Update

Hey NOW THIS ROCKS! fans...

Sorry the site has been static for so long. I hope to get back to reviewing new music one day in the future, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out my new team project, "Class of '80s Something"! At this new blog, we stroll down memory lane and uncover hidden gems that you may have missed during the 80s era - music, film, TV, pop culture - as long as it is from the 80s era!

Check it out - Class of '80s Something

Review: Lisa Loeb "No Fairy Tale"

Lisa Loeb, who will always hold the record for the first unsigned artist who achieved a #1 smash hit (1994's unforgettable "Stay (I Missed You))", returns after 8 years with a brand new studio effort. "No Fairy Tale" finds Loeb treading on familiar songwriting ground, but sonically the album is unlike any she has done to date. Consequently, "No Fairy Tale" is going to take many by surprise - this is not 90s coffeehouse Loeb, but a pop rocking singer/songwriter full of energy and urgency.

The new sound is likely attributable to excellent co-production by Chad Gilbert of punk band New Found Glory. There are a dozen brilliant new tracks - not a dud in the bunch, including a couple selections with Tegan and Sara as collaborating writers. The record blasts out of the speakers with the feisty title cut before launching into another catchy rocker, "The 90's". While written from a relationship perspective, this song underscores that those days are gone and Loeb is making music for the here and now. Witty lyrics, sharp melodic hooks, and ear-pleasing harmonies abound. Favorite tracks include "Sick, Sick, Sick" and the outstanding "Matches". There are also some 90s-era songs to delight old school fans - check out "Ami, I'm Sorry" or "The Worst". The Spotify version also has some wonderful acoustic versions of key tracks.

Neil Nathan Inc. Releases Obama Claymation Drag Race Video

In honor of Obama's Second Term, Neil Nathan Inc. releases the Jumpstart Music Video off their acclaimed Power 2 The People Concept LP, Sweep The Nation. And like any 21st Century profit minded corporation in Earth's Global Village, they outsourced production to the tiniest of Asian Tigers, The Philippines.

In it, The Obama Twins, Hope and Change, drag race each other in an all out battle to see who will Win The Future. But obstacles abound in the form of Fearless President Putin, Iranian President Ahmadenijad & His Nuclear Bomb, Angela Merkel & The Euro-Mobile, as well as The Republican Elephant & their radical counterparts, The Tea Party. But do not fret, for help is on the way from Israeli President Netanyahu, Chinese Leader Xi Jinping & His Gang of Dragons, and ultimately America's Man of Steel, Super Bill Clinton.

Neil says the tune was influenced by Cheap Trick, Guided By Voices, and Iggy Pop, and is giving it away for FREE @ http://t.opsp.in/o0HPg .

Review: Golden Bloom “No Day Like Today” [EP]

Indie rock

Shawn Fogel operated under the Golden Bloom moniker to release his first two records, the full-length “Fan The Flames” in 2009 (review here) and the EP “March To The Drums” in 2011. A solo act in the beginning, Golden Bloom has now adopted several multi-instrumentalists to become a full-fledged band. Enticed by the energy of the group, Fogel soon realized he wanted to apply the “live band vibe” to the writing and recording of his new EP, “No Day Like Today”.

The five songs on this EP carry on the fine tradition that Fogel started as a solo act, so you are getting high quality musicianship, well-crafted melodies, and sharp lyrics that “explore thorny emotions with keen insight and understanding”. The introductory tune, “Flying Mountain”, is classic Golden Bloom, shimmering with sparking guitar and a crisp rhythm. “Deliver It For Me” may very well be one of the most soothing songs of 2013, perfectly honed to match the easygoing vocals of Fogel. “Shadow Of A Man” is another highlight, with its propelling shuffle beat and charming style giving you the urge to move.

Like hot cocoa on a chilly day, Golden Bloom warms the heart, but their music also feeds the brain. Golden Bloom will be touring to support the new EP through 2013 – be sure to catch them out on the road!

Golden Bloom – Official site.

Review: Alex Vans “DJ Booth”

Indie rock

D.C.-based artist Alex Vans began his musical career performing as an acoustic singer/songwriter and has two critically acclaimed EPs under his belt already. Inspired by the guitar-driven pop and socially conscious lyrics of Bob Mould, “DJ Booth” takes things in a markedly different direction. Armed with a full backing band, the tunes gracing this full-length record resonate with energy. Regarding the themes explored by Vans on this release, he comments that “a lot of the content reflects my struggle to understand the irrational and fickle nature of pop-culture”.

Vans seems to go out of his way to make each song sound different than the one before, so the record can sound a little schizophrenic listened to as a whole. Adventurous music fans will enjoy this aspect of “DJ Booth”, but I contend that there is something here to appeal to fans of all musical genres. The first single “Chase The Night’ is a pulsating rock tune that makes your feet want to move, no matter how bad a dancer you may be. But don’t be misled – this style is not what every track sounds like. “Wait” is another highlight that leans much further toward the pop end of the spectrum, with a bouncy rhythm complete with bubble gum harmonies. The opener, “Good Enough”, combines gritty and fuzzy guitars with a smooth indie pop beat. “Saints” goes back to his acoustic roots but injects a healthy dose of rockabilly. Similarly, the rocking “Someone” is a delicious combination of roadhouse and indie rock.

