Album Review – Stages & Stereos “Small Town Favorites”

Last week the day I’ve been waiting for finally arrived. Stages & Stereos released their new album, Small Town Favorites. We’ve already heard the title track single, which was fantastic, but barely skimmed the surface of what the EP had to offer. It’s five tracks of excellence all reminding me, not of Mayday Parade (as Stages has in the past) but of the elite alternative rockers of radio fame. I could hear these songs being played alongside groups like Phoenix or The Naked and Famous. “Cool to be Vain” has a groovy dance feel to it, and while I tend to rebel against a produced synth backing, it gives this song depth like it should. It’s more than just a dance song, not with the first line of the chorus being “I want to smile like I used to”. But all it does is add to the feel, the...

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Concert - Our Last Night and Lions, Lions

It’s a little embarrassing to admit that I discovered Our Last Night because the two frontmen (brothers Matt and Trevor Wentworth) are models for Johnny Cupcakes. I did dig a little deeper and investigated their actual music, which falls squarely into post-hardcore. It’s a great genre and a solid scene but honestly it’s not really my scene (as often as I dabble there and sometimes wish it was). But the best discovery I made? Their acoustic tracks on YouTube. That I can get behind. If you’re only going to watch one video, I’d choose their cover of “Skyfall”, the James Bond theme by Adele. It is shockingly good. Their reinterpretation of her ballad into a rock song is something I never would have thought of, but these brothers can handle...

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A friend sent me this link today: http://www.ohshelteringsky.com/ It seemed odd at first but ended up being this neat interactive thing that eventually leads to a video. It’s pretty darn cool, but I’m mostly intrigued by the song that’s playing in the background. Whatever it is, it’s great. If you happen to know, post it as a comment below. I’ll let you know if I find out more, but check it out now, let me know what you think!...

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Concert - Stages and Stereos Acoustic Show

If you follow this blog then you should already know about Stages and Stereos. This fall is shaping up to be a great season for them with their latest single, “Small Town Favorites” dropping a few weeks ago. In case you couldn’t guess, I already love it. They also got picked up as the opener on the Glamour Kills tour with some other names you might know: Mayday Parade, Cartel, and Man Overboard. The new EP of the same name, Small Town Favorites, drops on September 24, aka this Tuesday! I’ll be out of town when it drops, but I’m looking forward to downloading it the moment I get back. If the first tune was any indicator of what the rest of the album might be, it’s going to be great. Stages recently came through town to play an intimate acoustic set while supporting Brooks from Mayday Parade’s...

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New Song From Ghost Thrower "Halloween In Brooklyn"

Mostly, I'm just going to put this here: I can talk about how good the new Ghost Thrower track, "Halloween in Brooklyn", is, how their sound has changed a little, but in a good way, how Travis' voice has gotten better, all of that. But you can tell that just by listening to it. I can talk about the video itself, which is a series of photos and moments from over the years, many of which I've seen on instagram or twitter, shots of friends, and maybe even a show or two I was actually at. I can talk about how I've never been so jealous of a friend group in my life, because they seem like they have fun. Lots of it. But I'm guessing you're feeling the same way. What I want to talk about is how you need to mark your calendars. The self-titled full length that this track is on will be available...

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Cage the Elephant Releases New Single "Come a Little Closer"

I haven't talked about them much, but my old friends from Cage the Elephant have just finished up studio time on their newest album. They also released the first single off the album. I've known these guys in some form of the band for well over a decade, having gone to school with frontman Matt, guitarist Brad and drummer Jared. I first got into shows watching these guys play a coffee house in our home town. I guess I have them to blame for all you see before you. Maybe blame isn't the right word either. That said, the new track is fantastic. As always, CTE goes off on their own way, doesn't bother with whatever they did before this moment and just pushes forward with what's new, what they're feeling. And apparently they're feeling amazing things. Check it out and let me know what you...

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Songs from Stages and Stereos and Jocelyn Available Today

Two new songs went up on iTunes today, be sure to pick them up! First up is the newest single from Stages and Stereos, "Small Town Favorites" which I featured here just the other day. Make sure you pick it up and jam out until the EP comes out next month. Also up today is Jocelyn's new track "Miss America" which is also a preview for their upcoming EP as well. I'm definitely digging the sound if the new tune and can't wait for more. Enjoy! &nb...

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Introducing - TEAM

Last night, the elusive members of the band TEAM took to the Gunz Show and finally revealed their identities. The announcement captured quite a bit of attention, considering the band is comprised mostly of former/current members of other bands. Most notably around this blog is Bryan Donahue, ex bassist of Boys Like Girls who spent the spring touring with All Time Low. Also in the mix are Caleb Turman (Forever the Sickest Kids), Rico Garcia (Colours), Jay Vilardi (The Almost) and Ally Hoffmann. You can get caught up with the interview Gunz did with Caleb and Rico below. The rumors I’d heard about this project had me excited for what was to come and to hear things announced properly. The first track and the accompanying video can be seen here: They’re both awesome and made me an instant...

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Music for Monday - Sleep On It

There's something new brewing out of Chicago, IL and I have the pleasure of knowing one of the guys in the new pop punk group Sleep On It. They're currently working on a studio album, but you can check out the demos they've already put together on their bandcamp or right here. Demos by sleep on it I'm not the biggest fan of "Out in the Cold" because it's a bit too Blink 182 for me, but even if you don't dig it, stick it out and give the other two tracks a shot. They're less trite and definitely full of potential. Think something a little like A Loss For Words meets Man Overboard maybe? It's a throwback to how the genre used to sound, which is actually kind of nice. I love the direction that pop punk has taken, but it's nice to throw it back a from time to time. I'm looking forward to seeing...

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Stages and Stereos - New EP and Tour Update!

I've mentioned the guys from Stages and Stereos before, but not with a stack of news like this. They've got a new EP coming out next month! The single off the EP "Small Town Favorites" is up on Sound Cloud and will be available on iTunes next week! It might be a deviation from the Anchorless EP, but if you go back and listen to the older Stages and Stereos, this seems like a completely natural progression. The vocals are just as stunning though as Anchorless, possibly even more refined. I definitely take to this song, being from a small town as well and knowing the exact feeling in the message and lyrics, but I think it's relatable for anyone who's wanted to be more. The guys will also be be hitting the road in the Florida/Georgia area...

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