Album Review: "Crazy World" by Boys Like Girls

After so much anticipation, including a year-long hiatus, a change in lineup, and rumors or all sorts, I was looking forward to Crazy World. Then the EP came out and I wasn't impressed by that. I started to get worried. I wanted good things from a band that took so much time off, that had really started to define where my music tastes lie, and that indirectly saw to it that I made some of the best friends of my life and had some of the best experiences of my life. And when I saw them live I got some of that faith back. They were great to meet after, super excited like I expected them to be and maybe I might learn to like the new music. Only now I've heard the whole album and I have to say...it's not very good. As before, "The First Time" has that opening synth line that's so jarring...

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Young Alive Release new EP "American Gentleman"

My favorite dudes in Young Alive (formerly Anchors), dropped their new EP, American Gentleman, today. Go get your hands on a copy on their bandcamp page today. It's epic, and totally worth it. I've heard a few of the tunes before (actually all but 1) and everything is fantastic. These guys have a great hold on alternative rock, though I do have to admit the re-done version (almost acoustic) of "The Weight of a Hummingbird" is my favorite. It's beautiful and intoxicating. I've said it before, but it's haunting. And I love that about it. The rest of the tracks don't fail though. "Kingdom Come" starts off strong and keeps that energy throughout the track, same with the title track "American Gentleman". I believe I'm echoing myself again, but I don't mind repeating it: Young Alive is bringing...

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Music for Monday: Stages and Stereos

This Monday hurts, but I'm blaming that one on age, starting to become nocturnal and possibly sleeping on the couch after a show on Saturday night. That said? It was one of the best shows I've been to in a bit. There'll be more to come on it later (and everything else I've been up to concert wise), but I wanted to get one thing out there, straight away, and that thing being, the next big thing you'll be listening to. If you've got plans to see the Go Radio Go To Hell tour that's coming through your town do it. Not only are Go Radio perfect, Paradise Fears a ton of fun, but the first opener is the pure gold sounds of Stages and Stereos. And it is pure gold. The group is fronted by Daniel Lancaster, who's name, yes, does sound familiar as he's the younger sibling of Go Radio front...

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Locally Grown: The Silver Comet

While it seems most of the small bands I love are out of New England, I'm trying to get better about that. Which means looking for local artists here in Atlanta. It's not exactly easy because I don't even have one band I'm that interested in (which usually leads to finding a million other small bands in the same region), but I'm looking! And just by nothing but pure luck I came across this one. Meet The Silver Comet. I know, it's kind of surprising, but that's what I like about them. Take a listen. There's a rock line under each song that has you bobbing your head and tapping your feet, but it's the vocals that hooked me. They're just that good. I can't even begin to guess what they're like live. I'm actually kind of pissed I didn't know about these guys prior to now. I might have been...

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Music For Monday: Bonaventure

My good friend Kat came home from seeing Cartel the other night and when we met up to debrief about concerts she handed me a CD to check out. "You'll love them." Oh man she was so right. Meet Bonaventure, you're new favorite band. I went through one listen and I adore them. It was almost easy to be honest. Their music is beautiful, great lyrics combined with talent, which is always a killer combination. In five haunting songs they had me in their grasp (actually it was more like two songs, but you get the idea). Don't believe me? Check out "I Dare You" off their Come Hell or High Water EP. See what I mean? And I will honestly tell you, that's not my favorite song on the EP. This is the music for those of us growing up on our own terms, not someone else's. Add it to the playlist of...

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Q&A: Jocelyn

As I mentioned before I had a chance to meet the guys from Jocelyn, and score this great little Q & A with Alex from Jocelyn. Such a charmer. Enjoy! Q: Every band has a story, how they went from playing in garages, marching bands, and just trying to impress girls, to being what they are now. What's yours? Alex: We all had bands through college and, since we've recently graduated, this is our final big push at music. We're one of the only bands you'll find that all has their 4 year degree and we're very proud of that, but we wanted to give music one concerted effort before "growing up" if you will. Q: What are your biggest inspirations music-wise? Alex: Anberlin and Mayday Parade are extremely influential bands on us all.  Q:...

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Concert: Boys Like Girls, All American Rejects and The Ready Set

It finally happened. Boys Like Girls finally hit the road again, and I was finally agreeing to going, making a plan and getting tickets and all that. I went with my good friend Casey and we figured, what they hey, let's splurge for Meet and Greet passes with Boys Like Girls because really...Why not? (Don't actually answer that.) I was pretty geared up and so was Case, so we wound up getting as close to the front as possible, lined up on Paul's side of the stage, right in front of the microphone set up for The Ready Set. I'm not sure I'd ever heard a song by The Ready Set, minus "Love Like Woe" and a cover of "Give Me Your Hand" that I didn't realize I knew (as part of the promotion for it The Endless Summer covered it). I was pleased though...