“DJ Booth” came out January 8, 2013.

Alex Vans – Official site.

Melodic rock CD of the week: Vince Neil

By Stephen Kasenda

VINCE NEIL “Tattoos & Tequila” (2010)

"Tattoos and Tequila" is the third solo release from Motley Crue's singer, Vince Neil, and this time, he is backed by Slaughter's guitarist, Jeff Blando and bassist Dana Strum, while Zoltan Chaney sits on the drum stool. This is his first solo album in 15 years after the disappointing second release of "Carved In Stone". At first, this didn’t interest me as he only has two original songs on this release while the rest are only covers. But after only a single spin, this is unexpectedly enjoyable, seeing how he revamped many underrated old songs to a party in the style of Motley Crue's peak era.

The first single and title track is a decent effort but maybe his weakest one here. The second single, "Another Bad Day", which was written by Nikki Sixx and Tracii Guns is a fantastic mid-tempo commercial hard rock song, and the greatest song on the album. This song should have been his first single, in my opinion. My best picks here are Sweet's "AC/DC", Sex Pistols' "No Feelings", The Hollies' "Long Cool Woman", CCR's "Who Will Stop The Rain", Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas", and ZZ Top's "Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers". The rest are also good and no sign of weak fillers here.

"Tattoos And Tequilas" is a big surprise for me, the production is also excellent, this is just simply brilliant, and much better than Motley Crue's comeback album, "Saints of Los Angeles", which is a very average release. If you like Vince Neil's "Exposed" or Motley Crue's heyday era, this album is pretty much a combination of those two with an updated sound. Fantastic!

Read more of Stephen’s features at MetalMusicArchives.

Playlist: Best songs of 2012

We put together a playlist that hightlights some of the best stuff we heard in 2012. Check it out!

Best of 2012

It’s that time of year again my fellow melodic pop and rock fans! This is not a comprehensive “best of” by any means, but a list of some of the releases I heard this year that truly stand out in my memory. Being human with only 24 hours in the day, I obviously can’t listen to everything, so if I missed something here post it and let us know. Here’s to another great year ahead in finding the best music in 2013…we’ll be back in January with new reviews!

To read our review for some of these artists, check out the alphabetized links on the right panel. The lists below are in no particular order.

Powerpop
Well Wishers
Chris Richards and the Subtractions
Didn’t Planet
The dB’s

Rock
Jim Ivins Band
Candlebox
Beta Wolf
Neil Nathan

Modern Hard Rock
Halestorm
Shinedown
Gun
October Rage

Pop Rock
Fairchilds
Keane
Rick Springfield

Melodic rock/AOR
Sunstorm
Jack Blades
Jeff Scott Soto
Wigelius
Pride of Lions
Jimi Jamison

Singer/Songwriter
Jeff Litman
Cliff Hillis
Fernando Perdomo

Free Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Television

HEAVY METAL TELEVISION HITS WITH BANG

Launched a mere three weeks ago Heavy Metal Television is the talk of the internet. Since the launch, the station has garnered over 30,000 unique visitors with praise such as, "Thanks for this channel from the bottom of my heavy metal heart!", "You have become the soundtrack to my house" and "Heavy Metal Television is my new addiction" being plastered on the station's official Facebook page.

Heavy Metal Television beat Apple, Microsoft and Google in a race to start the first 24 hour web television network on Earth and people are talking. "We're getting eMails from people who are basically marveling at how someone in Los Angeles is watching the same exact thing at the same moment at someone in Stockholm," says a station spokesperson. "Not 3 hours apart, not 8 hours apart and not on demand but at the exact same moment forever. That speaks volumes. The music video is reborn. 24 hour music videos on the world's only true music video channel has gone viral! "

Heavy Metal Television has no log ins, no passwords, minimal commercials, zero pop up ads and it's forever free. Go see for yourself here.

Review: Beta Wolf "Slaybell Sessions" and "Live In Danbury"

Modern rock

A fine way to close out the year, modern rockers Beta Wolf have released two new EPs: "Live in Danbury", containing 5 tracks that capture the band live, and the three-song "The Slaybell Sessions", to brighten your holiday season.

This is a quick release for the band in response to the success of their new video for “Domino,” which features footage from their Danbury, Connecticut, show opening up for Daughtry (see it here). Hearing the band live gives me a whole new appreciation for their energy and chemistry together - excellent.

To help put listeners into the holiday spirit, "The Slaybell Sessions" is a collection of upbeat, acoustic-based interpretations of Christmas classics "Happy Xmas (War is Over)", "Jingle Bell Rock," and "White Christmas."

These EPs arrive hot on the heels of their acclaimed Just Before Morning debut EP (reviewed here).

Beta Wolf - Official site.