Papa Roach - Metamorphosis 0 comments

Label: DGC/Interscope
Rating: 5 Guns

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Written By: Jim Markunas

"Holy F%&$!!!" is the only phrase I can think of to describe "Metamorphosis," Papa Roach's 5th Major label offering, and followup to 2006's "Paramour Sessions." Having abandoned their metal roots for a more dangerous, biker-bar sound, Papa Roach have crowned themselves the new kings of dangerous; one-upping fellow rock bands like Avenged Sevenfold and Buckcherry.

Papa Roach made a promise to pummel their listeners with full-on rock, opening with the instrumental "Days of War," and delivered, ripping immediately into the altruistic-yet-in-your-face, "Change or Die."

Street-single "Hollywood Whore" follows third, and showcases the classic Papa Roach sound found on "Love.Hate.Tragedy" and "Getting Away With Murder." The song is obviously about stereotypical Hollywood party girls, but the juxtoposition of Jacoby's angry and bitterly comical lyrics take the old story to another level of rock; as does the anti-love song "I Almost Told You That I Loved You."

Current single, "Lifeline" channels classic rock, and sounds a bit like U2 on meth (see video below). P. Roach's guitar player Jerry Horton shows his stuff on this track, proving once and for all that Nu-Metal bands can play a guitar solo if they want to!

"Had Enough," in addition to protesting this nation's war-mongering spirit, in a way re-vamps "Forever," the middle single from "Paramour Sessions," but throws in a little bit of the Deftones' and Interpol's cerebral brand of rock.

"Live This down" just plain kicks ass. Enough said.

The last half of "Metamorphosis" becomes experimental and rock-opera-esq (not a criticism). Each song from track 8-12 fits into a running theme, showcases Papa Roach's versatility, and channels the pomp of glam rock.

I don't usually pester people to buy albums (afterall, I am a journalist), but... Everyone out there HAS to buy this album. Please click the links in this review to get "Metamorphosis" off iTunes and/or Amazon.

Papa Roach - "Lifeline" (Video)

Rise Against – “Appeal To Reason” 0 comments

Label: Interscope/DGC
Rating: 3.5 Guns

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Written By: Jim Markunas

Rise Against brilliantly thrusts Orange County-influenced hardcore punk back into the foreground with their second major-label offering, “Appeal To Reason.” Hailing from Chicago, IL, Rise Against is like a more serious Offspring, or the Anti-Flag that you can bring home to mom and dad.

A little less straight-up hardcore then debut album, “The Sufferer And The Witness,” new album, “Appeal To Reason” is a slight change in direction that suits the band perfectly.

“Collapse (Post-America)” leads with a bang, with punk-rock drums and heavily distorted guitars, and “Long Forgotten Sons” showcases the coolest guitar riff in rock music history. It’s impossible not to head-bang to these songs.

It’s hard not to like lead single “Re-Education (Through Labor)” which reminisces of Nirvana, and “The Dirt Whispered” which basks in the nostalgic emotional music of 2003.

“Kotov Syndrome,” “From Heads Unworthy,” and “The Strength To Go On,” flowing one into the next, are “Appeal To Reason’s” heavy-hitting punk-rock interlude. Cinematic as they are punk, these three songs will keep the repeat button on your CD player or iPod employed for at least a week.

Rise Against – “Audience Of One”

“Audience Of One” showcases Rise Against’s ability to write great songs fit for any arena.

“Hero Of War” puts the band’s diversity to test; Reminiscent of Bob Dylan in the 1960s.

Much like it begins, “Appeal To Reason” also ends with a bang. Album-closers, “Hairline Fracture” and “Whereabouts Unknown,” smashes listeners in the head with punk, dry lungs, and sing-along choruses.

All-in-all, the new Rise Against is definitely worth buying.

Much like Rage Against The Machine, Rise Against practices what they preach, printing their CD with vegetable ink on recycled paper. The album also contains a list of recommended pro-activist books and movies.

Like Rise against? You may also like: The Offspring, Rage Against The Machine, Anti-Flag, Pennywise

Weezer - Red Album 0 comments

Label: DGC/Interscope
Rating: 4 Guns

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Every time Weezer puts out an album, you have to wonder how their going to top it on the next album. It's been 3 years since 2005's "Make Believe," and Weezer has once again managed to out-do themselves.

Cramming pop, art-rock, and grunge comfortably into a 1970s garage band opus, the "Red Album," Weezer's newest major label offering shows that they haven't lost their edge.