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Music for Monday: Jocelyn

Happy Columbus Day! Though I am guessing most of you are still at work. That's how it usually works right? That's okay though, I've got something to help shake up your Monday, bring a little light to the gloomy day we're having around here. (What is with fall striking with a vengeance?) I know stop talking about other stuff and get to the music. That said, your Music for Monday is one of my favorite small groups of the the Midwest (Iowa specifically), Jocelyn. And trust me, these guys don't disappoint. Their EP, To You And Yours, is fantastic; something that reminds me of the likes of Cartel and Yellowcard, though all the while sounding like themselves. "Only The Best" is my favorite song on the EP, probably because it's such an anthem of sorts and it has this fantastic piano line...

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Album Review - "Good Love" EP by The Maine

I do love getting new music from bands I love, and I was more than pleased to hear that The Maine had put out a few new songs on an EP they just released. I got my hands on it as quickly as I could, far too excited to hear it, but can you blame me? Pioneer was fantastic and the Good Love EP does not disappoint. Lead singer John's sound has grown up so much and in "Take Me Dancing" it's so mature, just like the rest of the EP, but this track almost sounds like it was written and sung by someone with far more years under his belt than John has. It feels like such an insight into what the group has seen, and as it picks up it almost feels bittersweet, rejoicing in a life that's well lived, though not necessarily easily lived. It's almost haunting, and so worth riding through the entire rise...

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New Tune From Brighthouse!

With the bummer of news that The Endless Summer is no more (I had another conversation about this this past week with the guys from Jocelyn), there's new things on the horizon. Tyler, guitarist and vocalist is working on his new solo project BrightHouse and he just posted his first solo song on his soundcloud site, and I gotta tell you, it's pretty darn good. It's not hard to guess that it would be, we know he has the chops to put something together (both vocally and behind the scenes), but there's something pretty darn adorable that the little twang his voice has and the little bit of country meets rock and roll is a great sound. Don't believe me? Hit play. Trust me, you'll dig it. Keep up with BrightHouse and everything else via twitt...

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Getting Back on Track

've talked briefly about not having the urge to write, to talk about music, what I'm hearing, what's coming, any of it. I have to admit that even a trip to Warped Tour (my very first) didn't bring it out in me. I got to see some artists I've loved since Boston, some names I've always wanted to see live, and go back to the part of me that wanted nothing more than to be a high school aged scene kid (how else is there to react to seeing New Found Glory live?). Warped Tour was awesome despite the collection of bad life choices I saw around me, the sunburnt masses and that feeling that maybe I am getting too old for this. But it's been a rough summer, dealing with the overwhelming heartache and confusion that is one of my favorite bands and where their new directions have been taking them (I'm...

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The Swellers - "Running Out of Places to Go" Pre-Order

It's always a little frustration to me when I can't place when it is that I got into a band, because I always feel like there's something sort of important to the history of liking a musician. I was into really different music at 10, then completely different music at 16, then again at 21 and even now I'm still listening to more variety, but my expectations have changed drastically. Honestly, I love the whole part in "High Fidelity" when the main character is sorting his vinyl 'autobiographically'. That gives me weird chills to think about. That said, I have no idea when I or why I started following The Swellers" on Twitter. More than likely it's from when I posted about the collaboration video that they were in on with Young Statues covering "Closing Time". So, admittedly, I was surprised...

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Kyoto Drive Release Music Vide for "Breathe"

I feel like an apology is due to get us started, because it's been so long. I've been in sort of a music rut lately, listening to a lot of old stuff over and over again and very uninspired. I'm probably going to post about that too. But! Now that I'm back I've got a treat for you. English band Kyoto Drive has put out a music video for "Breathe" which is off the mini-album "The Approach", which I reviewed already. I already really enjoyed the album, so adding a video to the mix is always a good thing. The video, which was produced by Josh Patridge (who's also done work with Sell Your Sky), is stunning. It's got a great feel to it, sort of a fun boy/girl story, great for a song that's essentially about sex (a good song about sex mind you). Trust me, you need to watch this video. Kyoto...

