Record Store Day Countdown: Dead By Sunrise – Out Of Ashes

CD, Record Store

The countdown to Record Store Day continues today with a look at Dead By Sunrise and their only LP, Out of Ashes, that will be released on “black ice” vinyl for the first time in North America. For those unfamiliar with the band, they were fronted by Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington and included Ryan Shuck and Amir Derakh from Orgy. This album was officially released on September 30th, 2009 and was produced by veteran hit-maker Howard Benson. This “RSD First” release is limited to just 7,500 copies and comes courtesy of Warner Records.

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Record Store Day Countdown: Filter – The Very Best Things (1995-2008)

CD, Record Store

Today we are launching the first day of a Record Store Day countdown to the annual vinyl celebration of indie record stores, that occurs this year on April 20, 2024. Each day you can look forward to a different vinyl release that I will dive into with exclusive pictures, reviews of the packaging and material, as well as a brief write-up of what to expect on the recording. Kicking things off is Filter with their Craft Recordings compilation known as The Very Best Things (1994-2008).

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Misner & Smith – “Sadie’s Song” (Video Premiere)

Misner & Smith

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest video from Americana songwriting duo Misner & Smith called “Sadie’s Song.” Misner& Smith is the duo of Sam Misner (guitar) and Megan Smith, and they’re truly onto something great on songs like this. On this vibrant track that comes from their new LP, All Is Song, this duo capture the spirit of classic songwriters like Fleetwood Mac and Joni Mitchell in the best ways possible.

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Faulty Cognitions – “Your Inheritance” (Song Premiere)

Faulty Cognitions

Today I’m so excited to introduce everyone to a great band called Faulty Cognitions, who are providing an early listen to their new single called “Your Inheritance.” Faulty Cognitions are a brand new quartet from San Antonio, TX, and they announce their arrival with a chiming, subtly melancholic guitar line – brand new yet instantly familiar. When speaking on his band’s new single, lead vocalist Chris Mason shared, “‘Your Inheritance’ is a story about power and privilege.” If you’re enjoying the early listen, please consider pre-ordering their new LP Somehow, Here We Are that releases on April 12th via Cercle Social Records here.

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Interview: Anthony Raneri of Bayside

Bayside

Recently I was able to catch up with Anthony Raneri of Bayside to discuss everything that went into their new album, There Are Worse Things Than Being Alive, that just dropped today. The latest record, Bayside’s ninth in total, is a great mix of all the elements that made the band rise to fame in the genre, and as Anthony puts it in the interview, “It sounds like Bayside, but better.” Bayside are currently on tour in support of the new album, and tour dates are below.

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Review: Sum 41 – Heaven :x: Hell

Sum 41 - Heaven :x: Hell

There’s something to be said about going out on your own terms. Over time there have been plenty of athletes, actors, artists, and bands who have hung on too long to try and recapture that early spirit found in their careers, with mixed results. Sum 41 announced that Heaven :x: Hell, their eighth studio album, would be their final record in their career, and what a hell of a way to “call your own shot” by leaving behind a bulletproof discography. This double album plays out like a greatest hits compilation in the way that they touch on various stages of their career. The early songs, found on the Heaven side, lean closer to their pop-punk roots, while the back half (Hell) relies on heavy riffing and metal-tinged elements. By delivering what I consider to be their finest and most complete work of art to date, Sum 41 can look fondly back upon their legacy.

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Sleepytime Gorilla Museum – “Salamander In Two Worlds” (Video Premiere)

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest music video from Sleepytime Gorilla Museum called “Salamander In Two Worlds.” On this dance-filled track that is sure to make you feel something, this band showcases why they’re on the rising acts in the music world. Gooby Herms, the director of the video, says inspiration was found: “In the depths of woods in upstate New York, where the frogs sing their last chorus of the season and whispers of the falling leaves provide the harmony. Amidst this tranquil solitude, we delved into themes of loss and isolation. And dance.” If you’re enjoying the latest single, you can listen to the band’s latest LP Of The Last Human Being that’s currently on all streaming services. I was also able to catch up with this band for a brief interview below.

