Year of Comebacks

For me this was a year of musical comebacks.  Four bands in particular came out with albums that hadn't come out with new music in years.

Blink 182- Neighborhoods
I didn't try to have any expectations for this because it's been seven years for a new album by Blink.  But this was a pleasant surprise. There are elements of all the past efforts on this album.  I enjoyed most of the songs on here, and think it's a better album than people want to give it credit it for.

Face to Face- Laugh Now, Laugh Later
Nothing out of the ordinary for the guys of Face to Face. Straight up punk rock is blasting through the songs on this album.  It's almost like a new greatest hits where the band has new songs that sound like their old sound.

Taking Back Sunday- Taking Back Sunday
Going back to the original lineup that probably should have been playing all along, Taking Back Sunday presented a grown up record and one that you can just tell they're proud of.  It was a great effort by the band, and I saw them live in July, and it was awesome.  You can feel the renewed spirit, and I hope that they can continue to go out and make wonderful music.

Get Up Kids- These Are the Rules
This was definitely a surprising record.  Very different from the sound of "Something to Write Home About" but I figured there would never be an effort like that.  This one has a bit of something different on each song, and overall it's a weird collection.  Not sure what to expect if this band continues to play out, but I can always throw on the old stuff to enjoy them.

Album I've Been Digging 4: "Going Out In Style" presented by Dropkick Murphys

I almost read too much into this idea that the Murphys were writing an album going out in style as I thought it might be their swan song. But now I'm reading that the Murphys are working on yet another album less than a year than their latest effort came out.  

"Going Out in Style" to me is a return to the Murphys sound.  You have the sing along sound of the Murphys.  Loud guitars blaring, drums beating away, and that rich celtic punk rock sound going.  Also mandolins, tin whistles, accordions and all that fun stuff is found on here.  The songs are just full of character and tell each their own story. The title track is very special telling about how you want to go out at the end of your life.  Yes it might be not fun to think about it, but the way the song presents it it is a huge party.  You get everyone you've ever met, and think about all the good times you've had.  Such a way to live your life.  Don't dwell on the past, don't plan out the future, but live in the now.

Album I've Been Digging 3 "Suburbia: I've Given You All and Now I'm Nothing" by the Wonder Years

The Wonder Years really came into their own with this fantastic album, Suburbia: I've Given You All and Now I'm Nothing.  Using the poem, America, by Allen Ginsberg as their inspiration, the Wonder Years set off to write this album all about their experiences from the past year.  It's a cohesive story of life on the road, experiences with the band, and the success of a first album.  The songs are very straight forward and hit home the point of what being in a band can be all about.  I really enjoy the first song off the album, Came Out Swinging.  I wanted to include this band with my review of the Swellers as these are two bands on my music radar.  They can be some fresh air in the punk rock scene and music scene overall.  It's great to have a band making heart felt music that everyone can connect.  

Album I've Been Digging- "Wasting Light" by Foo Fighters

I thought instead of the usual list format of what I've enjoyed this year, I'll present an album or two each day this week.  

Today I want to present Foo Fighters "Wasting Light", an album that brought the Foo back in the spotlight.  While podcasting, I talked about how Foo Fighters did a bunch of stuff early in the year.  They had a documentary out, which I reviewed right here Back and Forth: Foo Fighters DVD, put out a great album Foo Fighters Wasting Light Party, and generally rocked faces off whether it was at a stadium or a garage.  It was truly the year of the Foo.  They seemed to be everywhere in the months of March and April. It was great to see that they were back like this, and can seemingly do no wrong.

For me this album was fantastic. I thought each day brought something different to the table, and it was really a return to sound.  One of the standout tracks was "Back and Forth."  I loved the punk feel of its chorus.  "Rope" and "Bridge Burning" really got this album off to a rocking start.  But then you had a bit of a different feel with a song like "These Days."  It ended off with a nice typical Foo Fighters track in "Walk."  Definitely worth the listens I gave it this year.  

Jose Feliciano - Feliz Navidad

Can not believe I haven't posted this song. Gotta love a good Mexican Christmas song!

Frank Sinatra - Mistletoe and Holly

Here's a more traditional song for you. I always think of this song around Thanksgiving time when visiting my grandma's house. We would go there for a dinner in the afternoon, and would play the Christmas Sinatra album. I can still hear some of the cracks in the record. And everyone knows you don't listen to Christmas music till Thanksgiving, which was the tradition for my family.

Making Christmas- Rise Against

The great debate, is Nightmare Before Christmas a Christmas movie or Halloween movie? I guess it's pretty much down the middle as it involves both holidays, but hey this is a Christmas song, so we'll go with it being a Christmas movie for now. Enjoy this gem by Rise Against off the Nightmare Revisited soundtrack, which was most of the songs redone.

Shameless Plug 42- And the Award Goes To!

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In this episode, I give out my year end awards. It's not like the typical award show and you'll sit for hours just waiting on the big awards. I give out the big boys right away and don't mess around with anything else.  Song of the year, Album of the Year, Live Show of the Year, and Band of the Year are presented, which is truly all you need.





