Review: A Day To Remember – Big Ole Album Vol. 1

The eighth studio album from A Day To Remember, called Big Ole Album Vol. 1, finds the band at a bit of a crossroads. This is the first record without founding bassist Josh Woodard, who departed the band in October 2021 due to allegations of misconduct, and A Day To Remember try to regain their footing after the lukewarm reception of their last record, You’re Welcome. Big Ole Album Vol. 1 features a litany of producers, six in total, including lead vocalist Jeremy McKinnon and the album has a bit of a tough time finding its direction. The album feels like an A Day To Remember record, but with so many artistic directions taken here, it’s a bit of a jarring listening experience. Instead, the album plays out almost like a “Greatest Hits” set that goes through the ground the band covered since their early days to now. Preceded by a physical only release on February 21st of this year, the streaming date has arrived for an album that has already achieved a Top Five Billboard 200 debut.

Adam Grundy 1 day ago

For the last decade, Radiator King has been the moniker of NYC-via-Boston solo artist Adam Silvestri. But since he moved to L.A. in 2021 at the urging of longtime collaborator / drummer / Dresden Dolls co-founder Brian Viglione, the two have teamed up with keyboardist Alexander Burke to form a proper band with each member contributing to the writing process. Today, Radiator King has released the video for “The Second Coming,” their garage rock-heavy single that is a crowd-pleasing anthem. I was able to connect with Silvestri for an interview about the new single and how the band responded to working with veteran producer Ted Hutt. If you’re enjoying the music video, please consider supporting Radiator King here.

Adam Grundy 2 days ago

A couple of days ago, I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Brittany Luna (vocals) and Tim Hildebrand (guitar), of Philadelphia ska band Catbite, to discuss their newly announced EP, Doom Garden. In this interview, I asked the band members about where the EP title came from, the direction they took on Doom Garden, their recent performance doing the Operation Ivy cover set with Laura Jane Grace, and how they were able to get Patrick Stump to sing on one of the songs on the new record. Catbite will be supporting Doom Garden with a headlining tour, and the dates are below.

Adam Grundy 2 days ago

I’d like to introduce everyone to ambient rock artist, Katerina Nicole, whose debut EP, Serene In Violent Oceans, is a solid mix of heavy styles similar to Spiritbox, paired with the songwriting sensibilities of Charlotte Sands, all with a style all of her own. I asked Katerina about her great new single called “Emotionally,” the meaning behind the EP title, and what she hopes fans will take away from listening to her dynamic music. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider streaming her EP here.

Adam Grundy 3 days ago

Losing a loved one can bring out so many emotions that we didn’t know that we even had inside of us. On her heartfelt tribute to her mother who passed away from cancer, Lily Meola has returned with a new EP, affectionately labeled as Postcards To Heaven. Meola shared, “Since losing my mom, writing music has been a form of therapy for me. These songs stem from my grief and the everlasting longing I have to communicate with her. I decided to put these out on her birthday as a way to dampen the heartache that this day brings and to honor her. I hope that sharing these songs will help others who are facing grief.” By creating a touching EP that tugs on all of the right heartstrings, Meola quickly showcases the healing power of music.

Adam Grundy 1 week ago

It sure feels like Coheed and Cambria have been around much longer than 23-plus years since their debut album was released. Is it the mix of classic rock and prog rock elements that give them that nostalgic feel? Possibly. Is it the rich concepts of traveling through epic space storylines? Could be that as well. All things considered, Coheed and Cambria feel right at home with their tenth studio album, The Father of Make Believe. The record blends a lot of what Coheed have been best at over their storied career thus far, and adds in some new creative elements to their sound to prevent the album from feeling like a retread of already covered ground. Instead, The Father of Make Believe is a gripping exploration of mortality, legacy, and human connections that make us want to keep navigating through this crazy life. Look no further than the opening track of “Yesterday’s Lost” where vocalist/guitarist Claudio Sanchez ponders, “If this life ends early / Would I have spent our time right?” before later confessing, “It won’t get any easier / As I start to get old / Please share with me something / Before I lose control,” and you start to get the feeling like this band is in a reflective state of where they have been so far, and yet they embrace whatever comes next. And yes, while these lyrics are wrapped up in the space rock narrative of The Armory Wars/Vaxis storyline, there is still a beating heart behind each of these words that can be applied to the realities we all experience today. That’s the magic of Coheed and Cambria. They have been able to relate to not only their fellow “comic book nerds” but also those who appreciate great rock music that leaves us feeling fulfilled.

Adam Grundy 1 week ago

The pressure that bands must feel after delivering a successful debut album must be enormous. Add the backing of a major label to the mix, and the expectations that come with all of that, and it can be enough to make even the most confident songwriters take pause. Radiohead stormed onto the Alt Rock scene with 1993’s Pablo Honey, that spawned a now-legendary lead single in “Creep.” The debut set has gone on to sell over 1.5 million copies in the U.S. alone. The expectation from Radiohead’s label (Capitol Records) was that they could easily replicate this success on their sophomore effort, The Bends. But true art can’t be forced or so easily matched at the click of a button. The reality that began to sink in for this ultra-talented band during the songwriting sessions for this record led to the realization that they would have to go even bigger than anyone could’ve ever dreamt of. Through these sessions, The Bends has gone on to receive numerous critical accolades, including Rolling Stone’s “500 Best Albums of All Time” list and several platinum certifications worldwide.

Adam Grundy 1 week ago

Recently I was able to connect with Florida punk band, Debt Neglector, about their newly announced LP called Kinda Rips that will be released everywhere music is sold on April 4th via Smartpunk Records. In this interview with bassist/vocalist/ band founder Alex Goldfarb, I asked him about the themes present on Kinda Rips, the band’s music upbringing, and why they feel their music should connect with those upset with the political status quo. You can pre-save Kinda Rips here.

