album reviews
Reviews of albums old and new from iconic artists and up and coming musicians alike.
Green Day: American Idiot—A Saving Grace
In 2004, a band from California revitalized their careers with a record which sent shockwaves through the industry. That band was Green Day, an act predominantly hooked to punk, a group of aging rockers looking to latch onto the prize once more. The prize would be acclaim from critics who thought the band was derailed, falling wayward, giving up. But they were rekindling their brand as punk showmen.
Mark McConvillePublished 7 years ago in BeatBrand New: A Retrospection and a Record of Wonder
It came like a red alert, it startled many minds, it now dazzles with its emotional entanglement, proving that the New York band Brand New love to surprise. They did so with their new record Science Fiction, an album which truly resonates, and an opus, formidable in its execution. With all the hype surrounding it, 500 copies of it were sent to unsuspecting fans who pre-ordered. This sent shockwaves through the industry, it managed to create a storm of bewilderment, but nobody complained.
Mark McConvillePublished 7 years ago in BeatNeck Deep: 'The Peace and the Panic' – Album Review
Pop punk is a strained genre and it has many acts under its umbrella. But, there’s always a shiny gem, a diamond in the rough pushing through for glory. That band is Neck Deep, an act raising hairs with their brand of loud, unapologetic, emotive, sneers. Led by vocalist Ben Barlow, they add a sense of intelligence to a scene which has somewhat faltered over the years. This stems from lacklustre releases and a bloated formula, sounds which imitate, and that’s not good for a genre that should be celebrated for its glittering past.
Mark McConvillePublished 7 years ago in BeatReview: Rob Markman's 'Write To Dream'
From covering rappers as editor and writer for platforms like Complex, VIBE, The Source, MTV, XXL, to currently holding down the position of Head of Artist Relations at Genius—Rob Markman has now embarked on a new venture. Last month he released his official debut album, Write To Dream, and it was a surprise to everyone. A pleasant surprise, that is.
Sadé SanchezPublished 7 years ago in BeatReview of Tyler, The Creator's 'Flower Boy'
Tyler, the Creator has released his fourth studio album, FlowerBoy—the follow up to his 2013 CherryBomb. The 14-track album features the likes of Frank Ocean, Lil Wayne, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell, Estelle, Rex Orange County and more. On the production side, Tyler enlisted... well just himself. Yup, Tyler produced and wrote the entire album. Surprised? Not really, his name is "the Creator” and well he's always been the master mind behind his albums. The guy is a creative genius, you should expect this by now. What happens next is not much of a surprise either.
Sadé SanchezPublished 7 years ago in BeatDry The River - Shallow Bed
In 2009, Dry the River made their name through numerous festival performances and charity gigs. Although they were members of post-punk hard-core bands, their folky gospel sound is refreshing to the ear. Shallow Bed, their debut album released in 2012 is far from disappointing with a distinct depth across the album acquired by the effective layering of instruments.
Maddie ChristyPublished 7 years ago in BeatAlbum Review- ACCEPT -Rise of Chaos (Nuclear Blast Records)
Legendary German metal stalwarts Accept have just released their new album Rise of Chaos, the follow-up to their 2014 release Blind Rage and their first since yet another lineup change. On the final track "Race To Extinction," vocalist Mark Tornillo sings, "We can change this story, adapt and compromise, balance is mandatory, open your eyes. Is this the race to extinction... a race to the end." He's singing about deeper world issues of course, but in the opinion of some longtime fans, he might as well be singing about his band and their place in the 2017 metal landscape.
John ParksPublished 7 years ago in BeatAvicii - AVICI (01) Review
After a sudden hiatus around a year ago, the creator of 'Levels' and 'Wake Me Up' has returned with a brand new EP, featuring the likes of AlunaGeorge, Rita Ora and Sandro Cavazza on two of the six tracks.
Jacob TittertonPublished 7 years ago in BeatPositive Metal
If the Deftones would constantly have two guitar players on duty, this would be it. Welcome! Grab a chair, lean back, and get ready to enjoy a good piece of art. Just as if you were about to drink great wine but with just a little bit of cork aftertaste. Whether the latter is pleasing or not lies in the ''mouth'' of the beholder (or ear, to be more precise).
Pierre FeltzPublished 7 years ago in BeatAlbum Review — Dirkschneider
Available now on all formats (well, okay not cassette) is this live document of heavy metal icon Udo Dirkschneider and his current band kicking all sorts of ass on his legendary Accept back catalog. This title is actually a reissue of last year's CD release but with the added bonus of a DVD/Blu-ray (more on that later) as well as extra tracks and some special new colored vinyl variations.
John ParksPublished 7 years ago in BeatDeliberating the Go-Go’s Vacation on its 35th Anniversary
After a six-week run atop Billboard’s 200 album chart with the multi-platinum debut album Beauty and the Beat, all-girl rock group the Go-Go’s hurriedly released the follow-up sophomore effort, Vacation. Echoes of previous singles “We Got the Beat” and “Our Lips Are Sealed” could still be heard across radio airwaves when “Vacation” became the band’s third hit single in the summer of ’82. The bubbly title track was the first-ever cassette single and was accompanied by its vivid and playful music video, which revealed the band members hamming it up while pretending to be highly skilled water skiers.
Eric AllenPublished 7 years ago in BeatSweetSexySavage
The iconic SweetSexySavage album by Kehlani was released on January 27, 2017 and the world was saved. Okay maybe not really but the world got an unforgettable piece of music that will never become irrelevant. The album is only 58 minutes and 29 seconds long, and you'll enjoy every second of it. These are my favourite songs from the album!