If you liked "Pinkerton" and the "Green Album," you'll absolutely love the "Red Album"

"Troublemaker," the album's lead track, sounds like a 70s rock song with goofy lyrics, complete with teen angst and heavy guitars.

"The Greates Man That Ever Lived" is pretty much an updated version of "Pinkerton's" "El Scorcho."

Weezer - "Pork and Beans"


The band shows they haven't lost their keen sense of humor on the uber-catchy "Pork and Beans." Although Weezer's newer fans may have trouble relating to having to use Rogaine, everyone wants a cool pair of Oakleys!

"Heart Songs," reminisces of growing up in the late 70s and 80s. Name dropping at it's finest, this ballad is one of the "Red Album's" key tracks.

"Everybody Get Dangerous" is Weezer's tribute to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Can't Stop." Picture "Can't Stop" with chunkier guitars, and a 70s vibe, and you've got "Let's Get Dangerous."

"Dreamin'" is a 50s pop ballad on steroids, and "Cold Dark World" brings the art-rock of "Pinkerton" back into Weezer's lengthy repertoire.

"Automatic" and "Thought I Knew" keep the album interesting, and feature guitar player Brian Bell on vocals.

"The Angel And The One" closes the "Red Album." A sticky-sweet power ballad, this is by far the best song on the LP. Breath-takingly mature and well-orchestrated, "The Angel And The One" shows that there's a serious guy behind Rivers Cuomo's funny guy exterior.

All-in-all the "Red Album" is definitely worth buying...so buy it. The iTunes version has 4 extra bonus tracks. (Click the link above).

Like this band? You may also like: Cake, Nerf Herder, Foo Fighters, The Rentals

Tay Zonday and Brian Bell - "Pork And Beans (Acoustic)"

White Chicks On Rap - M.I.A. - Kala 0 comments

Review by: Victoria
Label: Interscope
Rating: 4 Guns

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In 2005 M.I.A released her debut album, "Arluar," named after her father, a Tamil activist. With "Kala," M.I.A shows family love by naming her new album after her mother.

M.I.A recorded this album in India, Trinidad, Liberia, Jamaica, Australia, Japan and the US; the songs match the stamps in her passport. “Jimmy” and “Bamboo Banga” are pure Bollywood disco. “Boyz” is a diss to the “many no-money boys” all set to soca (or soul calypso) beat. "Kala" was produced by Switch, Blaqstarr, Morganics, Diplo, and Timbaland and features collaborations with Afrikan Boy, The Wilcannia Mob, and Timbaland.

One of the standout tracks is “Paper Planes,” where M.I.A and a kids choir boldly sing that all they want to do is “come and take your money" to the sounds of gun fire and cash registers. On a side note, I was in a choir as a kid and I never got to sing a lyric about robbing, carrying guns or any other kinds of shenanigans!

M.I.A and her producers were very creative with samples using the Clash’s “Straight To Hell” on “Paper Planes” and using a Pixies lyric from the song “Where Is My Mind?” on the song “20 Dollar”- which is a follow up to M.I.A’s song “10 Dollar” from "Arluar."

I have a lot of respect for M.I.A because in addition to rapping, M.I.A is a film maker and an artist. M.I.A directs her own videos and creates the artwork for her albums and singles. A collection of her works has been displayed in museums in London and published in a book called Pocko.

Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light 0 comments

Label: Interscope
Rating: 3 Guns

Teen-Angst Rockers, Jimmy Eat World are back with an 11-track collection of feel-good break-up songs. "Chase This Light," the Arizona rockers' newest effort, delivers. Similar in style to "Futures" and "Bleed American" the new record is worth buying (or downloading.)

"Big Casino," the album's first single opens the CD appropriately, with singer Jim Adkins' signature whine, and cluttered lyrics. There's some good lines in this one, "Got on old guitar, I've had for years, I'd let you buy," or my personal favorite, "There's a lot of bright ideas in books I've never read, but when the girls come talk to me I wish to hell I had."

"Let it Happen" follows suit, and is yet another rocker. If you're into Jimmy Eat world's harder stuff, you'll also like "Electable" and "Feeling Lucky." The latter two songs are complete with loud guitars and hooky choruses.

The rest of the album is fairly soft, but some stan-out tracks are "Carry You," "Gotta Be Somebody's Blues," "Chase This Light," and "Dizzy."

After listening to the album several times, my current favorite song is "Firefight," a song that follows the Rock music standard of soft crooning verses and heavy-as-hell choruses.

Check them out on JimmyEatWorld.com