album reviews
Reviews of albums old and new from iconic artists and up and coming musicians alike.
Sparkly, Dreamy, Cosy: Ranking Songs from Taylor Swift's 'Lover'
If someone looked at my Spotify playlist, they’d see a rainbow of selections, from Green Day to Evanescence to musical soundtracks. Country-turned-pop princess Taylor Swift also turns up somewhere in between, so it was only natural I would check out her newest album.
By Eve Volungeviciute5 years ago in Beat
Forms of 'Fly from Here' Lingering
After Yes' 35th Anniversary Tour, the band ended up going on a hiatus. Many years later, Jon Anderson would admit that he left Yes in 2004. By 2008, there were plans to commemorate the 40th anniversary with the Close to the Edge And Back Tour. Other Yes veterans would have included Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass), and Alan White (drums). Rick Wakeman's son Oliver Wakeman joined the band in his father's place.
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Beat
Jon Pardi - 'Heartache Medication' Album - A Review
Jon Pardi has without a doubt been up and coming in the Country music scene for many years now, making a standout impact in 2016 with his second album California Sunrise that included number one smash hit "Dirt on My Boots." Now, Pardi is back with his third studio album, entitled Heartache Medication, which is already making waves in Country radio, and has created an exclusive buzz following its September 27th release.
By Leah Sherlock5 years ago in Beat
Abbey Road’s Lasting Legacy
"And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make." These lyrics are the official ending to one of the greatest chapters in all of history. "The End" sits at the conclusion of Abbey Road, the Beatles magnum opus. Despite the song clocking in at just over two minutes long, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison each have a guitar solo, allowing the band to come together one final time before the very end. Even Ringo Starr has his own drum solo, which makes a rare appearance on the track. This song is what truly signifies the completion of an era.
By Shandi Pace5 years ago in Beat
'Magnification' - Pure Imagination in a Metaphoric Dream
After The Ladder Tour, Billy Sherwood left Yes (though he would return much later). In 2000, the band embarked on their Masterworks Tour, with the set list decided by fan votes and including epics "Close to the Edge," "Ritual," and "The Gates of Delirium." During the tour, keyboardist Igor Khoroshev was involved in an incident involving two female security guards. After he left the band, the Yes lineup was down to Jon Anderson (vocals), Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass), and Alan White (drums).
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Beat
'The Ladder' - Living Within the Vision
After the Open Your Eyes Tour wrapped up in 1998, the Yes lineup of Jon Anderson (vocals), Steve Howe (guitar), Igor Khoroshev (keys), Billy Sherwood (rhythm guitar), Chris Squire (bass), and Alan White (drums) felt ready to record another album. Needing an outside perspective, they decided to work with producer Bruce Fairbairn at Armoury Studios in Vancouver. While Open Your Eyes was very poppy, the poppiness on the next album that became The Ladder was dialed back a bit, and there was plenty of prog rock. The album felt like a good blend of old and new. It includes ethnic instruments, some of which were played by Randy Raine-Reusch. In addition, Rhys Fulber contributed dance loops, and The Marguerita Horns played horns.
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Beat
'Open Your Eyes' - Yes Caught at the Crossroads
In 1997, keyboardist Rick Wakeman left Yes (again) after being displeased with promotional strategies regarding the Keys to Ascension albums and the lack of communication with Yes management. As a result, some tour dates were canceled. Billy Sherwood, who had been mixing the studio tracks on Keys to Ascension 2, decided to come in and help since he wanted Yes to keep on going. He had known bassist Chris Squire since the late 1980s, and was considered as a potential replacement for vocalist Jon Anderson prior to 1991s Union. Though Anderson's voice replaced Sherwood's on "The More We Live-Let Go," Sherwood's bass playing remained intact. In 1992, he had toured with Squire as part of The Chris Squire Experiment (with Alan White on drums). And in 1994, Sherwood performed with Yes at their shows on the Talk Tour. Plus, in 1995, he sang "Wonderous Stories" on the tribute album Tales from Yesterday. So he wasn't a musician who came from nowhere; he was very familiar with Yes music and had worked with Yes members.
By Steven Shinder5 years ago in Beat
Brooke White Talks New Album 'Calico' Coming Out 10/4!
“I always told myself I’d get to Nashville,” Brooke White sings on the eponymous track off her upcoming album, Calico. The former American Idol alum had dreamed of moving to Nashville her entire career to make a “real” country album, but life had other plans. Those plans included becoming the mother of two, starting her own web series, The Girls With Glasses. It was through this journey, along with a little bit of opportunity coming her way, that Brooke embraced her Cali lifestyle, and incorporated it into her music.
By All’s Fair in Love & Writing5 years ago in Beat
Charli XCX - 'Charli': Worst to Best
Firstly, this website seems to have had a large update so we'll see how making this article goes. Secondly, I don't dislike or find any song on this album disinteresting (I don't think I do anyway, opinions change). Also, it's been fairly difficult to rank the lower half of this album, so even more than usual it doesn't mean much. I'm pretty certain about the top end though!
By Cronan Parry5 years ago in Beat