Category Archives: music

music

The Brock’s Top 10 Music Albums of 2013…

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My choices for top 10 Best Music albums of 2013. These are the albums that impressed the hell out of me this year. It’s hard to find good music these days ’cause the industry gets worse every year but here are the best albums that I can find this year!!! Hope you enjoy the list….

10. Ghost B.C. – Infestissumam

This band is a Swedish metal band who chooses to remain anonymous. This band refuses to reveal their real names and their identities so they have chosen to be masked and costumed. I’ve read a lot about this band through Guitar World magazine and the more I’ve read about them, the more they intrigue me. So I finally decided to give this album a listen. At first, I was a little scared of listening to this album ’cause I was afraid I was gonna hear death metal with a lot of growling. Turns out… it wasn’t that at all. Ghost B.C. is actually very listenable. There’s no growling at all on this record as there are actual singing on it. The guitar playing is pretty sick and there are a lot of organ playing on it. I thought it was a pretty amazing and impressive album. I wanna get my own copy of it soon.
ghost-infestissumam

9. Joe Satriani – Unstoppable Momentum

The “Satch” came back for another studio album this year and this is his best yet! I respect the Satch so much ’cause while he is a shredder and virtuoso he was never about showing off of how fast he plays and all that stuff. He was always about melody and sounding musical. This album is his most melodic album ever. It’s his best since “Surfing With the Alien”. I do respect guys like Steve Vai, Ynqwie, and Eric Johnson but it’s the “Satch” who I respect the most. This is a great album ’cause it’s not really about shredding. He was more about the songwriting on this one. Even though Satriani is all instrumental music, he is great at making his music sound like they’re actual songs.
14_Joe_Satriani_Unstoppable_Momentum

8. Dream Theater – self titled

The mighty Dream Theater returned with another studio album this year — minus Mike Portnoy on the drums. Portnoy left the band a few years ago and the band recruited a new drummer by the name of, Mike Mangini. They do sound different with a new drummer and no offense to Portnoy, I think Mangini is the true Dream Theater. They sound bigger and better than ever before. This is a pretty strong album. James Labrie’s singing is just great and John Petrucci’s guitar playing is out of this world like usual. I’ve been a Dream Theater fan for a long time and this is their best album yet.
DreamTheater

7. Lorde – Pure Heroine

I never heard of Lorde until the internet started buzzing about that “Royals” song that’s been making the rounds so I decided to check out the song myself and ended up liking it myself. So I decided to check out more of her music through youtube and was digging her even more. I bought her album “Pure Heroine” and loved the album so this album is worthy for the list. Finally, some good pop music we can all listen to. This album is not that typical bubble-gum pop you hear on the radio these days. This pop music is more maturing and it’s a fun album to listen to. I couldn’t stop listening to it.
LORDE-PURE-HEROINE

6. Volbeat – Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies

I’ve been a fan of Volbeat ever since I saw them open for Metallica a few years ago. It’s hard to tell what genre they are ’cause they are always doing different things. Metal, punk, country, rockabilly, folk, etc. They blend everything together. This is a great band from Denmark and Michael Poulsen is a talented guitarist, and singer. I loved this album and wanna get my own copy soon.
Volbeat

5. Queens of the Stone Age – …Like Clockwork

QOTSA is finally back with a new album after a pretty long hiatus in the music industry. Dave Grohl has returned to drums for this band after their previous drummer, Joey Castillo left. This is their best album since “Songs For the Deaf”. It has some of Josh’s best songwriting and there are some pretty surprising collaborations on it with musicians such as Trent Reznor and Elton John.
qotsa

4. David Bowie – The Next Day

After a little over 20 years or so of being missing in action in the music business, David Bowie has finally made his album comeback. This album was announced on his birthday this year. Everybody speculated that he retired from the music business but I knew he wasn’t. He maybe done with touring and performing live but making studio albums, no. I think “The Next Day” is his best new album. This album has covered every genre and style of music he has done over the years. It has excellent guitar work on it and some of David’s best singing. I hope he doesn’t make us wait too long for his next album.
David Bowie's The Next Day

