna borrow it feel free to ask! Gutentag! (haha that means like hello in German)

Lights and Sounds

Ah, Lights and Sounds, Yellowcard's best CD in their history. One of my favorite albums, with catchy melodies, cynical emo lyrics(think Emery, but without the screaming), this is definitely one worth checking out. Alternative punk-pop at it's finest, but don't expect those same old chords repeating themselves, this one is much different. And this is proved in songs like "Sure Thing Falling," and "Holly Wood Died." But then they decided to shake it up a little with one soft rock song "Two Weeks From Twenty," not one of my favorite songs, but it's okay. Overall, this CD is, I'll say it again, definitely worth checking out.

Recommended listens: "Lights and Sounds," "Down On My Head," "Rough Landing, Holly," "Martin Sheen of JFK," and "Holly Wood Died." More CDs by Yellowcard include Ocean Avenue, and One For the Kids. Enjoy.

Vheissu

Okay, even though I already posted it, like, no one looked at that post, so I'll do it again. Here's Vheissu, Thrice's latest and greatest album. This CD, unlike all other Thrice CDs, is a Christian album, with lines such as "There's no greater love than the one who shed His blood for His friends..." and "We are not alone, we feel an unseen love...", which are no doubt Christian. Don't you agree? But that doesn't mean this CD is any less hard rocking. With songs like "Image of the Invisible," "The Earth Will Shake," and "Hold Fast Hope," it just goes to show, Thrice, no matter what the lyrics say, no matter what producer they have, they will always rock hard to the end. No questions asked.

Recommended listens: "Image of the Invisible," "The Earth Will Shake," "For Miles," "Music Box," and "Red Sky." Other CDs by Thrice include Identity Crisis, The Illusion of Safety, and The Artist in the Ambulance. Enjoy.

The Artist in the Ambulance

The Artist in the Ambulance is the second greatest Thrice album of all time(second only to Vheissu). What's incredible about this one is how the band manages to keep you concentrating on the music song after song without getting bored by having different emotions song after song. For instance, one song you may have a wailing screamo angry song, but the next might be a little more punk-pop with a curious emotion. I definitely recommend this CD to anyone who likes screamo, metal, emocore, or even maybe straight up punk-pop.

Recommended listens: "Cold Cash and Colder Hearts," "Silhouette," "Paper Tigers," and "The Artist in the Ambulance." More CDs by Thrice include The Illusion of Safety, Identity Crisis, and Vheissu(strongly recommended).

Louder Now

Louder Now, Taking Back Sunday's latest release, has climbed so high to become one of my favorite CDs of all time. Literally. With catchy pop-punk songs like "Liar(It Takes One to Know One)," and "Spin," it keeps you rocking hard all day(or at least it does to me). And then it has more of a hard punk sound like songs "What's it Feel Like to Be a Ghost," and "MakeDamnSure." So, if you like what you hear I recommend this album to you.

Recommended listens: "Liar(It Takes One to Know One)," "MakeDamnSure," "Twenty-Twenty Surgery," and "Spin." Also, check out these other releases by Taking Back Sunday: Where You Want to Be, and Tell All Your Friends. Enjoy.