News to Read

New MXPX Album News

Early Early Green Day Radio Set Being Released

Billie Joe Armstrong and Family Form Band

Classic Tony Hawk Games Being Released without Iconic Music

Music to Hear

Say Anything "Burn a Miracle"

Video to Watch

Making Christmas by Rise Against

Bad Religion - Silent Night

Continuing the more rocking versions of Christmas songs, this one comes to you via live Bad Religion. It is the not so silent Silent Night.

O Holy Night- Weezer

I didn't even realize Weezer had covered this song. It's another rocking tune. You know with my Christmas series I've been presenting the different side of Christmas tunes, and this fits the bill.

The Vandals - Oi to the world

Can't believe I forgot this fantastic punk tune. If God Came Down on Christmas Day, I know what exactly he would say!

You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch

Can't believe I haven't got around to posting this fantastic Christmas song. I love the cartoon so much more than the Jim Carey movie, but that's a whole other story. This is a fun song no matter what. And the Grinch is such a heel character, but ends up becoming a face. Funny how that works!

Fairytale of New York by the pogues lyrics

A nice different Christmas tune for you to sing along with thanks to the lyrics video.

Million Dollar Quartet

I went out to see this musical last night, but it might as well been a concert with some talking in between.  I never knew the whole story behind this picture, but one night Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley were all at Sun Records at the same time.  What happened was Carl Perkins was set to record on December 4, 1956, and Elvis Presley stopped in for a casual visit.  Jerry Lee Lewis was brought in to fatten the sound of Carl Perkins with his fantastic piano playing.  Johnny Cash made a pop in visit as well, so all four men decided to jam a little and it happened to get recorded to tape.  Talk about the meeting of the minds.  Four of music's biggest stars in once place at one time.  It was told very well with the addition of some plot where Sam Phillips, head of Sun Records, was trying to get Johnny Cash to resign with him for three more years.  Cash actually ended up going to Columbia Records and couldn't resign.  Perkins would join Cash on Columbia as well. The best part of this musical was that all the guys played the songs and played the instruments.  It was like you could step back into time and really see these guys playing together.  That was a rather enjoyable part about it. I'm not a huge fan of the music, but the idea that this night really happened excites me.  It makes me think about how Pet Sounds was created by the Beach Boys, which John Lennon and Paul McCartney were invited to a listening party for.  After they heard that, they went to make Sgt. Peppers.  It's funny how music will work like that. You always want to up the competition.  You want to create something more special than everyone else.  This night was something special and there was even the rough recording of the Million Dollar Quarter playing at the end.  

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones- This Time of the Year

Another non traditional tune for the listening pleasure. I love me some Bosstones, and this is a rocking song. This even has the lyrics, so you can sing along!

Baby It's Cold Outside - Elf Soundtrack - Zooey Deschanel & Leon Redbone

Can't believe I haven't posted this song yet. Zooey Deschanel is one of my guilty listening pleasures. She and Him are a great little band that I've listened to a few times. But this is a fantastic cover.

Shameless Plug 41- End of the Year Best Of 2011 Album Lists

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Now is the time that everyone under the sun releases their own version of what albums were best this year, and I thought I'd talk about a couple of these lists.  I will be presenting my own list at the end of this month leading you up to the new year, so how do you like that?

Alt Press Essential Albums of 2011

I relate more to these albums

Spin Magazine's Top 50 Albums

I realized I was out of touch with music when I didn't recognize some of the bands

News to read
Promise Ring thinking about shows
NBC to screen the Roots intro songs
Officially Named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Music to hear
The Boss with Gaslight Anthem
John K Samson "When I Write My Master's Thesis"

Video to watch
Creepy video for "Immigrant Song" by Karen O and Trent Reznor

The Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)

Another non-traditional Christmas song. If it weren't for the Ramones, I wouldn't have played in a band.

The Ronettes - Sleigh Ride

Let's get some doo wop Christmas tune going. Feel free to dance around in your room this bouncy ditty.

They've Shot Flanigan "the Outlaw"

I wanted to give these local fellows some love in my blog.  They just released a very intense and different type of cd.  One that makes you step back into the old west and feel like you're traveling on a lonesome road.  It's very pleasing to the ears and makes you really sit back and take in all that is happening.  This feels like a piece of art work you just want to hang up in the house.

Muppet Show - We Need Little Christmas

How can this NOT bring a smile to your face and get you in the Christmas mode? The Muppets are just great!

Won't Be Home For Christmas- Blink 182

How about a punk rock Christmas song? This is a bouncy tune from Blink 182. You can only hear the traditional stuff so many times. Here's something different for you!

All I Want For Christmas Is You :: Rock Cover :: Royal Pirates

Oh yea a rockin' version of this song. I'm sure you will hear the Mariah Carey version a thousand times, so let's do something different. I would cover this song at this pace.

Last Christmas- Wham!

Can you go one Christmas season without hearing this song? Makes you want to get out and grab the one you love. And not think about the loves you've lost. Especially those really bad relationships, the ones where you give your heart, but the very next day they throw it away. So this Christmas, make sure you give to someone special special.