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Album Review - "Crazy World EP" by Boys Like Girls

I have to admit I was a lot more excited for this EP than I was letting on. I have had some issues with the change in their line up (some big issues) and I've had some issues with the direction in which they seem to be promoting things, (still not sure why they released the EP and not just moved the album date up and gave us a single for the radio like Matchbox Twenty is doing but this is Boys Like Girls! They're back. It'll be an EP of Martin crooning with at least two of the best musicians floating around pop music right now backing him. Not so much. The single, "Be Your Everything" is great. I'd heard leaked versions and live acoustic versions and I still have a copy of Martin singing it by himself last summer. It's gorgeous. It's so very Boys Like Girls. Everything we missed, everything...

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Album Review - "Winds Will Change" EP by William Beckett

William Beckett's newest solo endeavor, Winds Will Change, lives up to its name. If the winds will change, they're doing just that and taking Beckett in a completely different direction than expected. Leaving behind the pop punk tunes of The Academy Is.. , which he was the former front man for, he's proving that he's more than the pretty face to front a band. We knew that, if every youtube video and cover he's posted online wasn't proof enough, Winds Will Change is the certified stamp. "Great Night" is one I heard live a little while back when he came through Atlanta, and the album version of it actually sounds a lot like the live version. It's the song played at your favorite bar that everyone sings along to and yet it's more than that....

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Music for Monday: Tyler Hilton

With him being in town it only makes sense to turn on Tyler Hilton's tunes today, just to prep for the show that I may or may not be going to. I'm still not sure. His new album, Forget the Storm is out and I do really enjoy it. It's similar to my favorite album of his (Tracks Of) but a little more rock and roll, which just makes it all the more fun. Give it a listen on Spotify and enjoy. The single off the album "Prince of Nothing Charming" is fantastic, downright perfect, an the rest of it? It's fun, easy to listen to, easy to get into while working, studying, or just doing housework. And if you feel like going back in time? Grab some of the older stuff and let yourself get sucked into it. Sure he did a stint on One Tree Hill, but that was when the show was good and honestly I always...

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Album Review: "Fire It Up EP" by Fossil Factory

On the list of eagerly awaited music for this year, the new tunes from Fossil Factory have been pretty high on the list. The genius behind this EDM group out of Boston, Mass is none other than Luke Dent, who joined Boys like Girls members, Morgan Dorr and John Keefe as part of the Empire Kids and is part of the genius behind that as well (I saw them last year with Early Morning Blues--that's a babbling fan girl post. Sorry. There's a few good shots of Luke manning the keyboard though). So trust me, I hear he's working on something new? I've spent a while, living off samplers on the soundcloud site, itching for more, studying the short list and waiting for a hint that there was more to come. And more is finally here. The EP, Fire It Up debuted...

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Thank God it's Friday the 13th

Thank God it's finally Friday right? Of course it would be a Friday the 13th, but that doesn't have to mean a bad thing right? We've had some strange weather here in Atlanta (that's what we get for complaining about how hot it was) and I think everyone spent the week recovering from the holiday weekend. The new weekend is on the horizon though and just to get you through those last few hours, here's some treats. Travis Alexander of Ghost Thrower tossed this gem up on his tumblr earlier this week and honestly this guy + a guitar might be all I need. (Okay not all, but I love it). I feel horrible sometimes because I do love when he's screaming in a mic and the whole place is burning with energy, but the fact that just him and the acoustic covering "Small Skeletal" by Crime In Stereo is this...

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Album Review: "The Approach" by Kyoto Drive

Kyoto Drive out of Birmingham, England (one of my favorite places I saw in England by the way), just put out a new mini-album, The Approach on I Am Mighty Records and it's no joke. Overall they have a really solid sound, something kind of Mayday Parade esque, but minus the constant theme of 'just how sad can I make you with a song' that Mayday has. Think lyrics like Boys Like Girls or Cartel with a Mayday sound. The intro to the mini-album, "Receive This Little Breath" can make one anxious, worrying of an overproduced, studio phenomenon to follow, but it's not. It's followed up by a strong guitar intro in "Holiday" and in the second listen-through it fits the album and does just what it needs to prime the ears. Though honestly? "Holiday"...

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Music for Monday - The Goo Goo Dolls

Champ and I road tripped to Florida to visit my family this weekend, and with that much time in the car we were sitting there, the iPod hitting Hootie and the Blowfish, The Goo Goo Dolls and Matchbox Twenty, just right in a row and all I could think was "man, remember when music was just so tragic and so good?" There really was nothing like the 90s with music that was so tragically depressing, but so beautiful that you listen to it over and over again. Take the entire Dizzy Up the Girl album. It's tragic, with songs like "Acoustic #3" and "Black Balloon", but it's gorgeous. I love it and I swear if the laser in my CD player could have worn a hole in the CD it would have. It was inevitable that I was going to put them on for the day after, while cleaning up around the house. The Goo Goo...