3. Black Sabbath – 13

The founding members of Black Sabbath have reunited minus Bill Ward. Fans thought Sabbath couldn’t make a good album without Bill Ward on the drums but I disagree. They STILL killed it on the album despite Bill Ward not being in the band. I thought this was a pretty sick album. Every song on it is so good. I couldn’t stop listening to it. The guys in Sabbath proved they still GOT IT, and Tony Iommi is still the riff-master. Ozzy has never been the greatest singer in the world but I was actually impressed with his singing on this album. He was more confident on it, this time.
black-sabbath-13-1370285735

2. Arcade Fire – Reflektor

Win Butler and his wife, Regine are back with another Arcade Fire album. I’ve been an Arcade Fire fan for a pretty long time and this is their best one. It sounds different than their previous albums. The songs on “Reflektor” are pretty strong and amazingly done. Every song gave me goosebumps. A lot of emotion and passion on it. I read they got the idea for this album after Win and Regine visited Haiti for the first time. Every song is so tight and aggressive. I was blown away with this album.
ARCADE-FIRE-REFLEKTOR2

1. Man Of Steel – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Hans Zimmer

When Warner Bros. announced that they are doing a new Superman movie and Zack Snyder was going to direct the film… it should be no surprise that they were going to get Hans Zimmer to score it. It was debatable whether or not Hans Zimmer could make a good score for this film. People thought he would never be able to top the original score by John Williams. Turns out myself and a lot of people were wrong. Hans Zimmer topped John Williams with no problem at all. I thought the music in “Man of Steel” was beautiful. I’m not into movie soundtracks too much but listening to the “Man of Steel” soundtrack was pretty intense. Every track gave me goosegumps. Great job, Hans. I pick “Man of Steel” soundtrack as the best album of the year.
MAN-OF-STEEL-Vinyl-Soundtrack-by-Hans-Zimmer1

It’ll be a few more weeks for the movies list. Still have to see: “The Hobbit 2”, “Grudge Match” and “American Hustle”. I’ll try to see all 3 of those movies after the Holiday and then I’ll write up the list.

Kev

music

Congrats to Kiss, Nirvana, Peter Gabriel and other Hall of Fame inductees for 2014!!!

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If Kurt was still alive, I’m sure he would have been honored to be inducted along with Kiss and Peter Gabriel. Too bad he’s not around to see this. I’m sure Dave, Krist, and Pat will accept this honor on his behalf. Will the surviving members of Nirvana perform? I’m sure they will.

Love Kiss or hate them, they deserve this honor too. Kiss has been ignored from the Hall of Fame for years and they finally made it in. I love Kiss too but only their earlier stuff. I’m not into Kiss’s new music too much but I love all of their classic songs, though. Will Ace Frehley be there to reunite with them? I’m sure this induction will be for all members of Kiss over the years.

I love Peter Gabriel’s music as “Us” and “So” are two of my favorite albums of all time. His induction is worthy for sure.

Congrats also go out to Cat Stevens, Linda Ronstadt, and Hall & Oates. Another famous backing band gets the induction and that’s the E Street Band, Springsteen’s backing band. So this means Bruce’s wife Patty and Little Steven Van Zandt are now Hall of Famers. The same goes for Max Weinberg and Clarence Clemons.

The next Hall of Fame show will be interesting for sure.

I’m more interested on who’s going to induct, Nirvana. Butch Vig, Frances Bean, the guys from the Meat Puppets? Anyone of them, a possibility.

See the full inductee list, here.

Kev

music, TV

Those annoying Michael Bolton – Honda commercials… why I think they’re hyping them to death…

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What is it with the over-hype of those annoying Michael Bolton — Honda car commercials? You’ve probably seen the commercials on TV, heard them on the radio, etc. Those commercials are everywhere. Michael Bolton is a pop/light sounds singer and he’s been around for years but he has been out of the mainstream for a long while. You’re asking yourselves… why is Honda over-hyping Michael Bolton so much and shoving him in our faces?

I agree these commercials are so fucking annoying. I’m no fan of his music myself but after a little research and checking his facebook page, I see he has a new album out. An album titled, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” which is a tribute to Hitsville U.S.A. Motown museum. So Michael made an album in tribute to the museum and this album is helping to celebrate MoTown music.

Check his facebook, here.

I’m sure Michael’s facebook has gotten a lot more fans since Honda started hyping those annoying commercials. That’s all they’re doing. Just a little ploy to help promote Michael’s latest record and Honda agreed to help him. I haven’t heard much of Michael Bolton’s music over the years ’cause that kind of music is NOT my cup of tea and I can’t stand his singing voice.