Jimmy Cliff- Sacred Fire EP

Thought I'd give this short EP a listen as it intrigued me by the fact that Tim Armstrong of Rancid fame was a producer on this album.  Jimmy Cliff is highly regarded as a big influence in the reggae world, a world that I don't have my listening experience in.  In my own mind, I think that musical genre never seemed to hit big with people. I know Bob Marley was huge, but did he have much musical influence on people or was it more about what statements he was making? Of course that's a whole other discussion one where you talk about what's more important the music or the statement that your music is making. 

But I'm rambling and let's talk about this album.  It is a short cover filled EP that just hits you with that fun bouncy beat of ska.  I am really digging this cover of Ruby Soho, made famous by Rancid, but here it's got a really light hearted feel to it. I almost picture walking around the beach with your friends and this song is playing in the background.  The sun would be shining and waves are crashing on the sand.  Quite the departure for a song to listen to in this month of December.  Guns of Brixton is a Clash cover, and no offense to Mr. Cliff, but you can't outdo the original.  That song is just so powerful in what it presents.  But it's a nice touch to add some reggae flavor to it.  There's an original song, Ship is Sailing, yet another feeling of sitting on the beach and watching those waves. Makes you feel like there's not a care in the world, and the sun is beating down on you making you feel all warm.  The final song choice is a Bob Dylan cover, A Hard Rain's a Gonna Fall.  Not being a fan of Bob Dylan, I could care less about this cover, but I'm sure he does a great job of covering it.  

Christmas Time is Here Song

Can't go a Christmas season without hearing this song. And of course you have to sign in your best falsetto voice.

Shameless Plug 40- 12 Disappointing Facts about Pop Music

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12 Extremely Disappointing Facts about Popular Music

This week I want to discuss this link that was passed around Facebook.    Wait till you see some of these!

News to Read
More Rancid New Album Talk
Fat Mike talks Occupy and 7 inches
Descendents Watch
Silverstein Short Short Short Songs
Exclusive Brendan Kelly New Band Wandering Birds


Music to Hear
Menzingers "The Obituaries"
Motion City Soundtrack "Here Comes the Sun"
Matt Pryor "Where Do We Go From Here"


Video to Watch


NOFX Live 

Santa Claus is Coming To Town- Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Who doesn't love the idea of Bruce singing Santa Claus is Comin' to Town? This is quite the rocking version too.

Christmas Is All Around

I'll have to admit I enjoy the movie Love Actually. There go some man points. I even own the movie! But hey it's a good Christmas-like movie interweaving all these different love stories, and this song is featured in there.

Wonderful Christmas Time- Paul McCartney

Another favorite Christmas song of mine. I've always enjoyed Paul McCartney and his song writing. This is a great example of his simplicity toward a song. There's not much happening here, but it's a fun song and you truly get the meaning of it.

It's the Most Wonderful time of the Year- Johnny Mathis

Another favorite Christmas song, featuring Johnny Mathis. He has a fantastic Christmas album that you should check out. Side note about this song with my morbid mind, but I've always thought some slasher movie should use this song in a killing scene. Maybe it's been done before, and that's why I thought of it. But if you're a film maker interested in killing scenes, use this song. Make a slasher Christmas movie! There you go and you're welcome.

Carol of the Bells

I used to love watching the California Raisins Claymation Christmas, and this was always my favorite part. Not much else to say about this one, other than it's just fun!

Peace on Earth/ Little Drummer Boy- David Bowie and Bing Crosby

This has always been an interesting mix to me. I think this came after the experimental phase of Bowie's career, where he was trying to be normal. I would put the whole Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett duet to this. The two voices really worked well together in this Christmas song. And you could tell they weren't too sure what to make of this happening. But fun stuff!

Do They Know It's Christmas (Feed the World)- Band Aid

What better way to start off the Christmas season with this song? You know the best part about this music video is naming the singers featured. A better game would be just to listen to the song, and trying to name the artists singing at different points. Let's not even talk about the new edition that was put together a couple of years ago. I couldn't name half the people in that one. If you want to read up on all the fun facts about this recording, check out this link Some good stuff in there about the recording, such as possible drug use during the recording, and the fact that Boy George didn't care for George Michael being a part of this effort. Good to see an effort to make music for a cause can bring about trouble.

Shameless Plug 39- Guitar Guitar Guitar

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This guy can shred!!

Rolling Stone has given up their list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, and since I'm a guitar player, I wanted to talk about it.  I agree with the top choices, and also think the guitar has lost it's luster in this modern era of music.  It's hard to pick out great guitar players of the past decades and possibly earlier.  There aren't the blazing guitar solos that classic rock is all about, or else I'm just missing them.  Please advise on who you think is a great guitar player of the past decade.  

News to Read
Travis Barker invited to meet with LAPD

Borrowing Black Flag's Logo?

The Riot Before break up

Fugazi to release live shows online

The Queers and the Ataris to play Melody Inn

Fat Mike joins the occupy cause

Weakerthans frontman solo album

Menzingers talk new album

Music to Hear






Video to Watch
Hot Water Music "Jack of All Trades" Live at Fest 10

"Jack of All Trades" by Hot Water Music | HN Live from Hear Nebraska on Vimeo.