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Links for Thursday

Struggling to get through Thursday? You aren't alone, promise. But I have a few things to make that afternoon lull go faster and get you to Friday all the quicker. First up, A Loss For Words just released a new music video which is great. I am so excited about seeing them at Warped Tour. Can't even joke. A Boston band here in Atlanta! Check it out and see why you should be excited too! They just released a few acoustic tracks which I still need to get my hands on but it's too good to ignore. That's not enough? Check out the Young Statues Daytrotter session they recorded. Nothing these guys touch is bad and there's enough music to make that 4PM hour move a lot faster. And just in case you do need more, The Endless Summer helped out on a cover of The Ready Set's song "Give Me Your Hand...

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Album Review - Cara Salimando May EP

I think I'm developing a quick and fast girl crush on Cara Salimando. She's got a voice that just seems to cut to my core. And I don't usually like female vocalists. But man, I love this girl. Seriously. I finally got around to listening to her May EP (one a month apparently), and it's perfect. Both songs are beautiful, full of great feelings and while "Deceiver" is just that, deceiving in how heartbreaking it is, "Anthem" is tried and true. Cara's voice is impeccable, strong no matter what direction she takes it in (which is starting to become less and less necessary for singers these days, shame yes?). "Deceiver" is that song for the girl who's in that relationship she's lost faith in. While her partner might be dreaming, thinking it's perfect, but she's pulling away. "I'll pull out...

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Prepping for the Half Marathon

It's been decided. Champ and I are running a half marathon in January. I know, absolute crazy talk, but we're crazy so it happens. In prep, I've been running. Like out there on the trail by where we live running and it's been good, minus the part where the men who have twenty to thirty years on me dust me and finish two 5K loops before I can run/walk one. I'm still slow, still not quite there yet but getting there. Because it's necessary, I've started a running playlist. Of course I only got through the G's on iTunes and it's already over an hour long (which for running is a long time I think). I figure I might as well share part of it, maybe inspire you to work on your own goals (not everyone needs to have fitness goals). This is my first time using 8tracks, so bear with me as I catch...

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Music For Monday - Matchbox Twenty

It's a throwback Monday for music, with today being rooted in one of my all-time favorite bands, Matchbox Twenty. Though throwback isn't entirely accurate anymore. The guys have finished up another album and the AOL Music blog dropped the sneak peak of the single, "She's So Mean", that comes out tomorrow on their website. If you loved them before, you'll love this. It's amazing and it sounds like what we've always loved from Matchbox Twenty. Years later? They still have it. So for your Monday? Check out the new song, get super excited for the album, then go back and re listen to the old stuff. Relive all the memories that comes with that music (there's no way their albums weren't soundtracks for your life, they were for mine for sur...

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New Matchbox Twenty Single Snippet!

Matchbox Twenty is back and I couldn't be happier. Seriously, this was my band when I was younger and their music never, ever gets old. They have a new album coming out at the end of the summer, and a new single that should debut before too long. They've released a 30-second teaser snippet of it and I seriously can't wait for more. Enjoy! While you're at it, go play their "words" game on their website to get access to the snippet and to tweet your own special promo for the so...

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Some Treats To Survive Friday

How's that Friday shaping up? I know it's still one of my favorite days of the week, but nothing is worse than the post-lunch Friday slump. So I've got a few things to perk your day up, hopefully get you to 5pm (or 4pm or 3pm) sooner. A friend sent me this video this week. I'm still trying to figure out who Landon Pigg is, but the story that came with the song is that he sent the video to a girl he's interested in. Watch the video, it's cute as hell and you'll go 'aww' over my friend. I'm also kind of sure I've heard this song before, but it's likely been in a million tv shows or whatever I've watched. He's got a facebook page and I'll be cruising through that to find out more about him. (And possibly post about him again.) (Speaking of 'songs on tv' did you know the new Boys Like...

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William Beckett Releases Video for "Compromising Me"

William Beckett's video for his new single "Compromising Me" just debuted on MtvU.com (apparently the only version of the Mtv genre that plays music...shock) and it's fantastic. A little quirky, a little silly and full of William just being William. What can I say? I love it. Get More: www.mtvu.com Check it out and then pick up his new EP (if you haven't already) Walk the Talk on iTunes. Enj...

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Concert: An Evening With William Beckett

The first concert of the summer (officially given that it's Memorial Day weekend) and what looks like the last show of the summer at The Masquerade (I've been through their line up for the summer and nothing is jumping out at me) was the wisest choice I've made so far. It's going to be hard for anything to live up to this show. Things were running late due to crews and band running into some car issues on the way out of Florida, and that plus the fact that it's the Masquerade meant that there was plenty of loitering outside waiting to buy Champ a ticket (since he decided at the last minute to tag along) and waiting to get in. I didn't really mind since we were running late a little and wound up getting in early enough to get a great spot...