After the Holidays are over with, I have a feeling that the Michael Bolton hype won’t be over any time soon. Honda will keep working with him after the Holidays. Just wait until the Superbowl comes up!!!

Kev

Local music, music

About music being a free market…

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I’m absolutely not alone that music should be a free market.

Remember, Amanda Palmer from the Dresden Dolls? She totally believes in it… see her mission statement about it, here. She’s also willing to put on free concerts as well. I totally agree with her that in order for artists to survive and create, people need to step up and support them.

There are also a few other local acts in the Albany area who agree with free music… Joe Nacco just did that with his latest album, “Chaos”. Released a bunch of copies of his album, “Chaos” and just gave ’em out to everybody for free. The Lucky Jukebox Brigade also is willing to give out their music for free.

If you look around I’m sure you can find other bands/artists willing to give out their music for absolutely nothing.

I’ve done that for years. Just make demo CD’s… pass ’em out to everybody and post my music online. I have no problem with that stuff.

Why music should be free? Like Amanda said it helps artists survive and create. It helps get your music out to even more people quicker and faster. Will help get you more respect.

It’s not like you’re signed under some strict contract so get the hell over yourselves. As an unsigned musician, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with your music. “Local/unsigned” musicians shouldn’t have to sell music to people. There should be no reason to.

Giving out your music is just a better way to get heard… period, end of story. That’s why I do it. I don’t need to make money off of my art. I’m proud of my songs and don’t feel the need to get rich off of them.

Someday music will become a free market once people gets tired of record labels and Itunes. Nobody buying CD’s anymore is a good sign of that coming. Be honest. Do people really buy your CD’s??? No. Even though you make claims that people do buy your albums, you know it’s a lie to make yourself look good. Out of all the copies you made of your album, I’m pretty sure only very few people bought it. This is another reason why it’s a good idea to give out your music ’cause no one is buying them.

There are bands and artists out there who believe in a free music market but not too many. I’ve had people offer me money so they can buy my demos in the past before but I refuse to take their money ’cause that’s not what I do this for.

I don’t care about money when making music. Leave your ego at the door and try it sometime. Releasing a new album or playing a show? Try giving out your album for free and try playing free shows. You’ll be surprised of the good response that comes out of those.

There’s no reason for bands & artists to be all money hungry. They feel they deserve to be paid ’cause of the hard work they do with the music and success they have and they want something back from it. It’s all ego and greed. You don’t need to make money playing music. It’s a choice whether you want to or not.

Don’t slam musicians who believe in a free market ’cause you’re no better than they are. It’s amazing how musicians get all defensive when other musicians say music should be free. It’s a sign that they are jealous of that ’cause the musician who believes in free music gets more attention.

Believing in free music is a good thing. I don’t see how it’s bad.

Kev

Local music, music

Are you a struggling musician? You should learn from Bob Dylan’s career!!!

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I went out Christmas shopping today and at Barnes & Noble… I was looking at the new Caffe Lena book. A history book about the legendary venue in Saratoga Springs. The American rock/folk icon, Bob Dylan played there before his fame…. back when he was unsigned. In Dylan’s earlier years, he was a struggling musician like the rest of us. I’ve read the Bob Dylan section in the book ’cause I wanted to know more about his story performing at Caffe Lena.

In his past, Bob was trying to get gigs all over the Upstate, New York area but nobody would book him at all. He tried to get a gig at Caffe Lena back when Lena Spencer was owner but even she didn’t want him at first. Probably because everybody thought Bob Dylan sucked back then and people had a hard time trying to take his music seriously. Another folk musician by the name of Dave Van Ronk heard that Dylan was trying to get a gig there and Dave happened to be a fan. Dave Van Ronk begged Lena to book Dylan at the venue and she did. After Dylan performed there, she ended up loving him. Lena booked Dylan more and they even became friends back in the day. There are a few photos of Bob Dylan and Lena Spencer hanging out at the venue.

It’s a really special book but it costs $50.00. I would buy it sometime down the road… not right now.

Back to Bob Dylan, he struggled like most of us. It wasn’t easy for Dylan to become big and successful. Look at him now. He’s an American icon and legend!