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Review: Barely Civil – I’d Say I’m Not Fine

The third studio album from Barely Civil, called I’d Say I’m Not Fine, takes a dramatic leap in their artistic growth and highlights the young band’s ability to fully realize their vision for their music. When I last caught up with the band to discuss the new record, they explained that the title of the record, and the song titles themselves, complete the statement of “I’d say I’m…” This creative approach to each of the tracks connects the LP in a way that is sure to keep longtime fans of the band engaged, and for new fans to discover one of the best albums to be released this year. I’d Say I’m Not Fine is a gripping listening experience, it takes listeners on a thrilling ride, and still leaves plenty of room for people to make their own interpretations on these songs. While Barely Civil did an outstanding job of paying homage to the artists they were influenced by on their sophomore record, I’ll Figure This Out, this album blows away all expectations from this talented band and cements them as one of the marquee acts in the emo scene.

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Review: Zaq Baker – “Treadmill”

Zaq Baker - "Treadmill"

The latest single from pop singer Zaq Baker, called “Treadmill,” is a stripped down pop song that features the artist Corzine and is a piano-laced ballad in the style of artists like Ben Folds, Billie Eilish, and Clairo. Baker’s harmonies with Corzine are well-constructed and shimmer off the speakers with ease. Zaq Baker shared, “In just one madcap year, my catalogue has enjoyed many wardrobe changes — piano rock, pop-punk, synthpop, musical theatre, a piano-and-strings album, even a McCartney send-up — made possible by dozens of incredible collaborators. “Treadmill” reflects the fact that now it’s time for something new. Hayley [Corzine] makes all the words sparkle.’” The single brings in some other instruments, like the cello and some programmed drums, to provide a landscape for the introspective lyrics. While a treadmill may not take us anywhere, Zaq Baker is well on his way to making his mark in the crowded music scene.

Kate Clover – “Here Comes The Love Bomb” (Song Premiere)

Kate Clover

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single from Kate Clover called “Here Comes The Love Bomb.” Taken from her upcoming LP, The Apocalypse Dream, out everywhere music is sold on April 5th, Clover commands the song from the first notes and never lets up on this raucous single. If you’re enjoying the latest track, you can pre-order Kate Clover’s new record here. I was also able to catch up with Kate for a brief interview below.

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Grant Summerland – “The Ballad of Captain Chup” (Song Premiere)

Grant Summerland

Today is a great day to share the news that Grant Summerland has returned with a new single and the announcement of a brand new EP, entitled Unnatural History II. Summerland is sharing his lead single, “The Ballad of Captain Chup,” that showcases a harsher guitar and ambient sound presenting a darker and more mature soundscape for the much loved pop-punk melodies soaked in reverb. If you’re enjoying the early listen to the new single, please consider pre-ordering the EP here. I was also able to catch up with Grant Summerland for a brief interview below.

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Review: Tokyo Police Club – Forcefield

Tokyo Police Club - Forcefield

Have you ever felt like an album compelled you to buy it? That strange, out of body experience that lures you towards the record in hopes that you’ll take a chance on listening to it? Funny enough, that seemed to happen to me in the case of Tokyo Police Club and their third studio album, Forcefield. I was browsing the record bins at my local shop when I saw behind the counter a white-covered LP that simply said “Tokyo Police Club – Forcefield” in a faded-stylized stamp. Having heard of the band through my friend at work, there was something in the world that told me I needed to have that record. What I wasn’t expecting when I first let the needle hit the vinyl was for Tokyo Police Club to quickly become one of my favorite bands in the world. Forcefield takes your breath away, from the early opus of “Argentina” to the cautious closing of “Feel The Effect,” the 9-song LP hits all the intended targets and still left room for future growth on subsequent releases. I would later backtrack through the band’s catalog of their debut EP, A Lesson In Crime, their first full-length of Elephant Shell, and the brilliance found on their breakthrough record, Champ. Forcefield still holds its own to this day, albeit ten years down the road from its release, and I’m just as drawn in to its magic.

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Jose Lobo – “Nuevos días (versión alternativa)” (Song Premiere)

Jose Lobo

Today is a great day to share the latest single and lyric video from Jose Lobo called “Nuevos días (versión alternativa).” On this great-sounding new track, Lobo channels his love for sweeping instrumentation and big hooks. Lobo shared:

’Nuevos días’ is a song written right before the year ended back in 2020 to 2021. It is a song that predicts the year will come silent and asks to know already what lies ahead, impatiently and at the same time it questions the notion of planning the year ahead because in my mind no matter how hard I tried to plan everything what brought me the most joy tended to always be a surprise. This new version comes with voice recordings that are extremely personal and further set the song in a time period of my life. With electric guitars and a bigger production, the song hopes to emulate the turmoil my mind and that of many others can sometimes enter during the winter season.

I was also able to catch up with this talented artist for a brief interview below.

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