Adam Grundy 2 weeks ago

There’s a lot to love about the band Fountains of Wayne. From their humble beginnings that grew out of admiration for solidified rock bands like R.E.M. and The Cars, the band’s primary songwriters, Adam Schlesinger and Chris Collingwood, met at Williams College in Northern Massachusetts and would begin to craft not only the early stages of Fountains of Wayne, but a lifetime friendship. Fountains of Wayne is loving tribute to the beloved band that while only having one true “hit” in “Stacy’s Mom,” there was so much more to them and their music. Author Fiona McQuarrie cuts right to the core of what this band so special, talented, and does a fantastic job of researching all that went into the band’s early days, all the way to their eventual breakup. McQuarrie’s writing style is warm, and you can easily tell she is a fan of the band’s work through her endearing biography of Fountains of Wayne.

Adam Grundy 2 weeks ago

The sophomore album from Spiritbox, Tsunami Sea, is an absolute monster. The new record comes hot off the heels of 2023’s EP The Fear of Fear, and the much-buzzed about debut LP Eternal Blue, and two consecutive Grammy nominations for Best Metal Performance. The new album was co-produced by Spiritbox’s Mike Stringer and Dan Braunstein, and early on you get the vibe that the band is out for world domination, and they just may achieve their goal. From the opening visceral one-two punch of “Fata Morgana” and “Black Rainbow”, Spiritbox reinvent what it means to make a metal album today, and have filled the void with a record that demands to wash over anyone who takes the time to listen to it. Lead vocalist Courtney LaPlante can confidently go from the most punishing of screams to a softer croon with ease as she showcases why she is one of the most talented front women in today’s music scene. Spiritbox have improved vastly upon their sound that combines melodic metal, metalcore, electronica, and EDM into a massive package that will do nothing to dissuade others from joining the bandwagon.

Adam Grundy 2 weeks ago

If you’ve ever wanted to explore the vastness of space through a great-sounding ambient track that fits somewhere in the realm of Thrice’s Vheissu, paired with the sprawling rock of band’s like Caspian, IOTA CENTAURI is your next obsession. With the release of the project’s new single called “Lullaby For A Dying Sun,” IOTA CENTAURI have also announced their debut LP called Supermassive. IOTA CENTAURI is the solo moniker of TJ Fulfer, and the new album explores themes of love, loss, tragedy, and the growing distance between two people, expressed through the vastness of space, the mysteries of the universe, and the weight of darkness—all woven into sweeping soundscapes and deeply evocative melodies.

The latest single features some guest vocal spots from Ken Pendola and Meg Zahora to help round out this band’s approach to songwriting. The epic final chorus of, “And when it vanishes / Nothing is remembered / Only an emptiness / Where light once lived,” takes the concept of traveling alone through the depths of space and still hones in on the human element of what makes us all want those key connections to others.

Review: STMNTS – “Sinking In”

Adam Grundy 2 weeks ago

The latest single from Baltimore pop-punk band, STMNTS, called “Sinking In” is a passionate blend of styles similar to The Wonder Years, Bayside and the guitar-crunch of Four Year Strong. Formed in 2022, STMNTS consists of vocalist Liam King, rhythm guitarist Jamie Black, lead guitarist Drew Chiodo, bassist Josh Pelc, and drummer Shawn Smyth. The single was produced, mixed and mastered by Jeff McKinnon, with some additional production contributed by Evan Seeberger. STMNTS are coming off of the success of their well-received 2023 EP called Tendencies, and have released their second single since that last record came out with today’s “Sinking In.”

Adam Grundy 2 weeks ago

Darker Lighter is the alias of the talented musician, Salar Rajabnik, who has spent countless years on the road perfecting his songwriting craft and musicianship. Along the way, Rajabnik caught the eye of artists like Foo Fighters, Queens Of The Stone Age, and Kim Gordon, who entrusted him as their guitar tech and associate. In this interview, I asked Darker Lighter about his great new single called “Nice To Meet You,” his upcoming self-titled album, and much more.

Adam Grundy 2 weeks ago

Recently I was able to connect with TVOD (short for Television Overdose), to ask the band about their electric-charged new single, “Uniform.” The track comes from the Brooklyn, NY punk band’s debut LP, Party Time, that releases on May 9th. In this interview, I asked the band about the new single and music video, plus I had TVOD describe their live shows. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider pre-ordering Party Time here.

Adam Grundy 3 weeks ago

There are certain records that can pull you in closer to the studio and writing rooms that an artist used to create the musical landscape around them. Self-Soothing is one of those albums. Nona Invie, the ultra-talented songwriter from Minneapolis, crafts arguably her most personal LP to date. “This is a very personal record. I felt very selfish making it. Self-indulgent,” Nona says. “I am an introvert, but I need to share. This record touches on feelings of guilt and shame after a long-term relationship ended, on remembering friends who died too young, on toxic love in friendship and romance, on hopeful feelings of creating and living in a fantasy.” Over the course of eight heartfelt songs, Invie bares her full beautiful soul for all the world to see, and features some of her strongest songs to date.

Review: A Day To Remember – Big Ole Album Vol. 1

Interview: Radiator King

Interview: Catbite

Interview: Katerina Nicole

Review: Lily Meola – Postcards To Heaven

Review: Coheed and Cambria – The Father of Make Believe

Review: Radiohead – The Bends

Interview: Debt Neglector

Review: Fiona McQuarrie – Fountains Of Wayne

Review: Spiritbox – Tsunami Sea

Review: IOTA CENTAURI – “Lullaby For A Dying Sun”

Review: STMNTS – “Sinking In”

Interview: Darker Lighter

Interview: TVOD

Review: Nona Invie – Self-Soothing