You see, if you’re a struggling musician and not many people like your music — keep going with the music. You’ll never know where you’ll end up. Just because people ignore your music doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a failure. Don’t give up and keep trying. Dylan never gave it up and he’s STILL doing his thing to this day. To those out there who think is a failure at music… don’t feel that way about yourself. Never.

All famous musicians and bands start off struggling at first. Sometimes it takes years to get big. Getting big and successful certainly doesn’t happen over night.

Just keep writing the songs and getting them out there before you know it… everyone will like your music and support you. You can never tell whether or not people like your music. Just put it out there and see what happens.

I thought reading about Bob Dylan at Caffe Lena was a pretty interesting read. He really fought hard to get where he is now. If he can do it… so can anybody! Even though I’m not that much of a Bob Dylan fan, he just got me a little more respect after reading that little piece. Bob’s past being a struggling artist kind of reminds me of myself.

Kev

music

Long lost Johnny Cash album that was recorded during the 80’s to be released…

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Johnny Cash’s son, John Carter was digging into Johnny’s private archive of music over the years and he found a long-lost album that Johnny recorded during the 80’s that was never released. Johnny was gonna release the album but he was dropped by Columbia Records in 1986. The name of the album is called, “Out Among The Stars”, and it will have 12 tracks featuring June Carter and Waylon Jennings as duets for a few songs. The album will be released in the Spring of 2014.

Read the full story, here.

As a major Johnny Cash fanatic, I’m definitely looking forward to this one! I remember Johnny once said he never threw away music if he didn’t like his own songs… he just stored them away and the proof is in the article.

Speaking of Johnny Cash, I plan on covering more of his songs for youtube as well.

Kev

music

See this Metallica video when they played their Antarctica show here…

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What was Metallica’s Antarctica show like? Well this little video gives you a little preview. Shows you what the performance was like when you’re listening with or without headphones. Without headphones all you hear is just Lars drums and the fans cheering but with headphones on… you hear the whole band with the fans in the background. Pretty damn cool.

Love Metallica or hate ’em, you can’t deny this is unique and something different. Metallica did make history so congrats to them.

Could that area where they played at become a music venue for bands/artists? I wouldn’t be surprised. After the success of this show, I’m sure other bands and artists will want to follow so expect more to perform there.

Kev

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nNx-zgqOfk#t=18

music

Macaulay Culkin forms Velvet Underground tribute band but…

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Remember Macaulay Culkin that Home Alone kid? Apparently, he happens to be a huge Lou Reed fan himself. He just formed a Velvet Underground tribute band but re-wrote all the lyrics for them to be about pizza. The band’s name is The Pizza Underground so obviously this is a parody. The Pizza Underground parodied songs by the Velvet Underground and Lou’s solo material.

Listen to the demo of all the songs, here. Sounds pretty good actually!

If Lou was still alive, I’m sure he would have loved this and got a pretty good laugh out of it!

Kev

music

Metallica played their unique concert in Antarctica today and here’s how it went…

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Not too long ago, Metallica announced a surprising concert in Antarctica which would be held today on Dec. 8th. They just played their concert there. They played inside a dome out on the helipad of Carlini Station. The band played with headphones on and they couldn’t play with amplifiers. Why? It’s because of Antarctica, I would assume. I would think it would be hard to play loud music at an area like that because of the sound. Maybe another reason for no amplifiers is because of the nature part of Antartica… they don’t wanna distract the nature part of it like the animals and stuff there. They used solar power for electricity.

The band played a short set for a small amount of fans. They did a 10 song setlist of their greatest hits. Look like they did just their classic hits.

See, here for the photo gallery and setlist.

The band will probably release this show on DVD/BluRay ’cause I’ve seen guys with cameras in the photos. Looking forward to seeing how this show is going to sound.

This sounds like a cool show and I would have loved to been there to see it. As you can see, the Dome they’re playing in is covered with something to help keep out the wind and cold some.

btw, I don’t wanna see any smartass Kate Upton comments as they will get deleted anyway but these Metallica photos is pretty much proof that she couldn’t have stood half naked in Antarctica like this. If you look at the people inside the Dome… not a lot of people are wearing coats. People who are outside of the Dome are all bundled up so it must be pretty warm and cozy in that Dome. So yeah, I still stand by it that the Kate Upton photoshoot was fake.

Kev