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Tim and Beth Fleming Wedding - Preview

I wasn't around too much the past few days, (hence the serious lack of posts) because Champ and I were headed to his brother's wedding down in Florida. I took a ton of photos, most of which I'm trying to go and edit / watermark (I'm planning to launch a facebook page for my photography...we'll see where that goes). Since you've been so patient I thought you could use a quick preview of some of my favorites. That's it for now. As I keep editing I'll put together a big, picture heavy post so you can see the best of th...

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Album Review: "For All The Lovers" by The Season Premiere

I got added on twitter by Terrence of The Season Premiere and decided to give their new EP a listen to. It's been out for a while, so this is hardly new music, but somehow these guys never crossed my path before. Odd considering they are another Tempe, AZ band and given the prevalence of Arizona bands (The Maine, My Girl Friday, This Century, The Summer Set) in my iTunes, I'm surprised that I haven't heard of them yet. They look familiar but that's all I can say I knew walking into the music. The EP they put out, For All The Lovers, has a great back beat (I love a good drummer), and while the 'single', "Anything But Love" is anything but cheesy, the rest of the EP doesn't seem to try as hard to be so something other than what they are. My favorite track is easily "Ulterior Design", a little...

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Summer Concert Plans

I think it's official yes? We can all it summer? There's some equinox I think that's next week, but I'm calling it official. It's a short list so far, but I'm expecting to hear more on concert / tour schedules in the coming weeks and hopefully can fill up the warm months with shows and friends. As of now though: May 25 - William Beckett July 26 - Warped Tour Okay it's a really short list. But! I do know Boys Like Girls will hit the road again soon and once those dates are up, expect me to be at one or two shows. (I'm a masochist what can I say?) There's a June show for The Tower and The Fool, but I'd have to make my way to Boston (I keep hoping they'll tour), and of course Music Midtown is in September, I just having committed to buying tickets yet. What am I (obviously) missing...

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New Video From Robert Schwartzman for "Second Chances"

Robert Schwartzman released a music video for "Second Chances" off his album Double Capricorn! Just as everything else he does, it's great and might even include a familiar face (like brother/actor Jason Schwartzman). You can pick up a copy of Double Capricorn in his shop and all proceeds will be donated to the Tibetan Healing Fund! Enj...

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What's Playing - "Bedroom Demos" from Travis Alexander

Woke up to a great treat today. He'd teased at the idea of working on this, that he was writing random acoustic songs and not sure what to do with them. Apparently we are lucky enough to actually get to hear them. Travis Alexander, front man of Ghost Thrower posted Bedroom Demos to his personal bandcamp, three heartbreakingly good acoustic songs, full of emotion and honesty (or what appears to be) and seemingly intent on just making my day. I've got a soft spot for Travis' voice; there's just something about it paired with an acoustic guitar. Don't get me wrong, I love Ghost Thrower, but I keep listening to the Holidays On Ice EP they put out (in the warm weather months) because it's showing off that voice. This set of demos is what I needed (that isn't..."Blue Christmas" considering it's...

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Music For Monday - William Beckett

What better for a slightly rainy Monday (how much of my music choices are linked to weather?), but something uplifting, something with enough backing to it that you can't help but ignore the rain? I want to make my Monday a good one and focus on the little bits of sun poking through. With that in mind, I've got the new EP from William Beckett, Walk the Talk, playing, waking up the day (even if it is already the afternoon). It's a great sound, especially for a girl who fell in love with William the first time I saw him head up his band, The Academy Is... when they opened for The All American Rejects (many eons ago). The sound is different from TAI, but not in a bad way. It's got a foot tapping kind of sound, something that reminds me of Rooney...

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Concert - Sweetlife Festival 2012

Super awesome bonus post! My buddy, Wolfman (no I didn't come up with the nickname--he's not a Seth Green lookalike hacker, because I've seen that episode of SeaQuest enough to only think of that) hit up the Sweetlife Festival on April 28 and since he was there, I coaxed him into a guest post about the festival! Enjoy yourself. - kt Bright and early on the morning of April 28, my three friends and I set out to the Merriweather Post Pavilion for a day of music and fun known as the Sweetlife Festival. It was a giant event put on by the Sweetgreen Corporation. There were two stages with musical acts performing on them all day long and hoards of food and drink venders from the area sampling their goods. Since we arrived early and were first...

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